EU support for a fair energy transition in the Western Balkans launched in Sarajevo

EU support for a fair energy transition in the Western Balkans launched in Sarajevo

European Union-funded regional project will support regions, industries and workers in moving towards a fair, credible and investment-ready energy transition

The project "European Union Support to Facilitate a Just Transition for Western Balkans Regions, Industries and Workers" was launched today in Sarajevo, bringing together representatives of the European Union, France, institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regional organisations, municipalities, civil society sector and partners from across the Western Balkans.

Funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France, the initiative aims to support Western Balkan partners in translating energy-transition objectives into practical steps that protect people, strengthen local development and help prepare credible pathways towards finance and implementation.

The launch event opened with remarks by Adebayo Babajide, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina; H.E. François Delmas, Ambassador of France to Bosnia and Herzegovina; Branka Knežević, Head of the Department for Primary Energy and Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Nicolas Chenet, Director of the Sustainable Development Department at Expertise France. The discussion that followed focused on just-transition plans and challenges in the Western Balkans, with contributions from the Energy Community Secretariat, Bosnia and Herzegovina institutions, entity-level ministries, municipalities including Kakanj and Ugljevik, and the project team.

"I am glad that we have launched this regional project in Sarajevo. Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to some of the Western Balkans' most important coal regions, which will be at the centre of the transition to a cleaner and more competitive energy future. Through JET Balkans, the European Union is supporting coal regions across the region in developing the skills, plans and investments needed for a fair transition. The direction is clear: the European Union is moving towards a climate-neutral economy and candidate countries are expected to advance on this path in line with their European perspective. Through its just transition policy and a Team Europe approach with France and regional partners, we are committed to ensuring that this transition protects workers and communities. The opportunity is there and the resources are there. What matters now is making them work for people on the ground," said Adebayo Babajide, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Just transition is where technical cooperation can add real value: by helping partners move from policy objectives to implementation that is fair, practical and trusted. This project will support evidence-based choices, structured dialogue, territorial analysis, workforce-related work, financing preparation and selected pilot initiatives that institutions and local actors can actually use. Together with the European Union, and partners across the Western Balkans, Expertise France looks forward to supporting a transition that is credible, inclusive and useful for the regions, industries, workers and communities most concerned." stated Nicolas Chenet, Director of the Sustainable Development Department, Expertise France

Across the Western Balkans, the energy transition will unfold in different ways, reflecting the specific economic, industrial, institutional and social realities of each partner. Coal-dependent communities, industrial centres, municipalities and workers face different risks and opportunities, which is why support will be shaped around local realities rather than a one-size-fits-all model. The initiative will also connect partners across the region, helping them exchange experience and turn shared challenges into practical solutions.

Over the coming months, work will begin with consultations across the region, a clearer mapping of transition needs, and the collection of data needed to guide future support where it can have the strongest impact.

About the project

"European Union Support to Facilitate a Just Transition for Western Balkans Regions, Industries and Workers" is an EU-funded regional project implemented by Expertise France in partnership with the Slovenian Centre for International Cooperation and Development. The project supports the preparation of fair, credible and practical transition pathways by connecting evidence, dialogue, policy coordination, financing preparation and regional knowledge-sharing.