European support accelerates energy transition in Dutch regions

Energy transition is a current challenge for many companies. Fossil fuels are giving way to sustainable alternatives, and this requires not only a plan, but also concrete action. Since 2023, the European Just Transition Fund (JTF) has been supporting regions that rely heavily on fossil fuels in their transition to a climate-neutral economy.

Circular Batteries in Western North Brabant

This is how the JTF in the Western North Brabant region is helping an innovative company that reuses worn-out bicycle batteries. Battery use is expected to increase 100-fold, and they are anticipating this.Where before these bicycle batteries would be destroyed and incinerated, they are now being reused in a circular hub for a European battery ecosystem. This not only contributes to the climate, but also ensures European independence from raw materials normally sourced from Africa, Latin America or China.

New labor market opportunities in Groningen-Emmen

In the Groningen-Emmen region, the fund supports the labor market of tomorrow. There, young people are being future-proof trained. Employees from the Groningen gas sector are being retrained to continue their careers in emission-free sectors.

Cooperation and innovation in IJmond

And sustainability is also a big task in the IJmond region. There the JTF supports an incubator of SME entrepreneurs to scale up green innovation and bring it to the market. Thus, competitors become each other's partners in sustainability and the energy transition is eased and accelerated in the region.

European and national cooperation

The impact of the JTF is possible thanks to support from the European Commission. In the Netherlands, the program is implemented by the three intermediary agencies: Kansen voor West (West Netherlands), SNN (North Netherlands) and Stimulus program management (South Netherlands). Under the coordination of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, and in close cooperation with provinces and municipalities in the participating regions.

Businesses and initiatives active in the transition regions can apply for subsidies from one of the intermediary bodies during the program period until 2027.