From bogs to Brussels: Putting communities first in Europe’s Just Transition

The European Parliament speech writers love their catchy one-liner slogans. When it comes to the move to de-carbonation, they regularly quote an attractive phrase from the legislation that set up the Just Transition Fund (JTF) that stresses the importance that ‘nobody is left behind’ by the transition. I wonder if they really mean that, writes Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly.

As rapporteur for the European Parliament’s report on the Just Transition Fund, I was tasked with critically examining how it is working for communities across the EU, and with proposing targeted measures to ensure it delivers for people whose lives have been upended by the transition away from carbon-intensive industries. This is not just a technical exercise; it is about making sure that justice comes before transition, so that no region or worker is left behind as we move towards a carbon-neutral economy.

The JTF was created to help regions like the Irish midlands, Silesia in Poland, and others facing the closure of major carbon intensive employers and the erosion of entire local economies. In many of these places, tens of thousands of jobs have been lost, triggering demographic shifts and economic stagnation. If we fail to address these issues adequately, we risk deepening regional inequalities and increasing economic inactivity. The reality is that each region has its own unique challenges, so we need flexible, tailored solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Yet, the excessive administrative burden and complex rules have discouraged uptake of the fund, particularly for community and voluntary groups who often struggle to access support without outside help. This is why I have called for a radical simplification of procedures to truly benefit those who need this fund, while preserving the shared management model that is essential for accountability.

The JTF must do more than just address immediate challenges. It should lay the groundwork for a sustainable economic future. With rapid technological change and major geopolitical shifts, I believe we need a post-2027 JTF II, with greater financial resources and a renewed commitment to partnership and shared management. Strategic plans must be prepared in every Member State, with a focus on reaching social agreements with workers affected by the transition, especially over the period from 2025 to 2049. We need to simplify the process for making use of local lands, buildings, and other assets for new employment projects, especially in renewables, and ensure that local communities, social enterprises, and the private sector are all involved. I am also urging the Commission to encourage Member States to fully implement the provisions of European Directive 2019/994 relating to Citizen Energy Communities, so that citizens can play an active role in shaping their own energy futures.

To understand why this matters so much, it is important to look at the backdrop in the Irish midlands. For generations, Bord na Móna and the ESB were not just employers-they were the backbone of entire communities. Bord na Móna, established in the 1940s, was central to the development of the peatlands, building houses and even schools for its workers families. By the 1950s, the company was constructing hundreds of homes in towns and villages across the midlands, and the ESB’s rural electrification scheme brought power and new opportunities to communities. In places like Lanesborough, County Longford, and Shannonbridge, County Offaly, these companies shaped the landscape and the local identity.

When the transition came, it was abrupt and deeply disruptive. As someone who grew up in Lanesborough I lived through the Bord na Móna and ESB era. I saw first-hand the devastation that followed the closure of the power stations and bogs. The loss of jobs was not just an economic blow; it was a blow to the heart of the community. People who had worked for these companies for decades were suddenly left with little support and few prospects. In truth, there were many, many people who were left behind by the closures – taking early retirement or voluntary redundancies.

My own experience as a community volunteer in the midlands gave me a close-up view of the challenges. I spent years helping local groups apply for JTF funding for community enterprises, and I saw how difficult it was to navigate the bureaucracy and secure the match funding needed for even the most worthwhile projects. Later, as the JTF Tourism Activator for County Longford, I worked directly with community groups and local businesses to help them access new grants and opportunities to regenerate their areas. I loved this work, but it also made me acutely aware of the obstacles that stand in the way of real progress.

Now, as an MEP and rapporteur for the JTF, I have experienced every side of this fund. I have listened to the concerns of former Bord na Móna and ESB workers, their families, and the community groups trying to rebuild. I have also travelled to other JTF regions, including Poland’s coal mining areas, where the scale of the transition is even greater. In Silesia, I saw both the similarities and the differences: while the social and economic impact is just as profound, the Polish government and trade unions have negotiated a social contract that gives workers until 2049 to transition, with job guarantees, retraining, and social protection built in. This long-term approach stands in stark contrast to the rapid transition faced by communities in the Irish midlands.

Through all of this, my focus remains on ensuring that the JTF is truly effective for those who need it most. That means simplifying the rules, cutting red tape, and giving communities the time and support they need to make the positive changes that the fund promises. It means ensuring that strategic planning, social dialogue, and community engagement are at the heart of every transition plan. Most of all, it means putting people first.