Editorial: The transformation of post-industrial areas and territorial aspects of Just Transition Fund implementation

Abstract

An introductory text discusses the Just Transition Fund’s core assumptions and origin, in the process revealing stages to the evolution of the approach taken – in the direction of ‘green economy’ assumptions. Activities financed within the framework of the Fund are identified, in respect of the restructuring of Poland’s mining regions. Examples of fields of intervention are then discussed by reference to the Terytorialny Plan Sprawiedliwej Transformacji Województwa Śląskiego 2030, i.e. the 2030 Territorial Plan for the Just Transition of Poland’s Śląskie Voivodeship, in Silesia. A particularly important aspect here is the timetable for closures of mines and conventional power plants. The material also presents selected data on the significance of mining and the extractive industries in both their social and economic dimensions. Particular attention is here paid to the labour-market consequences of the Just Transition. The references are to levels of pay in the sector referred to, as well as the wealth characterising the relevant Polish gminas (areas of local-governmental administration) – as an alternative way of looking at the entire process. The article also points to a large number of research aspects linking up with transitioning in the economy and requiring further study and analysis. Overall, the work points to the challenges that regions subject to restructuring are going to be faced with.