The EU Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition is excited to announce the opening of a new call for applications to receive specialized technical assistance through the START program. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their applications by 23 February 2024.
START, short for Support for Transition Assistance in Regions Today, is a program designed to provide tailored support for regions and communities affected by the transition away from fossil fuels. Its primary focus is on decarbonizing energy production and usage, diversifying economic activities, and promoting social development.
Building on the extensive experience of the Secretariat for Coal Regions in Transition, which has been providing targeted technical assistance to EU coal+ regions for five years, START aims to fill gaps and complement other capacity-building instruments. The program leverages the expertise gained from the Secretariat’s international arm, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange in just transition efforts globally.
Who can apply?
Applications are invited from public administrations, civil society organizations, and smaller regional actors such as municipalities and groupings of municipalities actively contributing to the transition process. This round of START particularly welcomes projects related to local and regional aspects of energy transition, including community-based renewable energy initiatives, energy efficiency, capacity development, and repurposing local assets for the energy transition.
Multiple opportunities for coal+ regions
The current call for applications presents various technical assistance programs, highlighting the vital role coal+ regions play in Europe’s journey towards becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Stakeholders are encouraged to apply for more than one technical assistance program.
How to apply?
Interested parties can access the START application form, guidelines, a one-page START summary document in nine languages, and information about previous START recipients on the START webpage. Completed applications will be accepted until the 23 February 2024 deadline.
Need assistance or have questions?
For inquiries about START and the application process, please email secretariat@coalregions.eu with the subject line “START: query.” Potential applicants can also request a short (30-minute) consultation discussion about their application by contacting the Secretariat with the subject line “START: consultation request.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to the sustainable transition of coal+ regions. Apply now and be a part of shaping a more environmentally friendly and economically resilient future.
For more information, visit https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/oil-gas-and-coal/eu-coal-regions-transition/start-technical-assistance_en
