As part of the BOLSTER project, which aims to connect organizations with marginalized communities for better local sustainability in Europe, on March 21st ECAS hosted the 8th Regional Policy, focused on sharing ideas and learning about creating fair and environmentally friendly transitions. During this meeting, participants discussed how energy and climate policies are developed at the European Union level and how they are put into action at the local level, along with the effects these policies have on communities.
Key contributions included:
- Dr. Michiel Stapper (Tilburg University, 🇳🇱) – Traced the concept of just transition from labour roots to current socio-spatial and policy contexts. Emphasised the role of reskilling, inclusive engagement, and policy grammars to bridge social and environmental goals.
- Ana Maria Elian (MKBT, 🇷🇴) – Highlighted challenges in Prahova, Romania, where economic legacies and governance gaps hinder effective local transitions.
- Nevelina Pachova (RMIT Europe, 🇪🇸) – Shared insights from León, Spain, showing how industrial decline and community marginalisation shape local participation in environmental justice efforts.
Panel discussion included:
- Prof. David Evers (U. Amsterdam & UGoveRN): On aligning multi-scalar governance for coherent transitions.
- Andre Legarza (U. Amsterdam & UGoveRN): On the embedded nature of carbon-intensive industries in local life.
- Prof. Tobias Arnoldussen (Tilburg U. & UGoveRN): On rethinking legal frameworks to support marginalised communities better.
Main takeaways:
- Integrate social, environmental and economic goals
- Coordinate across EU, national and local levels
- Adapt to local histories and cultures
- Reform legal frameworks to reduce inequalities
- Balance top-down funding with bottom-up participation
A truly just energy transition requires more than policies, it demands coherence across governance levels, inclusive engagement and deep awareness of local realities.
The recording of the dialogue is available below and presentations can be downloaded HERE.
A more detailed summary can be consulted HERE.
