Coal regions in transition. The role of the Just Transition Fund

The aim of this report is to assess how Just Transition Fund (JTF) resources are being used in Poland, with particular attention to the relationship between the Fund’s compensatory role in the transition process and its function as a broader instrument of regional development policy. The analysis is based on monitoring data for projects with signed funding agreements as of 1 March 2026, as well as on strategic documents from five regions representing different transition models: active mining transition (Silesia – the largest beneficiary), the phase-out of an existing mining and energy complex (Wielkopolskie and Łódzkie), and post-industrial transition (Dolnośląskie and Małopolskie). We estimate that JTF support covered around 97.5 thousand people, or approximately 0.9% of the population of transition areas, while the projects implemented are expected to create around 4.8 thousand jobs. Although the allocation of funds across economic, social, energy-related and environmental objectives is relatively balanced, significant regional differences are evident. Local governments are the main beneficiaries of the JTF, and the Fund plays a particularly important role in transition regions, especially Wielkopolskie and Dolnośląskie. The report recommends maintaining support for comprehensive and network-based projects if the JTF is discontinued, strengthening the capacity of local governments to implement such projects, better reflecting the territorial dimension of support, and giving clear preference to projects that generate tangible results, including stable jobs.