Important Government Decision for Ukraine’s Coal Communities

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved Resolution No. 1493, which for the first time at the national level defines functional types of territories — with clear criteria, indicators, and official data sources. For coal communities, this decision is of strategic importance.

What does the resolution change?

1. Coal communities have been granted an official status — “Just Transition Territories,” and therefore a status with special development conditions.

Communities with mines, thermal power plants, enterprises undergoing liquidation or restructuring, as well as communities located within a 30-kilometer impact zone, are now clearly defined as a distinct functional type of territory.

2. New opportunities for attracting funding

Thanks to their defined status, communities can now reasonably apply for:

– national and regional development programs;

– special transformation funds;

– international technical assistance;

– participation in future European Just Transition programs.

An official classification is a strong argument considered by donors and partners.

This helps communities to:

– define their status more accurately;

– develop sound strategies;

– prepare high-quality applications;

– justify their needs using official data.

3. Expansion of territories involved in the transformation

Importantly, the just-transition status is granted not only to communities hosting coal mines, but also to those economically dependent on them or located within their impact zone, as well as to communities whose administrative centers are mono-functional, industrial, or post-industrial settlements.

4. Building the foundation for future state programs

The resolution creates a basis for:

– energy transition planning;

– economic modernization;

– investments in new industries;

– workforce reskilling;

– infrastructure development.

Such a regulatory framework is essential to ensure that the transformation of coal regions is systemic rather than fragmented.

This decision creates a legislative foundation on which long-term support for communities in their transformation process can be built.

The Association will continue working to ensure that coal communities have access to the resources, tools, and partnerships they need for development throughout the just transition.

We thank the Government, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine for their consistent support of Ukraine’s coal communities.