The experience of Limburg: from the coal crisis to economic recovery

The Dutch province of Limburg became the first region in Europe to abandon coal mining, undergo a just transition, and diversify its economy. Ukraine, where coal communities are currently on the path of just transition, can learn a lot from the Dutch experience.

60 years ago, Limburg was a major coal mining region in Europe, with 70% of its population directly or indirectly dependent on the mines. In 1965, it was announced that the mines would be closed due to prolonged unprofitability. As a result, 45,000 mining workers lost their jobs, along with another 30,000 workers indirectly connected to the supply sectors.

The government developed a detailed plan for a just transition, combining short-term and long-term strategies. The short-term measures included compensation for workers and retraining of miners, while the long-term strategy focused on economic diversification, infrastructure development, and investments in technology and education for future generations. During this time, two new universities were established, and the Regional Development Agency was brought in to promote entrepreneurship and employment, addressing the problem of youth unemployment.

Another forward-thinking decision was to attract a variety of industries to the region, ensuring that diversification wasn't reliant on one or two large corporations but focused on the development of small and medium-sized businesses. Over time, many business projects turned into successful enterprises that now form the industrial backbone of the region. Since 1975, over 100 companies have been attracted to the Limburg province.

Today, the key industries in the region are agri-food, biomedical, chemical, healthcare, intellectual services, European logistics, high-tech systems, and tourism.

As a result, Limburg became the first region in Europe to successfully abandon coal mining and implement a just transition. Its industry shifted from a mono-sector economy to a diversified one.