Ukrainian Civil Society Delegation Learns About the TriLand Project

On October 26, a delegation of civil society stakeholders from Ukraine visited Görlitz. The focus of their week-long study tour through Lusatia is the topic of “Just Transition” in the context of the phase-out of coal. Prof. Robert Knippschild from the IZS presented the challenges, successes, and weaknesses of structural change in Lusatia, as well as the approach of the German-Polish cooperation project TriLand and the experiences gained so far. During the discussion, it became clear how important it is—in addition to structural policy funding—to shape governance processes for a just transition, particularly with regard to the involvement of civil society and local governments. The representatives were very interested in both the positive experiences and the ongoing challenges in Germany, as well as the current formation of a regional interest group comprising municipalities and businesses in Poland (Turów Subregion Committee). At the same time, the diversity, professionalism, and commitment of civil society initiatives in Ukraine—given the country’s current extreme framework conditions—were impressive. The study tour is coordinated and funded by the International Renaissance Foundation and GIZ.