Blueprint for Just Transition
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Big changes are not always embraced by communities—especially when it comes to losing a major economic underpinning, like a coal mine or coal-fired power plant. But there are ways to turn big changes into opportunities, and there are many communities that are doing just that. When you embrace change, you create your own future.
The Just Transition Fund's Blueprint for Transition is a comprehensive online resource to help coal communities and local leaders create an equitable, sustainable, and inclusive future. It includes information and resources for community-based nonprofits and municipal leaders in places where a coal asset has closed or is closing. This is an ongoing project of the Just Transition Fund, so please check back as we will continue to update and add to the site with resources to assist with planning, policy, and economic development as well as case studies of successful transitions.
Each of these steps is intertwined with one another. And each should be considered an ongoing part of a transition plan.
For example, you’ll need a strong leadership team to find the facts and identify diverse stakeholders—and as you learn more and engage these stakeholders, you may find new leadership in the process. Using facts and data will help ground community conversations, while creating a long-term vision will likely mean researching new information for your planning.
You’re not alone.
If your community is interested in receiving technical assistance from JTF or discussing your transition efforts, please complete our Technical Assistance Request form.
Communities that lose a major employer like a coal mine or power plant can feel isolated and forgotten, but you are not alone. Communities just like yours have successfully dealt with the same issues, are dealing with them now, or will in the not-too-distant future. Some of these communities may even be your neighbors.
We know these strategies are effective from our experience working in and with distressed communities, and having tracked previous transitions. If your community follows this approach, you’ll increase your ability to grow and thrive in the long term.
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