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Grant Details

Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to address serious social, economic, and environmental challenges arising from the transition towards the EU's 2030 climate and energy targets and the objective of climate neutrality by 2050. It does this by providing grants in combination with European Investment Bank (EIB) loans to public sector entities for investments that do not generate sufficient revenue to cover their costs. - Target recipient type and size: Public law bodies or bodies governed by private law entrusted with a public service mission. Organizational size is not specified. - SECTOR-SPECIFIC: This grant specifically targets sustainable investments within sectors impacted by the transition to a climate-neutral economy, as outlined in Territorial Just Transition Plans. - Geographic scope: EU Member States. Projects must benefit territories identified in approved Territorial Just Transition Plans. - Key filtering criteria: The applicant must be an eligible public or public service-oriented body, the project must be linked to an EIB framework loan, and it must align with the objectives of the Just Transition Mechanism and relevant climate goals. - Grant frequency: This is a recurring opportunity through a rolling call for proposals with multiple annual cut-off deadlines, extending until September 2025.

Financial Structure

  • Grants are provided as a component of financing alongside a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
  • Grants are provided as financing not linked to costs, meaning the amount is not directly tied to specific eligible expenditures.
  • The grant amount cannot exceed 15% of the loan amount provided by the Finance Partner for the project.
  • For projects located in less developed regions, the grant amount can be up to 25% of the loan amount provided by the Finance Partner.
  • The total available grant budget for this Facility is up to EUR 1,459,500,000.
  • Financial capacity assessment is a requirement for applicants, but public sector bodies established in an EU Member State (e.g., regional or local authorities, bodies governed by public law, or their associations) are exempt from this check.
  • Grant disbursement is conditional on the signature of the corresponding financing agreements between the Finance Partner (EIB) and the successful applicants.
  • Union support awarded to projects in a specific Member State will not exceed pre-allocated national shares.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type
  • Legal entities established in an EU Member State.
  • Public law bodies.
  • Bodies governed by private law entrusted with a public service mission.
Geographic Location
  • Established in an EU Member State.
  • Projects must benefit a territory covered by an approved Territorial Just Transition Plan.
Project Requirements
  • Projects must be linked to a framework loan provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB). Loans from other banks or EIB financial intermediaries are not eligible for JTM funding under this topic.
  • Projects must aim to address serious social, economic, and environmental challenges stemming from the transition towards the EU's 2030 climate and energy targets and 2050 climate neutrality.
  • A 'Project' can encompass a 'set of Projects' provided it is supported by a 'Loan Scheme'.
Financial Capacity
  • Applicants must demonstrate stable and sufficient resources to successfully implement projects and contribute their share.
  • Public sector bodies (regional/local authorities, public law bodies, or associations thereof) are exempt from the financial capacity check.
Operational Capacity
  • Applicants must possess the necessary know-how, qualifications, and resources to successfully implement projects and contribute their share, including sufficient experience in projects of comparable size and nature.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Projects relating to the decommissioning or construction of nuclear power stations are excluded.
  • Projects related to the manufacturing, processing, and marketing of tobacco and tobacco products are excluded.
  • Projects supporting undertakings in difficulty (as defined in Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014, Article 2, point 18) are excluded, unless authorized under specific temporary State aid rules or de minimis aid for energy cost reduction.
  • Investments related to the production, processing, transport, distribution, storage, or combustion of fossil fuel are explicitly excluded.

Application Process

Application Process
  • The Facility operates under a rolling call for proposals.
  • Applications must be submitted through the Electronic Submission Service.
  • The application process involves a two-stage assessment: first by the Commission for grant selection, and then by the Finance Partner (EIB) for loan approval. Both approvals are essential for funding.
Key Dates and Deadlines
  • The call for proposals was launched in July 2022 and will run until December 2025.
  • Applications are accepted via multiple cut-off submission deadlines. The latest indicated deadline is 2025-09-11.
Required Documentation
  • Standard application form (JTM).
  • A 'Calculator' (Financial information file) specific to JTM LS PSLF.
  • A 'Simplified business plan' (JTM).
  • For financial capacity assessment (unless exempt public sector bodies): documents such as profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, business plans, and audit reports from the last closed financial year.
  • Documents attesting to the applicant's operational capacity, including know-how, qualifications, resources, and experience in similar projects.
Support and Assistance
  • Advisory support is available for the preparation, development, and implementation of eligible projects, including assistance prior to proposal submission.
  • Applicants can contact the dedicated email address [email protected] for call-related questions.
  • IT helpdesk support is available for technical issues related to the submission system, access rights, and passwords.
  • An 'Online Manual' provides a step-by-step guide through the portal processes, from proposal preparation to reporting.

Evaluation Criteria

General Assessment Process
  • Proposals undergo an initial assessment by the Commission, followed by an approval process for the associated loan by the Finance Partner (European Investment Bank - EIB).
  • Both the grant selection by the Commission and the loan approval by the EIB are mandatory for a project to receive Union support.
  • Proposals are evaluated against admissibility, eligibility, selection, and award criteria detailed in the call.
Award Criteria
  • Relevance and Impact:
    • Extent to which the proposed project aligns with the call's themes, priorities, and objectives.
    • Contribution to the overall EU strategic and legislative context.
    • Potential for project results to be replicated or utilized in other countries.
    • Potential to foster mutual trust or cross-border cooperation.
    • Contribution to specific development needs and priorities outlined in the relevant Territorial Just Transition Plan.
    • Significance of the grant component in enabling the overall Project or set of Projects.
    • Contribution to the broader objective of promoting regional and territorial convergence.
    • Demonstrated positive environmental impact, including strict adherence to the 'do no significant harm' principle.
  • Quality:
    • Soundness of the project's implementation plan from both technical and financial perspectives.
    • The project's state of preparation and its readiness to commence by the proposed start date and to be completed by the proposed end date (not applicable for 'sets of Projects').
    • Status of necessary contracting procedures and permits (not applicable for 'sets of Projects').
    • Clarity and completeness of information regarding financial availability to complement the blended support (grant and loan).
    • Quality of the architectural and design approach.
    • Effectiveness of organizational structures in place or foreseen for project implementation.
    • Comprehensive risk analysis and proposed mitigation strategies.
    • Robust control procedures and quality management systems.
    • Coherence and effectiveness of the applicant's communication strategy.
    • (When applicable) Information related to the proposed maintenance strategy for the completed Project or set of Projects.
Prioritisation Criteria (Applied if financial resources are insufficient to fund all selected proposals)
  • Projects or sets of Projects located in less developed regions (as defined by Article 108(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060).
  • Projects that contribute directly to achieving the Union's 2030 climate and energy targets and the 2050 climate neutrality objective.
  • Projects promoted by applicants who have adopted decarbonisation plans. The call for proposals will specify the relative importance and ranking order of these criteria.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance
  • Projects must comply with Regulation (EU) 2021/1229 on the Public Sector Loan Facility under the Just Transition Mechanism.
  • Compliance with Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 establishing the Just Transition Fund (JTF Regulation) is required.
  • Projects must be consistent with, and directly benefit, territories covered by an approved Territorial Just Transition Plan.
Ethical and Social Standards
  • Respect for fundamental rights and compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, particularly gender equality, must be ensured.
  • Discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation is prohibited.
  • Accessibility for persons with disabilities must be considered and implemented where relevant.
  • Projects must align with the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Environmental and Sustainability Standards
  • Adherence to the 'polluter pays' principle is mandatory.
  • Compliance with the Paris Agreement is required.
  • Projects must adhere to the 'do no significant harm' principle.
  • The Facility's objectives are pursued in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Operational Specifics
  • A critical requirement is that projects must be linked to a framework loan provided directly by the European Investment Bank (EIB). Loans from other banks or EIB financial intermediaries cannot benefit from JTM funding under this specific topic.
  • Projects may commence their implementation phase prior to the submission of a proposal for this grant.
Special Considerations
  • The grant component is designed to complement EIB loans for public sector projects that are financially challenging due to insufficient revenue generation.
  • Advisory support is a key feature of this Facility, available to help potential beneficiaries, particularly in less developed regions, with project preparation and development.

Grant Details

just transition public sector loan facility climate action energy transition environmental challenges social challenges economic challenges sustainable investment renewable energy green mobility green hydrogen district heating energy efficiency urban renewal circular economy land restoration ecosystem restoration biodiversity upskilling reskilling training social infrastructure social housing public research digitalisation waste management water management cross-border projects ecological disasters climate neutrality european investment bank eib eu funding eu member states territorial just transition plans jtm pslf public law body public service mission
PSLF-LOAN SCHEMES
45266306JTMLumpSumGrants1658188800000
Public Sector Loan Facility under the Just Transition Mechanism
PUBLIC OTHER
BE BG CZ DK DE EE IE EL ES FR HR IT CY LV LT LU HU MT NL AT PL PT RO SI SK FI SE
ENERGY ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORTATION EDUCATION SOCIAL OTHER
DEVELOPMENT MATURE
OTHER
SDG3 SDG4 SDG7 SDG9 SDG11 SDG13 SDG15
FUNDING MENTORSHIP
1459500000.00
1875000.00
31250000.00
EUR
15.00
Sept. 11, 2025, midnight
October 2022 - January 2023