Coal mining has traditionally been one of the key sectors of Ukrainian national economy. However, communities are now experiencing the consequences of the coal industry’s decline and require new drivers of development. This situation is further aggravated by the challenges of the full‑scale invasion, which have significantly affected the country’s energy security and economic capacity. 

To support coal communities in creating new opportunities for people and the local economy, East Europe Foundation is implementing the ROOTS (Regional Opportunities for Just Transition and Sustainable Development) grant program. 

ROOTS covers regions that already have, or are in the process of developing, an  Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTPs) – a roadmap for moving from coal dependence to economic sustainability. Within the program, we will strengthen up to 15 projects that will implement these Plans into definite solutions. 

Grants ranging from 3 million to 5 million hryvnias each will be available to local governments, municipal instiutions, enterprises, organizations, local development agencies, and other civil society organizations (CSOs). We focus primarily on projects that: 

• Develop renewable energy and energy efficiency; 
• Promote vocational education and retraining; 
• Support environmental protection and sustainable land use; 
• Promote local economic development; 
• Modernize heating, water supply, and and sanitation systems; 
• Strengthen the capacity of local communities in the field of just transition. 

The program will be implemented in two phases: 

• Phase I:  8 – 9 grants for communities in Lviv and Volyn Oblasts 
• Phase II: 6 – 7 grants for communities in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and the city of Ladyzhyn (Vinnytsia Oblast). 

Program duration: December 2025 to June 2027. 

Grant Program «Regional Opportunities for Just Transition and Sustainability Grant Program (ROOTS)» implemented by East Europe Foundation with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and support from Deutsche Gesellschaft for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH