Evaluation of Just Transition PB funding in Scotland
The Scottish Government commissioned an independent evaluation report of the Just Transition Fund for the North East and Moray. The evaluation assessed the impact of the Fund in its first two years of operation (2022-2024), during which it supported a package of skills interventions, community-based projects and innovative technologies.
In its first two years, the Just Transition Fund supported a wide range of projects across the North East and Moray, spanning early-stage feasibility studies, skills programmes, nature-based initiatives, and capital infrastructure. Projects were delivered by a mix of start-ups, social enterprises, academic institutions, and public bodies. Projects were given freedom to decide which economic, community, environmental or equity outcomes they would deliver against.
The impact of Just Transition PB funding
The community and social impact from its community engagement aspects saw at least 1,700 people engaged in community activities. More than 19,000 people voted on funding decisions for local projects. And participatory budgeting led to 97 projects funded across two years (through grants ranging from £1,000 to £50,000).
A wider range of community benefits were also reported, and these provide insight into how the JTF is enabling (or could enable) community empowerment. Reported benefits can be broadly categorised as:
- Being heard – enabling communities to take part in decision making and shape a just transition;
- Building awareness – raising awareness and understanding of climate change and the actions that can make a difference;
- Sense of place – creating or strengthening connections with a place or community; and
- Improving local places – creating new facilities or improving/ retrofitting existing facilities that in turn, create spaces for communities to enjoy and come together.
Read the Evaluation report released by the Scottish Government
Check out the Just Transition in Moray webpages
Learn about some of the projects funded in Aberdeenshire in 2022