On October 8, 2024, Ioana Petrescu, the Climate Pact Ambassador for Romania, took the stage in Brussels at the “Celebrating Citizen-Led Climate Action” event to present the outcomes of the AdJUST project. This significant gathering of Climate Pact Ambassadors from across Europe was a key moment to highlight the collaborative efforts made toward addressing climate change at a regional level. Petrescu’s presentation focused on the AdJUST project, a dedicated initiative designed to support a Just Transition in Romania’s Hunedoara region—one of the areas most impacted by the shift towards a climate-neutral economy.
In her speech, Petrescu shared critical insights and best practices from the project’s activities, underscoring the importance of community-driven solutions. The AdJUST project, launched in 2023, organized a series of workshops in September of that year, bringing together a diverse group of 40 stakeholders. These included local authorities, labor unions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academic institutions, all of whom were committed to finding sustainable solutions to the region’s pressing socio-economic challenges. Hunedoara, a region historically reliant on coal and heavy industry, faces unique obstacles in transitioning to greener energy sources while ensuring that the shift is equitable and inclusive.
The workshops provided a collaborative platform to generate actionable strategies aimed at aligning with the European Green Deal’s objectives. Specifically, they addressed critical local issues such as economic revitalization and the high rates of youth unemployment. The project’s approach emphasized creating tailored solutions that not only focus on environmental sustainability but also foster social equity and economic resilience within local communities.
Petrescu’s presentation also emphasized the necessity of engaging local communities in the transition process and ensuring that plans are adaptable to the specific needs and contexts of each region. She highlighted Hunedoara as a success story—an example of how localized, citizen-led initiatives can lead to significant progress in the transition to a climate-neutral economy. Petrescu’s hope was that by sharing this case study, she could inspire other Climate Pact Ambassadors to spearhead similar projects in their own regions, showcasing the potential of community involvement in driving meaningful change.
The AdJUST project continues its work in supporting regions like Hunedoara, aiming to facilitate a fair and inclusive transition to a climate-neutral future. Through efforts like these, Petrescu and her team strive to ensure that no one is left behind in the shift towards sustainability, particularly in regions historically dependent on industries that must now adapt to a changing economic and environmental landscape.
