Leaving No One Behind? Navigating Regional Socio-Economic and Employment Impacts in the Context of Just Transition
Transitioning to a low-carbon economy is crucial for sustainability and climate resilience, but it requires significant transformation, particularly in vulnerable regions with economic and social disadvantages. The purpose of this project is to analyse the socio-economic impacts of transitioning to a low-carbon economy on vulnerable regions and to assess the effectiveness of policies and initiatives designed to support affected communities, with a particular focus on Ireland’s Midlands.
Building on previous research highlighting how Midlands communities feel “left behind” due to historical underinvestment and marginalization, the study will investigate: a) whether current policies, including the national just transition framework and EU JTF interventions, align with the socio-economic and skill development needs of local communities, b) the role of current programs and funded projects in addressing short-term needs related to workforce training and re-employment, as well as fostering longer-term economic diversification and community resilience.
This is a mixed-methods study, combining quantitative analysis of key economic and demographic data with qualitative interviews. The quantitative analysis will analyse socio-economic data to assess shifts in employment, income, and demographics within JTF-targeted counties and municipal districts in the Midlands. In-depth interviews with community organizations, affected workers, and local officials will provide insights into how funded initiatives support local communities facing job losses, population decline, and shifting skill needs. The findings will contribute to broader discussions on just transitions, highlighting the gaps between policy objectives and practical implementation, and providing recommendations to better align funded initiatives with community needs.
I am thrilled to have received the RSA Early Career Grant for my research on just transitions and regional development. I am very excited about initiating this project which will illuminate how large-scale environmental and economic transitions interact with local realities. I hope the findings will contribute to broader discussions on effective policy interventions for just transitions, leading to new collaborations within the RSA network and the wider academic community.
Principal Investigator: Ozge Yenigun
Ozge Yenigun is an Assistant Professor in Urban and Regional Planning at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy at University College Dublin. Before joining UCD, she worked as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she also earned her Ph.D. in 2023. She currently teaches a variety of subjects in urban and regional planning, including GIS, theory, history and practice of spatial planning, urban and regional economics, and property development. Her research interests include planning for sustainable economic development, just transitions and regional development, and social and economic mobility and inclusion for marginalized communities. She has received several grants and fellowships, including the Fulbright Grant.