JTP Groundwork: Preparing to mobilise SMEs for a just transition in Baranya, Hungary

Fostering SMEs in Baranya

Baranya is a carbon-intensive JTF region in Hungary that depends heavily on the cement and lime industry. The phase-out of mining activities in the early 1990s caused a significant economic decline, and the economy has not fully recovered to this day.

The TJTP of Baranya identifies supporting the development of SMEs as a main objective for the just transition of the region.

The region has an active SME ecosystem, but large-scale investments and innovation-based cooperation to leverage Baranya’s research and innovation expertise are currently lacking. The TJTP identifies energy efficiency investments and investments in the circular and green economy as a priority to foster SMEs and reduce emissions in the region.

The technical assistance therefore assisted the University of Pécs – a key actor in the just transition of Baranya – in preparing to mobilise SMEs for upcoming JTF calls for proposals.

Preparing to mobilise SMEs

The University of Pécs convenes the Baranya Committee of Stakeholders, which facilitates the design and implementation of the JTF at the regional level. As such, the university has the right network to mobilise SMEs for upcoming JTF calls for proposals.

The outputs of the JTP Groundwork project in Baranya serve to support the University of Pécs in this regard. They include:

• case studies on how other JTF regions with similar decarbonisation challenges are organising their JTF calls for proposals and mobilising SMEs to participate;
• a catalogue of circular SME projects implemented in the EU, covering projects in the priority sectors to advance the circular economy in Hungary;
• an informational event to brief SMEs in the region on the JTF and the opportunity the fund can represent for them;
• a workshop with SMEs, entrepreneurship associations, and organisations working on energy policy and greening the construction sector to learn about the needs of SMEs and connect them to organisations that can provide relevant information to develop green and circular projects.

Next steps

The outputs of the JTP Groundwork project will feed into the continued development of the JTF calls for proposals for SMEs and provide a basis for the wider mobilisation of SMEs in Baranya once the calls are live. The University of Pécs will continue the dialogue with SMEs to help them connect to the upcoming JTF calls for proposals.

To learn more about JTP Groundwork and the outputs produced during this technical assistance, visit our website. If you are interested in receiving support, subscribe to our newsletter for news on the next call for expressions of interest in 2025.