A cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Development and Investments and the Ministry of Rural Development and Food in the framework of the Just Development Transition was signed yesterday (14/07/2022) by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. George Georgantas and the Deputy Minister of Development and Investment in charge of the Just Development Transition, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis.

The Partnership Pact will explore the possibilities of using the current Rural Development Programme 2014/22. On the other hand and the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023/27. The aim is to address the impact of the change of production model in the transition areas. These impacts are identified in the Territorial Fair Transition Plans (TTPs ) and include:

• the Region of Western Macedonia
• areas of the Peloponnese Region (Municipalities of Megalopolis, Tripoli, Gortynia, Oichalia)
• the Regions of North and South Aegean
• the Region of Crete

The government's strategy promotes the transition to a new economic paradigm. Template set will highlight modern and clean forms of energy. At the same time it will release the growth prospects of more sectors of the economy. .The primary sector, as a strong pillar of growth, is expected to contributes decisively to offsetting the effects of decarbonisation, through the transformation of the local production model with intelligent processes for the production, processing and marketing of agricultural and livestock products. Already, the "Installation of Young Farmers" Programme. This is included in the Rural Development Programme 2014/22. Provides the commitment of 30.5 mil euros to support young people up to 41 years old who are just starting out of agricultural employment. As well as their first settlement in agricultural holdings in Western Macedonia.

The Pact provides for the integration of the transition into the YPAAT Programme. The Programme aims to encourage new investments and implement targeted rural development practices. The ultimate goal is the benefit of agricultural production with the specialization and implementation of the Just Development Transition Plan.

George Georgantas, Minister of Rural Development and Food

"Today, with the Minister of Deputy Development and Investment, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, we signed a memorandum of cooperation through which the possibilities provided by the co-financed resources of the Ministry of Environment and Energy will be exploited to finance interventions in the areas affected by lignite phase-out. Specifically, through the RDP 2014/22, interventions have already been funded in the areas affected by lignite phase-out, while in the framework of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, which is under the approval of the European Commission, The challenges of lignite phase-out for transition areas will be seriously addressed, through, but not limited to, higher resource allocation and/or additional credits in these areas.

Indicatively, we can enhance the entrepreneurship of transition regions by utilizing program ''Just Transition'' and advisory services to producer groups, to readjust land use in the same areas through the use of the organic farming programme, ensure their fair transition to work through the support of the Young Farmers Programme. The Cooperation Agreement, therefore, allows us to develop valuable synergies, and to utilize know-how, infrastructure, experiences and capabilities, in order to take initiatives and implement actions aimedat the smooth implementation of the transition to the new era of lignite phase-out (if, of course, geopolitical conditions allow it), strengthening the country's agricultural production, the creation of new jobs, the strengthening of the Greek periphery. We have created the framework and I believe that through our cooperation this effort will become more effective and more direct for the local communities".

Nikos Papathanasis, Deputy Minister of Development and Investment responsible for the Fair Transition

"Our close cooperation with the Ministry of Rural Development and Food aims to transform the primary sector in the transition areas. As well as the substantial support of local communities. Today's Cooperation Agreement follows the great success of Greece, which was the first to receive approval by the European Commission of the €1.6 billion Just Development Transition Programme euros. The goal of all of us is the rapid absorption of the resources we have secured, in order to support the local communities with new quality jobs that will keep our young people in their place. The government has shown that it has the plan and the will to change the production model. But also to strengthen in every way the transition areas towards a sustainable future that our country deserves".