EU-SWAP

The Strengthening Workers’ Active Participation in South Africa’s Just Transition (SWAP) project is a 24-month initiative that strengthens the ability of workers, communities, civil society organisations and local stakeholders to shape South Africa’s transition from coal to renewable energy.

SWAP supports affected workers and communities to participate meaningfully in Just Transition decision-making, develop gender-just and worker-centred policy proposals, strengthen social dialogue, and build their capacity to advocate and negotiate for fair transition outcomes. A key project output will be a Just Transition Advocacy Blueprint grounded in workers’ and communities’ experiences and priorities.

Why SWAP?

South Africa’s shift away from coal brings significant opportunities, but also risks for workers and coal-dependent communities. High unemployment, dependence on coal-based industries, limited participation in transition planning, and the exclusion of women and young people from emerging green economy opportunities make inclusive planning essential.

SWAP seeks to ensure that those most affected by the transition have a meaningful voice in shaping what comes next.

Where We Work

SWAP focuses on three coal-affected provinces:

• Mpumalanga – South Africa’s largest coal-producing province and a key focus of coal mine and power station transitions.
• Limpopo – Home to significant remaining coal resources and communities facing employment, skills and infrastructure challenges.
• KwaZulu-Natal – Home to coal-producing areas and industrial communities that will be affected by changes in South Africa’s energy system.

How SWAP Works

SWAP combines community consultations, training, research, social dialogue and advocacy to strengthen participation in Just Transition processes.

Workers and communities identify local priorities and develop proposals; trade unions support worker mobilisation and dialogue; CBOs and NGOs facilitate community engagement; and government, civil society and other stakeholders are engaged to translate community priorities into policy and planning processes. Pilot communities will also apply and test the project’s Just Transition Advocacy Blueprint.

Project Period

1 March 2026 – 28 February 2028

The SWAP project is co-funded by the European Union under the Capacity Enhancement, Dialogue and Recovery (CEDAR) Call for Proposals and contributes to the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy. It is implemented by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) South Africa in partnership with the Sam Tambani Research Institute (SATRI).