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Call for proposals: Author for study on EU industrial policy for green steel

rosalux
Social-ecological transformation

The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, a nationally and internationally active German political foundation, is committed to the thoughts and actions of its namesake, the socialist Rosa Luxemburg: We are committed to peace, democracy, social justice and democratic socialism.

The project

The Brussels office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation is looking for an author for a short study on EU green steel ambitions and industrial decarbonisation policy for the sector.

While many countries have developed strategies to decarbonise their steel industries, progress on the ground has been slower than anticipated. Steel producers like ArcelorMittal and ThyssenKrupp have been reviewing and scaling back their decarbonisation plans, which highlights serious hurdles the sector faces in terms of its green future and competitiveness. Those range from high financing and energy costs, to weak demand, and to growing international competition.

The short study will draw on existing analyses and research on green steel. It will explore recent developments and trends in the steel industry and its decarbonisation path. It will critically examine EU policies, proposals and public financing schemes that support the sector’s transition, and look at a few project examples in Europe and globally (including China, the United States, Japan, and/or Brazil). It will assess main challenges to scaling up green steel production from a left-wing perspective – focusing on economic and political obstacles rather than technical aspects.

Building on previous work by RLS on steel and publicly energy ownership, the study aims to contribute to well-founded left-wing policy proposals that address the challenges the sector and its workers currently face. It is intended as a resource for policymakers, especially in dialogue with trade unions and progressive actors, and for a wider audience interested in left approaches to industrial decarbonisation.

 

Specific questions

Based on a literature study, if necessary supplemented by personal interviews with academics and political decision-makers in this area, the following specific questions should be answered:

  • What is the current state of the steel industry in Europe, and what is its role in the international market?
  • What are the industry’s decarbonisation ambitions, both within Europe and globally?
    1. Why is decarbonisation pursued, and how urgent or necessary is it from a climate perspective?
    2. What are some of its key impacts on other sectors, such as automotive manufacturing and construction?
  • What are the successes and failures in steel decarbonisation so far globally? What are the main technical, economic, and political challenges to advancing green steel production in Europe?
    1. What are some of the most prominent pilot projects in Europe, and what is their current status?
  • Which EU-level policies support steel industry decarbonisation, such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism or European Steel and Metals Action Plan?
    1. What approaches do these policies take?
    2. What forms of support exist at the national level in some EU member states and in non-EU countries?
  • Are these policies effective? What are their key shortcomings (e.g. hydrogen market, derisking) as well as impacts on poorer Global South countries?
  • What left-wing proposals could provide an alternative to current market-based policy direction? What solutions could be offered by public ownership of the steel industry?

 

Your profile and selection criteria:

  • Very good knowledge of industrial policy, just transition and/or steel industry developments, debates and concepts over the past years in Europe and globally; (30%)
  • Very good knowledge of industrial and just transition policy discourses from the left-wing perspective; (30%)
  • Proven experience in writing studies, analyses and articles on the above-mentioned policy issues; (20%)
  • Proven experience as a researcher, author, journalist or comparable occupation. (20%)

 

Our requirements

  • Compilation of a short study along the lines of the questions listed above;
  • Length of the short study: Maximum 55,000 characters (without spaces), or approximately 15-20 pages;
  • A maximum two-page summary for political decision-makers;
  • Submission of the draft study: 17 November 2025;
  • Submission of the final text after a round of comments: 8 December 2025.

 

What we offer

  • A work contract with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation;
  • A total remuneration of 4000 € (net).

 

Application process

Please send your application (incl. writing samples) in English language by e-mail by 19 September 2025, 13:00 (CET) the latest to:

Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, Brussels Office

Alexandra Gerasimcikova, Project Manager n.trenfvzpvxbin@ebfnyhk.bet and vasb.oehrffry@ebfnyhk.bet;

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

If you have any questions about the call for applications, please contact Alexandra Gerasimcikova.

Green steel – call for proposalsPDF file (333,54 KB)

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