International conference Bottom-up processes of local energy plans revision – How to engage citizens’ cooperation?
3.3.2021
On Thursday, 25th February 2021 we have organized an international conference where we had the opportunity to see how different local communities revised their energy plans and how they involved citizens with series of workshops.
It was pointed out by László Magyar from Energiaklub, Hungary, that the most difficult in the process of citizens’ cooperation is the identification of stakeholders. By ensuring the broad and just right mixture of stakeholders and inclusion of all groups the whole process gains legitimacy. Their experience is that most valuable ideas came from local people who know the situation of their cities best. For successful implementation of energy plans constant communication and involvement of citizens and stakeholders is needed, as well as involvement of technical and municipality partners.
Cléménce Pricken, representing Covenant of Mayors, explained about the initiative and the possibilities of cooperation and opportunities for funding for cities in the field of climate and environmental challenges.
Rovena Preka, from Italian National Agency for New Technologies stated that key principles for building renovation are: first energy efficiency, affordability, decarbonisation and integration of renewables, life-cycle thinking and circularity.
Sebastian Brandmayr, from City Pfaffenhofen Stadtwerke, Germany explained that the city of Pfaffenhofen has two people working on climate protection at the city level administration, they have a climate protection manager and a sustainability manager. A lot of citizens of Pfaffenhofen are interested in energy transition. Citizens energy cooperative Pfaffenhofen was funded in 2012 and has today almost 800 members.
Later in the afternoon the three project partners: Agnieszka Sielicka, Lubelskie Voivodeship, Poland Darka Jezeršek Žerjal, Municipality of Koper, Slovenia Alen Višnjić, Medjimurje Energy Agency Ltd., Croatia presented their experiences in engaging the citizens in the environmental planning.
Please contact project partners for further information.
