Inclusive power: Changing how we think about cities and energy access

Some say the energy transition is a great opportunity to create a more equal society. Others are more pessimistic and predict that the transition will worsen inequalities. How does reality look like and what solutions do we already have at hand to guarantee fair access and good lives to all, no matter their income, race, religion, gender?

I’m delighted to talk about inclusive cities and communities with two trailblazing women: Kata Tütto and Antonia Proka.

Kata is Deputy Mayor at the City of Budapest, and candidate for this year’s European Parliament election in Hungary. Antonia represents the world of energy cooperatives: She is project manager at RESCoop.eu and co-author of the Inclusivity Guide for Energy Communities that was released a few months ago. Tune in for an episode in which we talk about residents of all types and from all strands and about transforming cities in line with their needs. Kata being into politics, also highlighted the political trade offs that come with such cultural transformations. From her experience, change needs to be brought in a careful way so as to give everyone the time to adapt: citizens, administrations, society overall. Antonia describes how the community energy movement is making efforts to anchor inclusivity into its way of working. You’ll also hear in this interview that Kata and Antonia do not have exactly the same view on inclusive language, but share the desire to break up traditional structures for more openness and tolerance.

No matter the instruments used, it is the willingness of (many) local governments, citizens and energy communities that will help swing to a much more tolerant and inclusive access of the public space and commons. 

This guide will help you include a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, information, and ideas in your community energy project. It provides tools and tips, as well as several inspiring examples from cities and citizens who took action to achieve more inclusive and diverse energy communities!

This episode was produced with support from SCCALE 20-30-50. SCCALE is an EU project (Horizon 2020 programme) which makes collaboration happen to get many more energy communities up and running. The people behind SCCALE203050 work on a methodology and toolkit for citizens, cities and policy makers. If you, too, want to see more local energy communities across Europe, check out the toolkit and explore all of the project’s resources at the website sccale203050.eu.