SPARKLE Peer-to-Peer Sessions: exchange with and learn from other cities
Join the free webinars to explore more about local governance, fossil-free districts, community energy, sustainable food and circular economy
Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy
Food systems
Fair economiesAbout
SPARKLE supports cities across Europe to accelerate their local energy transition by strengthening skills, collaboration and practical implementation. Through peer-to-peer exchange, capacity building and shared learning, the project helps cities learn from one another, tackle common challenges and turn ambitious climate and energy goals into action.
From October 2026 to March 2027, we are holding short, monthly, free peer-to-peer online sessions, open to any city and/or their partners to participate in, with additional information, support and resources shared after each one.
All sessions will be held in English. Based on your interests and needs, you can choose to attend one or more webinars about one or more topics – local governance, fossil-free cities, community energy, sustainable food and circular economy.
Don’t miss this chance to engage with other local authorities. Scroll down to discover all sessions and register to join us!
Stronger local governance through citizen engagement
Citizen assemblies – 12 October 2026, 15:00-16:00 CET
Explore how citizen assemblies can help cities involve residents in local decision-making. Exchange experiences, challenges and practical ideas with peers on designing and running effective assemblies.
Structuring local power: governance models for energy communities – 2 November 2026, 15:00-16:00 CET
Share experiences of developing community energy initiatives and explore how cities can support citizens and communities to take an active role in the energy transition. Discuss common barriers, opportunities and solutions with other cities.
Involving the Private Sector – 7 December, 15:00-16:00 CET
How can cities build effective partnerships with local businesses and other private-sector actors? Exchange approaches for engaging the private sector, overcoming barriers and creating partnerships that support local climate and energy goals.
Power in partnership: stakeholder mobilization & community engagement – 11 January 2027, 15:00-16:00 CET
Exchange practical approaches for reaching and involving different communities in local climate and energy action. Share what has worked — and what hasn’t — and learn from the experiences of other cities.
Participatory budgeting – 1 February 2027, 15:00-16:00 CET
Explore how participatory budgeting can give citizens a direct role in deciding how public resources are spent. Share experiences and practical approaches for designing inclusive processes that lead to meaningful local action.
Open Session – 1 March 2027, 15:00-16:00 CET
This session is yours! Bring a challenge you would like to discuss, a successful approach you want to share, or a topic you would like to explore with other cities. Send us your ideas via this form in advance and help shape the session around what would be most useful to you.
Register for one or more sessions here.
Empowering OSSs for community energy
With local and regional authorities, energy communities, supporting organisations, and established OSSs, we will exchange on real-world challenges and proven solutions regarding training, management, staffing, financing, and service delivery. Throught this initiative, we will launch Europe’s first dedicated platform for One-Stop-Shop (OSS).
SPARKLE & SHINE OSS Platform: Empowering OSSs for energy communities – 21 October, 10:00 CET
Get inspired by some good practices and discover an established OSS.
Structuring local power: governance models for energy communities – 2 November, 15:00-16:00 CET
Explore the different governance models for energy communities and the highlights of a matching structure for a One-Stop-Shop (OSS). Joint webinar with Stronger local governance through citizen engagement.
Power in partnership: stakeholder mobilization & community engagement – 11 January 2027, 15:00-16:00 CET
Discover the different tools for mapping and mobilising relevant actors for the establishment and operation of an OSS. Joint webinar with Stronger local governance through citizen engagement.
Register for one or more sessions here.
More 2027 sessions will be shared soon.
Fossil-free buildings and districts
Let’s explore together practical ways to accelerate the transition to more energy-efficient, resilient and low-carbon buildings and districts. We will share experiences, discuss challenges and explore approaches to renovation, financing, citizen and community engagement, heatwave resilience, and the decarbonisation of heating and cooling.
One-Stop-Shops for renovation, good practices and challenges – 24 November, 10:00-11:00 CET
One Stop Shops can support citizens and building owners throughout the renovation process. Let’s exchange on how to set it up and make them effectively operative.
Register for one or more sessions here.
The 2027 sessions will be shared soon.
Eat better, waste less, produce locally
We will discuss stakeholder participation, support to local producers and short supply chains, sustainable agricultural practices, healthy and sustainable diets, and food waste prevention and circular management, with a strong focus on practical tools and approaches adaptable to different local contexts.
Fast and practical local food diagnosis – 22 October 2026, 9:30-11:00 CEST
Let’s explore simple, effective ways to understand your city’s local food system – from production and distribution to consumption and food waste – using existing data, stakeholder input, and accessible tools to build an actionable diagnostic.
Co-designing an adapted local food plan through participation – 26 November 2026, 9:30-11:00 CET
Turn a diagnosis into a shared local food strategy! We will explore participatory approaches to define a common vision, objectives and priority actions, ensuring that the resulting plan is realistic, inclusive and adapted to municipal procedures and timelines.
Register for one or more sessions here.
The 2027 sessions will be shared soon.
