Future-proof local governance

Setting up long-term local partnerships & trying out new participatory processes to transform local ecosystems.

what are the hubs ?

We, at Energy Cities, are driven by a desire to strengthen the role and skills of local governments. The hubs are the community spaces that help us achieving our target impacts and goals by:

  • activating local leaders to deliver living spaces that are accessible to everyone
  • empowering local communities to decide on their own future
  • inspiring a learning community of cities engaged in future proofing their economies

join the hubs !

Our members are diverse cities and local organisations.
Hubs membership is totally free!

There are no conditions to join other than the ambition and the commitment to share experiences.

Register here

Hub coordinators

Julien Joubert
Julien Joubert
Project Management

About the hub

Are you wondering if your municipal governance is fit for delivering climate neutrality? Are you looking to advance systemic change in your municipality’s governance and to set up long-lasting structures that deliver your city’s climate strategy? Would you like to take budgetary decisions that account for your planned actions’ climate impact?  Then the Future-proof local governance Hub is for you!

By presenting alternatives and new narratives, we will inspire cities to rethink local social and economic models based on local resource regeneration, while ensuring societal solidarity and equity.

Discover our learning offer!

Upcoming events All events

15 Oct

Workshop

Brussels, Belgium

Mayor’s Club dinner – Financing local heating and cooling infrastructure

This informal dinner aims to gather local and EU elected representatives to exchange views and knowledge on the challenges of decarbonising local heating and cooling systems, […]

16 Oct

conference

European Parliament, Rue Wiertz, Bruxelles, Belgium

EU Covenant of Mayors Ceremony 2025 

At a time of mounting geopolitical challenges and accelerating climate risks, the role of Europe’s towns, cities, and regions has never been more vital. This […]

29 Oct

webinar
Online matchmaking session

Exclusive to our members The session will start with information sharing from Energy Cities, including updates and upcoming opportunities, followed by breakout rooms for deeper […]

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News
Transition Management: a process for co-creating transformative change

Transition Management: a process for co-creating transformative change

Develop and implement a sustainability-oriented roadmap with the active participation of diverse local stakeholders.

Urban planning & Vision
Citizen engagement
Learning programme
Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy
Food systems
Fair economies

24/09/2025

What is transition management, and how can it support your city’s ambition to become just and climate-neutral? Transition Management: A Process for Co-Creating Transformative Change […]
News
European Democracy Shield

European Democracy Shield

Policy Op-ed

European policies
Local governance

18/09/2025

European Democracy Shield, this was European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s strong announcement on 10 September 2025, during the traditional State of the Union address in Strasbourg.  In a […]
Advocacy
WHAT’S EUp? The great battle over the EU’s long-term budget for local governments

WHAT’S EUp? The great battle over the EU’s long-term budget for local governments

Unpacking the European Commission's proposal

Finance & Divest
European policies
Climate neutrality
Funding
Climate adaptation
Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy
Food systems
Fair economies

18/09/2025

What will the next EU budget mean for cities? Energy Cities breaks down the Commission’s proposal and sets out what must change to make it work for people and for Europe.
Interviews
Municipal innovation for an all-electric future 

Municipal innovation for an all-electric future 

Interview with Ilkka Räsänen, Environmental Director at Municipality of Lapeenranta

Heating & Cooling
Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy

11/09/2025

Ilkka Räsänen takes us behind the scenes of his city's heat strategy - with a special pride for their thermal storage systems. Besides the tech-focus, their collaborative heat policy is strongly anchored in the partnership with the university: research flows into policy and vice-versa. Lapeenranta is another example that cities are driving the clean heating transition.
News
European cities step up as record heatwaves highlight urgent need for climate adaptation

European cities step up as record heatwaves highlight urgent need for climate adaptation

The Covenant of Mayors' Cities Refresh campaign brings together cities in their efforts to tackle extreme heat

Resilience
Climate adaptation
Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Fair economies

22/07/2025

As extreme heat stifles Europe, people living in cities are amongst those who suffer the most. Local governments across Europe are acting faced with this threat, rethinking their cities and putting in place clear protocols to protect their populations.

Projects All projects

SPARKLE

SPARKLE

Sustainable Planning And Resilience Knowledge Learning Environment
SPARKLE

SPARKLE – Sustainable Planning and Resilience Knowledge Learning Environment is a pioneering programme that will develop the capacities of over 600 Local and Regional Authorities […]

CLIMABOROUGH

CLIMABOROUGH

CLIMABOROUGH

Bridging the gap between the design and implementation of urban innovations for climate change adaptation and mitigation CLIMABOROUGH is designed to field test the ClimHub, […]

Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy

Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy

The world's largest movement for local climate and energy action.
Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy

After the adoption, in 2008, of the 2020 EU Climate and Energy Package, the European Commission launched the Covenant of Mayors to endorse and support the efforts deployed by local authorities in the implementation of sustainable energy policies.

SSH CENTRE EU

SSH CENTRE EU

Social Sciences and Humanities for Climate, Energy aNd Transport Research Excellence
SSH CENTRE EU

SSH CENTRE is a Horizon Europe project representing the cross-European Centre of Research Excellence for Climate-Energy-Mobility Social Sciences & Humanities (SSH). The project will engage […]