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 May

conference

Brussels, Belgium

An EU budget that works for People and Planet

The next budget will entail a series of challenges, ranging from financial size and a new governance architecture to support for the socio-economic transition into […]

11 Jun

webinar
EUSEW 2025: From national to local: strategies and tools for sustainable energy and climate action

Session Co-Organised by the Covenant of Mayors – Europe The importance of engagement of all levels of government in climate action is recognised in landmark […]

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Interviews
“Chimneys will be for nostalgics and for Santa Claus”

“Chimneys will be for nostalgics and for Santa Claus”

Detox City Mechelen and their people-centered heat transition

Heating & Cooling
Urban planning & Vision
Local governance
Fossil-free cities

13/05/2025

Today we take you to Mechelen, a Belgian medium-sized town located right in between Brussels and Antwerp. Mechelen has already started its heat journey a while ago. The goal? To switch to a renewable heat supply for all its buildings by 2050. But what political strategies, resources and players does it take to make such a municipal heat shift happen? Ighor Van De Vyver may have some answers: Ighor belongs to the city's climate team.
News
Why cities need a capacity-building programme

Why cities need a capacity-building programme

SPARKLE's co-coordinator Anna Francis reveals how upskilling local authorities can boost the green transition

Decarbonisation
Climate neutrality
Learning programme
Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy
Food systems
Fair economies

13/05/2025

What’s capacity building? Why did a group of sustainability experts feel a free learning offer financed by the EU LIFE programme was needed? We discuss […]
Advocacy
Local Alliance puts forth concrete recommendations for an EU budget fit for future

Local Alliance puts forth concrete recommendations for an EU budget fit for future

The eight networks jointly published three papers calling for a better reform agenda, shared governance and a place-based approach to competitiveness

Participative governance
Quality of life
Decarbonisation
Decentralisation
Local energy
+
Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy
Food systems
Fair economies

06/05/2025

In response to the public consultation on the future EU budget, the Local Alliance publishes concrete recommendations calling for a bold realignment of EU spending priorities.
News
Powering a Fair and Competitive Green Transition

Powering a Fair and Competitive Green Transition

Do not miss these events at the next EU Sustainable Energy Week!

Local governance
Community energy

02/05/2025

Like every year, the European Sustainable Energy Week will bring together energy experts and practitioners from across Europe. Under the theme “Powering a fair and […]
News
The importance of multilevel governance to promote collaborative decision-making and inclusiveness

The importance of multilevel governance to promote collaborative decision-making and inclusiveness

Effectively setting up multilevel dialogue platforms

Participative governance
Local governments
Multilevel Governance
Local governance

29/04/2025

The implementation of Climate and Energy Dialogues in six countries has shown their importance and positive results in the co-creation of energy and climate policies.

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 […]