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

28 Apr - 29 Apr

Workshop

Guimaraes, Portugal

A green transition for all: how to empower participatory governance for future-proof cities

Would you like to future-proof local governance to deliver stronger, more resilient climate strategies in your city? In the context of the SPARKLE learning programme, […]

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News
Boosting, connecting, decoding, and celebrating: Energy Cities’ 35th year has truly been a bit of all that.

Boosting, connecting, decoding, and celebrating: Energy Cities’ 35th year has truly been a bit of all that.

This year, Energy Cities turned 35. 35 years of commitment to supporting municipalities of all sizes and locations in going the extra mile towards climate neutrality.

Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy
Food systems
Fair economies

17/12/2025

To give local authorities every possible card in hand, we boost their skills, connect them with peers, decode complex EU regulations to make them understandable and actionable at the local level, and celebrate the
Media
Valencia’s climate adaptation playbook

Valencia’s climate adaptation playbook

Heating & Cooling
Energy democracy
Climate adaptation
Local governance
Fossil-free cities

10/12/2025

Valencia has positioned itself as a leader in climate adaptation and city policies that actually work for people. Deputy Mayor Paula Llobet shares her experience and explains how making sure citizens are fully involved in the planning process is crucial.
News
“One-planet city”, European Green Capital and Energy Cities’ forum host: Guimaraes, will continue to inspire us in 2026

“One-planet city”, European Green Capital and Energy Cities’ forum host: Guimaraes, will continue to inspire us in 2026

A global vision and a collective action

Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy
Food systems
Fair economies

11/12/2025

Sustainability lies at the core of Guimarães' identity.
News
Europe needs its cities if it wants to save democracy

Europe needs its cities if it wants to save democracy

Why the EU's sidelining of local governments dangerously undermines its fight against democratic backsliding

Participative governance
European policies
Local democracy
Local governance

09/12/2025

Democracy is increasingly under threat in Europe, and the EU is struggling to respond. If they want to mount an effective defence of the rule of law, they must stop sidelining local governments and urgently focus on empowering cities.
News
Cities’ involvement in the EU’s Agenda for Cities should not be optional

Cities’ involvement in the EU’s Agenda for Cities should not be optional

The Agenda sets the direction forward but leaves it up to Member States to involve cities – here’s how to improve it.

Urban planning & Vision
European policies
Climate neutrality
Local governments
Climate adaptation
Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy
Food systems
Fair economies

04/12/2025

A new policy Agenda for cities has been published by the European Commission, but without mandatory regional chapters and territorial approach in the next EU budget it will remain a dead letter.

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 […]