2025 marks Energy Cities’ 35th anniversary: 35 years inspiring transition journeys, creating partnerships, sharing ideas, and so much more. As part of this milestone, we’re launching two new activities – exclusive to our members – aiming to place local leaders at the heart of the conversation.

In a time when amplifying the voices of local leaders is more important than ever to counter false and hostile narratives, our new ‘Mayors Voice’ activities provide a vital space for local elected representatives to draw inspiration, exchange ideas and find strength amongst peers.

Are you ready to mingle in 2025? Join our Mayors Clubs and 15-15 Mayors Energy Talks!

Mayors Clubs: a space for meaningful dialogue

First and foremost, we are excited to introduce our new Mayors Clubs, bringing together small groups of likeminded mayors, deputy mayors and local councillors to deep dive into specific topics across Energy Cities’ five thematic hubs. These gatherings, held both in-person and online, aim to create a safe space for local elected representatives to have sincere, open exchanges on their experiences and the challenges they face in different areas.

Each club will be hosted by a mayor from Energy Cities network. As close-door meetings, the content of the discussions is not publicly disseminated. However, as part of our mission to influence EU policy based on mayors’ experiences, the clubs’ discussions will directly inform Energy Cities’ advocacy, shaping our positions and recommendations on key EU legislation and instruments. The clubs will also offer opportunities for mayors to connect with EU policymakers and media to make their voices heard.

2025 Mayors Club Agenda

This year, we will have three Mayors Clubs. These clubs will kick off with in-person sessions at our Annual Forum in Besançon on April 10th, 2025, followed by virtual gatherings later in the year.

Mayors club: Inclusive renewable energy solutions

Local energy ownership is key for climate action and democracy. It combats energy poverty, fosters community cohesion, and empowers municipalities to lead. But how can we promote citizen-based renewable energy?

Join this 2025 club to exchange insights with fellow mayors on advancing inclusive renewable energy. This session will contribute to shaping Energy Cities’ stance on the EU Citizen Energy Package.

Mayors Club: Engaging local Communities in Clean Heating

The transition to clean heating is vital for decarbonisation, but it comes with challenges. How can municipalities effectively communicate about this shift? How can we build alliances with citizens, businesses, and local stakeholders? And how do we respond to setbacks?

This club will explore strategies for engaging communities in clean heating initiatives. It will also contribute to shaping Energy Cities’ position on the EU Heating and Cooling Strategy.

Mayors club: Resource-wise urban planning

Urban planning is a powerful tool for creating liveable cities, ensuring affordable housing, and reducing resource (land, water, material) and energy use. This club offers mayors a space to share experiences, and practical examples, and address challenges they face.

This club will help shape Energy Cities’ perspective on the EU Sustainable and Affordable Housing Plan.

Interested in joining a club? If a local elected representative from your city would like to participate in one of these exclusive clubs, please reach out to melanie.bourgeois@energy-cities.eu.

15-15 Mayors Energy Talks: a space to shine

Our second new initiative for 2025, the 15-15 Mayors Energy Talks, is designed to shine a spotlight on mayors’ achievements. These talks provide a platform for local elected representatives to share their successes and inspire others through concise, impactful discussions. Each session features a 15-minute story from a mayor, deputy mayor or local councillor, followed by a 15-minute discussion with the audience.

These brief, 30-minute talks are an excellent way for mayors to spark inspiration by sharing achievements they are proud of. For the audience, it’s a great way to quickly tune in to learn from others’ successes, challenges, and creative solutions—all without taking too much time out of their day.

You have a story you are proud of and would like to share with the Energy Cities community? Please reach out to melanie.bourgeois@energy-cities.eu.

The WELLBASED Healthy Homes campaign wants to raise awareness amongst local leaders, councils, and communities about the impact that fuel poverty has on people’s health. The European Commission defines fuel poverty as ‘when energy bills represent a high percentage of consumers income, affecting their capacity to cover other expenses, or when consumers are forced to reduce their energy consumption with an impact on their physical or mental well-being’.

In the winter of 2022-23, the WELLBASED team surveyed 356 households across 5 nations, about their experience of energy poverty and their health status. In the sample of 356 respondents 59% earn less than €750 per month and only attended lower secondary education. In this sample, the incidence of energy poverty was considerably higher than that reported in the EU energy poverty statistics for 2021. Nearly 65% of participants reported poor mental health, while 30% had a lung condition.

By signing this manifesto a city council commits to:

• Demonstrating a fair and inclusive approach to Net Zero transition.
• Improving health and energy efficiency activities that enable people to better cope with environmental changes.
• Reducing fuel poverty and understanding the link to health inequalities and the impact this has on the wider health and care system.

Each signatory will get the chance to:

• Collaborate with a network of committed cities to exchange on fuel poverty related health issues.
• Access first-hand research results and best practices from practitioners
• Attend the End Energy Poverty Forum in July in Brussels and Final WELLBASED event in Valencia in 2025

By signing this manifesto, your council shows its determination to reduce fuel poverty-related ill-health. Through this campaign, incremental small changes in every city will deliver improved outcomes with long-lasting effects.

Please confirm by email before 28 June 2024 the latest that your city joins the campaign. We will then add your city logo to the list of signatories and provide visibility and networking opportunities to all of you!

This campaign is an initiative by the European WELLBASED team, composed of city practitioners, researchers and NGOs: www.wellbased.eu

As part of Energy Cities’ inspirational day in Modena, on 18th October, we gathered a bunch of renewable experts and activists in the fictional city of Andria. For one day, this was our place to discuss the challenges of bringing (renewable) energy access and energy justice to all. People did not need a GPS to navigate through Andria and its lively workshops. They let empathy and foresightedness be their guide.

Take-away 1: We must give space to the invisible citizens if we want the energy transition to be fair and effective. They bring the power we all need! 

We discussed energy poverty and how we can give space and visibility to those who are usually standing and living in the blind spot of policies. How can we give space in decision-making and involve them fully in the energy transition? And what can we actually learn from them? And why do we call “vulnerable” those who show most strength and resilience?

Big inspiration came from Jan de Pauw, project engineer at the citizen energy cooperative Ecopower and energy advisor for the city of Eeklo (Belgium). He presented the outstanding energy poverty support program which was initiated by the City of Eeklo together with Ecopower: This scheme, which has been developed and launched in the framework of the POWER UP project, will enable low-income households to become members of an energy cooperative. How? The city pre-finances cooperative shares and lends these to people who would not be able to pay this upfront cost on their own. Over several years, these beneficiaries will then pay the share back through a small monthly fee. As of day one, though, the shareholders will be full members of the Ecopower cooperative including all rights that come with it such as getting renewable energy at a fair price or having a voice at Ecopower’s decision-making. This rolling fund of pre-financed social energy shares makes local renewable energy accessible for all. It is a first of its kind in Europe and has great potential to be implemented in other local governments wanting to help people in energy poverty.

?️‍?️ Take-aways from the group debates that followed can be found on the POWER UP website.

Take-away 2: Legal stumbling blocks require patience, but they aren’t a reason to stand still

Italy’s national decree on energy communities was meant to be published many months ago. While impatiently waiting for it, we organised together with Confcooperative a training session on energy communities for Italian civil servants as part of the SCCALE 203050 capacity-building series. Despite a complicated and lengthy adoption of the legal framework, local authorities do take action to deploy renewables and to put them in citizens’ hands. They are keen on getting the right skills and they wish to level up their city-citizen collaborations around renewable energy projects! We provided participants with success stories and guidance from Italian peers about the very practical steps to create an energy community.

?️‍?️ For those interested in improving their skills on community energy: watch out for the second round of Energy Cities’ Espresso training. Your baristas are about to brew a good new coffee for you!

Take-away 3: Municipal space needs to be clearly identified and made available to the community

The afternoon workshop put public assets for local community energy on the spot. We’ve explored all those different spots in which renewable energy can find a place in a city: roofs and façades, parking lots, water reservoirs, brownfields – even cemeteries! Much of it still remains pretty much untapped as neither local governments nor other players in town do know what they could use to produce or consume locally produced energy.

After an introduction to the workshop, Anik Lehman-Tron from the Energy Department of the City of Besançon (France) presented the approach by the City of Besançon. She talked about their strategy to quantify available renewable energy, to map suitable space and to identify consumers and producers in their Planoise district. Planoise is a low-income area with high social mixity. Annick’s presentation was first followed by a Q&A session with the audience. All participants were then brought to an XXL-format map of the Planoise neighbourhood to do a joint spatial analysis and exercise around renewable offer and demand.

Next we had a presentation by Anna Francis from Energy Cities on the LIFE LOOP asset match-making tool. When released in December, this will be the very first European-wide platform allowing cities to show their local people that they care for the development of renewables and that they offer space for those who want to invest in it!

We ended with the success story of Balkan Solar Roofs in Porec, Croatia. Their ambitious local policy, made visible through the Sunny Office, first one-stop-shop in the area, has brought renewable development to another level.

We could have continued the conversation, talking about land constraints for urban renewable energy, data or modelling challenges, participation and how we make all this work for vulnerable people…but the sun started sinking into the narrow streets of Andria.

You think our articles and newsletters are fantastic, but you’d love to engage face-to-face with other city representatives and experts on local renewables energy perspectives? Our next Annual forum in the lovely historic city center of Modena is the chance to dive deep into decentralized and people-powered energy. 

Here’s a sneak preview of what we have designed for you! Make sure you register as soon as possible, selecting the Hub 3 sessions of Energy Cities’ inspirational day on Wednesday, October 18^th! 

Wednesday 18 October 2023 

9:30-12:00 Energy for the invisible citizen: in search for lasting & fair solutions.  

In a less conventional format, we will bring together all those who are fighting energy poverty in their everyday work. You’ll have the chance to navigate with other city-makers through questions related to housing and health, renewable energy access, summer energy poverty, and gender. This first workshop with social impact hacker, will be followed by a fruitful flopcast: Together we will explore the mistakes and the respective lessons learned in the different EU initiatives and projects. Throughout the session, we’ll unashamedly suck knowledge from innovative EU-funded projects (POWER UP, WELLBASED, Cooltorise, Shape EU) on how to bring systemic changes to end energy poverty.  (view detailed program)

9:30 – 12:30 Developing energy communities in Italy by promoting collaborations between municipalities, citizens, SMEs – part 1

Capacity building on community energy for Italian municipalities, organised together with Confcooperative as part of SCCALE 203050 capacity-building series for Italian civil servants

This is a training upon invitation dedicated to Italian local governments who wish to level up their city-citizen collaborations around renewable energy projects! We will provide participants with experiences, guidance, and proposals for the creation of new energy communities. We will explore different ways to share renewable energy produced locally by promoting the active role of consumers, citizens and businesses in collaboration with municipalities.  

14:00 – 15:30 Developing energy communities in Italy by promoting collaborations between municipalities, citizens, SMEs – part 2 

Community building on community energy for Italian municipalities, organised together with the Municipality of Magliano Alpi. 

How did the city of Magliano Alpi develop its energy community? What challenges did its team encounter and how did it overcome them? Join this experience sharing session and benefit from the city’s experience and advice. 

16:00-17:30 The Map it Show! Treasure hunting renewable energy in our cities. 

For anyone who enjoyed geography at school and in particular working with maps, this session is for you. Anik Lehman-Tron from the Energy Management department of the City of Besançon will be using a huge map of the Planoise neighbourhood to illustrate the solar potential analysis they recently carried out with the French PV association HESPUL. You will learn how they are using the results to set up a self-consumption project with the ambition of transforming Planoise into an eco-district. This map will then be used for a generic exercise with all participants: you will identify as many possible potential public owned assets that could be linked to future community projects in a city. Anna Francis from Energy Cities will then talk about her experience of working for Frome municipality in the UK. How did they identify solar-fit public sites and involve a local cooperative in renewable energy projects? Anna will then conclude by introducing the asset-matchmaking tool that is being developed within the LIFE LOOP project. (detailed program soon)

Ready to go?  

Register now for Energy Cities’ inspirational day at our Forum in Modena!  

You want to get a glimpse of what the other Energy Cities’ sessions will be covering? Discover the full programme of Energy Cities’ Day in Modena. 

Don’t forget to sign up for all the other engaging and inspiring activities we have in store for you during the rest of the Forum: plenary sessions, networking opportunities, engaging tours of Modena, and even the train ride just for Energy Cities’ members! 

You may also be interested in attending Climate Alliance’s Workshop the next day: Municipal solutions for energy poverty – 19 October, 15:00 – 17:00 | Camera di Commercio Modena (English) Energy poverty is increasingly in the spotlight, but what can cities and towns do about it? Involving energy-poor citizens and enabling municipal staff on the road to a socially just energy transition is of the essence. Join the discussion and get inspired by real > Agenda

In recent weeks, part of the European Parliament has chosen to boycott discussions on the draft regulation for “nature restoration”.

This is quite unprecedented, as debates usually get bogged down and, rather than facing outright refusal, many texts are drained of their substance through endless negotiations. But what’s at stake here is a pre-election battle (already!). And it doesn’t bode well: those who are trying to convince us that we can’t ensure our food security without continuing to destroy the soil, water and forests are the same people who have caused setbacks to the European Green Deal. The European Commission has already suggested revising its proposals so as not to include obligations to achieve results, but only to make a reasonable effort. Not even an obligation of means…

Meanwhile, the European Central Bank has just published an analysis of the risks posed to the banking system by the decline in biodiversity:  “Nearly 75 per cent of all bank loans in the euro area are to companies that are highly dependent on at least one ecosystem service. […] If nature degradation continues as now, these companies will suffer and banks’ credit portfolios will become riskier,” writes Franck Elderson, member of the Executive Board of the Frankfurt institution, in an article published on 8 June on the BCE blog.

The Commission is proposing practical measures to protect nature in the city.

Member States should achieve 10% green and blue spaces in urban areas by 2040, and at least 15% by 2050. Most of these spaces should be legally protected. Cities are already very active and more ambitious, and nature within the city ensures a better quality of life and the resilience of urban spaces, a necessary solution for combating heat islands and improving food security…

It is yet another directive that introduces specific obligations for towns and cities, without involving them in the governance of the policies that will make these goals possible. The Commission needs to work hand in hand with local authorities. They are the ones who can build alliances with businesses that depend on healthy ecosystems, and with vulnerable social groups who, without (at least!) municipal agricultural, energy and economic policies, will not have access to the basic necessities of living.

Backing down in the face of blackmail and fear is no longer an option

(Although it never should have been in any case…)

PS : on the 15th of June, Members of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament voted 44 against and 44 in favor of the continuation of the legislative process. The proposed regulation will be examined.

*”No nature, no food” is a Campaign slogan of the Greens/the European Free Alliance (EFA) – a European Parliamentary Group

Would you like to explore new ways of financing your energy and climate measures? Would you like to learn about energy performance contracting, municipal green bonds, revolving funds or citizen financing? Would it be a plus for you if this knowledge was coming from your peers in other EU cities, from people who successfully implemented these financing instruments and could tell you if they fit your own projects in your own local context?  Would you find it stimulating to learn in small groups, exchanging directly with other city practitioners facing the same challenges?

Then, don’t search further: the PROSPECT+ capacity-building programme on innovative financing is made for you!

PROSPECT+ offers mentoring and training in five thematic areas: public buildings, private buildings, public lighting, transport, and a cross-sectoral category. It gives attention to improving the decision-making of cities and regions on how to choose projects for financing, as well as how to assess and ensure that the projects are finance ready. 

Participation in PROSPECT+ is free of charge and all local & regional public authorities and their energy agencies from Europe (EU27, UK and H2020 associated countries) are eligible to apply.

Since 2017, PROSPECT+ has already helped more than 250 cities and regions! Why not you?

How to apply?

In preparation of its third learning cycle that will start in August/September 2023, PROSPECT+ is  opening a new call for mentees and mentors, with the following deadlines:  

• Call for mentees: from the 2^nd of March 2023 to the 14^th of April 2023. 
• Call for mentors: from the 22^nd of May 2023 to the 7^th of June 2023.

In addition, local and regional authorities from Poland, Italy and Ireland can apply for joining local learning groups where exchanges will be held in their own language.

For further information and links to the application forms, please visit https://www.h2020prospect.eu/get-involved

Join our LinkedIn page Capacity building for cities and regions | PROSPECT+!

“The PROSPECT+ capacity building programme offers local authorities the opportunity to deepen their knowledge on innovative financing schemes to fund energy efficiency measures directly from their peers, those who already tested and implemented successful solutions when facing the same barriers. By providing different learning methodologies, we want to engage as many local authorities as possible, trying to cater for different needs, including limited time availability or lack of foreign language skills. PROSPECT+ is also a perfect opportunity to have a first direct experience with European projects and meet EU partners for those who are not yet familiar with the EU funding programmes.” Giulia Pizzini, Coordinator of the PROSPECT+ project, IEECP 

While most energy communities are active in the production of electricity, heating is an area holding a lot of potential, even if it requires higher initial investment. The Netherlands hosts some great examples of community district heating. The Thermo Bello project in the Eva-Lanxmeer district of Culemborg is one of these examples, the firsts of this kind in the Country.

The topic of collective heating was already a priority for the Eva-Lanxmeer district in 2000, when a Heat Supply Framework Agreement was concluded between the water company Vitens, the Municipality of Culemborg and the residents’ association (BEL). This agreement defined the first elements for the development and operation of a collective heat supply that became fully operational in 2004. The heat station was part of Vitens’ drinking water pumping station. In 2006, when Vitens, decided to focus its services on the extraction and supply of drinking water, BEL was offered to take over the heat production and distribution.

The residents of Eva-Lanxmeer had always been very involved in public life: from landscape and public green spaces, to traffic safety, water management and food production. That is why eventually, after 2 years of research, they decided to set up their own citizen energy cooperative: Thermo Bello. The cooperative supplies low-temperature hot water to 222 homes and 7 commercial properties via an underground distribution network located in the district.

Culemborg municipality offered a guarantee so that the cooperative could obtain its first bank loan to finance the initial phase in 2008. In 2021, when it was time to upgrade the system, Thermo Bello financed those works via a mixture of bank loans, citizen capital and using their own capital. They got 350 000€ from the bank (via a 10-year loan at 2,7% rate), around 100 000€ from clients/citizens, and 100 000€ from their own saved capital, based on performance of the previous years. Now they have no debt anymore, which will make it easier for banks to finance future investments.

Want to learn more about municipalities engaged in community energy? Read our guidebook

But Thermo Bello is not “only” about heat. The cooperative does not only manage heat supply and distribution, making sure it’s as energy efficient as possible. They also educate residents to reduce their consumption and on local energy production and are very keen in sharing their knowledge with other groups who might want to follow their steps.

Are you part of such groups? Do you work for a local government willing to engage in community energy? Join the SCCALE 20-30-50 study tour and meet the people of Thermo Bello on 21 April! Register here.

Energy Cities’ Hub “Community-led energy for massive renewable production” provides you with tools to increase locally-owned renewable energy production. Join our community! 

The European City Facility is looking for Country Experts and National Hubs to support local authorities in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

For each EU Member State, Iceland and Ukraine, the consortium will appoint: 

• a Country Expert, whose role will be  to  support municipalities in their  ‘LIFE  EUCF journey’ and to support the Core Management Team for a smooth LIFE EUCF operation and monitoring. We will select Country Experts based on their proven technical and financial competences and working experience in the field of energy and climate investments at local / regional level, their existing relations and contacts with municipalities, and best value for money. 
• a National Hub, whose role will be to involve municipalities in the Facility and support the deal-closing of their investment concepts. We will select  National  Hubs  based  on  their  proven  wide  outreach  to  municipalities  and  local  authorities,  their working experience in supporting local authorities, particularly on energy and climate investments, and best value for money. 

Do you have what it takes? Please visit the website of EUCF for more information & apply by January 27th 2023 COB.

Any question? Contact mariangela.luceri@fedarene.org

“Today we are launching – as far as I know – the biggest collective investment by a local community for the energy transition in Croatia. Citizens, but also the business and public sectors from the Cres-Lošinj archipelago are very interested in it. Our solar PV project will be implemented if we obtain the necessary permits and consents from the competent public institutions”, said Dr. Ugo Toić, President of the assembly of the Croatian energy cooperative Aspyrtides in 2021,at the very start of this endeavour. One year later, the project is off to a good start.

The bigger picture

After several successful initial examples of community-financed solar power plants in Croatia (Križevci Municipality, Kaštel Lukšić, etc.), the energy community virus has now crossed the sea. Located in the scenic Cres-Lošinj archipelago surrounded by the Adriatic Sea, the Croatian energy cooperative Aspyrtides was founded last year, in 2021. With its wide diversity of members, it is very unique in Croatia: it includes two municipalities, the town of Cres (3080 inh.) and the town of Mali Lošinj (8200 inh.), public institutions, associations, entrepreneurs and companies, as well as citizens. In total, it numbers 29 founders, of which 20 are citizens and 9 are legal entities. The cooperative’s first projects are the Filozići solar power plant with a nominal power of 500kW, and an integrated solar power plant on the roof of a kindergarten in Cres.

Fisrt steps

During the first months, all the cooperative’s members were busy working on the necessary feasibility studies, preparing the initial documentation, and negotiating the purchase of land. One year later, in 2022, the assembly of cooperative members unanimously decided to purchase the chosen plot and to build the Filozići solar power plant on it.

The solar energy Filozići project in a nutshell:

• Installed power: up to 500 kW
• Annual production: 667 MWh
• Price of the land: about 65,000 euros
• Total estimated costs of the investment: 648,000 euros
• 30% of upfront costs will be collected from cooperative members and other investors through a crowdfunding campaign.
• 70% of upfront costs will be covered by a loan.

Fast fundraising through the crowd

The owner of the land, Anton Jedrječić, is himself a cooperative member and the initiator of the solar project. He decided to invest 20,000 euros as an additional cooperative share, making him the largest investor in this project so far. The cooperative assembly decided that the necessary funds needed for the land purchase would be collected from current and future cooperative members. The idea: encourage the local community to invest in it through a crowdfunding campaign that would last two months.

Instead of the anticipated two months, crowdfunding for the Filozići solar power plant lasted just three weeks raising more money than expected: The campaign aimed to collect 65,000 euros from the founders and new cooperative members in the first round. Due to the intense interest shown by residents of the Cres and Lošinj archipelago and several friends from the mainland, more than 100,000 euros of additional member contributions were collected in three weeks. During the campaign, 23 new members joined, increasing the total number of members to 58.

“We have been communicating for over a year about our idea of building a solar power plant in the north of the island. We always thought we’d finance it through a joint investment of citizens and island companies. Nonetheless, we were surprised by the speed of the reaction and the great interest to invest in the project”, said the cooperative manager Franjo Toić. He concluded that “citizens clearly want to become owners of at least part of the energy consumed on the island, and the energy cooperative is one ways they will be able to do so”.

As soon as all necessary funds were collected, the manager Toić and the land owner Jedrejčić signed a sale contract by which the cooperative became the new land owner. This was the first big step towards installing the solar panels.

Next steps

The road providing access to the construction site soon will be built. When precisely it will be depends above all on how fast the Croatian State issues the necessary permits. In the meantime, this public-civil partnership is a fantastic adventure for all the people and entities involved, demonstrating the power of bottom-up community engagement.

Inspiré par Bruno Latour

En train de préparer mon édito sur l’agenda mouvant des politiques énergétiques européennes, une des dernières analyses du philosophe Bruno Latour, qui vient de nous quitter, résonnait sans cesse : « L’accumulation des crises actuelles permettent-elles à l’Europe de trouver enfin le sol qui correspond à cette formidable invention institutionnelle que l’on continue à présenter comme suspendue hors sol et sans peuple qui lui correspondrait ? » ^[1]. Sincèrement impossible à paraphraser, encore moins à synthétiser.

Pour Bruno Latour, l’Europe tient une opportunité unique de synchroniser son modèle, son mode de vie avec ses ressources propres.

En soit, ce n’est pas révolutionnaire, mais la traduction politique de cet objectif d’adéquation ressources / besoins (d’une Europe « doughnut » ^[2] qui resterait dans les limites de ses ressources) est révolutionnaire : c’est l’Europe en tant que Peuple, Nation et en tant que territoire, qui peut et doit surgir.

Aujourd’hui, nos dépendances sont en effet terriblement, douloureusement visibles.

C’est sur un territoire bien réel que notre quotidien est ancré. Et cette crise de l’énergie impacte chacune de nos actions quotidiennes. Comme l’écrit Geneviève Pruvost : « Sans politique du quotidien, sans reconstruction collective et radicale de notre subsistance, il n’y aura pas de société égalitaire ni écologique. » ^[3]

Semaine après semaine, on annonce des « Conseils européens de l’énergie d’urgence ».

Encore un cette semaine, un autre le 25 octobre, puis un nouveau en novembre… C’est totalement inédit. C’est toute la machine institutionnelle que cette crise transforme.  Aucun des mécanismes de négociations classiques ne peut être opérant dans cette configuration inédite. Cela pose plusieurs questions : Est-ce que cette nouvelle donne permet aux politiques énergétiques d’être « ancrées » ? Y a-t-il une place pour les territoires ? Quelle place pour la politique du quotidien ? Comment donner du pouvoir d’agir à chacun pour rester maitre de notre destin d’européen·ne ?

Malheureusement, si les agendas semblent bouleversés par l’urgence, les politiques peinent encore à se saisir des questions pertinentes.

[1] https://geopolitique.eu/articles/le-sol-europeen-est-il-en-train-de-changer-sous-nos-pieds/

[2] https://doughnuteconomics.org/

[3] https://journals.openedition.org/lectures/51439

Tribune de Sandra Vlašić, rédactrice pour le PNUD, juillet 2022

Le Forum urbain mondial de l’ONU-Habitat, qui s’est tenu récemment dans la ville de Katowice, en Pologne, a montré qu’il reste beaucoup à faire pour atteindre l’objectif de développement durable 11 sur les « villes et communautés durables ».

Malgré de nombreux engagements politiques à l’échelle internationale et régionale, comme le Programme 2030 et le pacte vert pour l’Europe (ce dernier comptant deux missions visant à créer des villes durables, résilientes et climatiquement neutres), nous restons en retard sur le calendrier. « Les défis complexes auxquels notre communauté fait face ne peuvent pas être résolus uniquement par des solutions techniques », explique la ville arménienne de Charentsavan. Une phrase qui traduit bien la nature des problèmes auxquels les villes sont confrontées.

Un avant-goût douloureusement réaliste des urgences de demain ?

Les villes sont des écosystèmes complexes dans un monde complexe où des choses inimaginables se déroulent. En présentant le pacte vert pour l’Europe, la Présidente de la Commission européenne, Ursula von der Leyen, a comparé les missions de l’Union européenne aux premiers pas sur la Lune. Et en effet, la foule d’événements sans précédent qui nous ont touchés nous a donné le sentiment de nous retrouver dans une partie inexplorée de l’espace : pandémie de COVID-19 et confinements, inondations estivales en Allemagne, tornades en Europe centrale, records de chaleur, sécheresses et feux dans la région Méditerranéenne, guerre en Ukraine, hausse des prix du carburant, crises économiques… Je pourrais continuer longtemps. Nous devons à la fois faire face au présent et penser à l’avenir.Les missions doivent se poursuivre et nous devons adopter une nouvelle méthode, car les approches linéaires par projet ne fonctionnent plus.

112 villes européennes se sont engagées dans une mission en vue d’atteindre la neutralité carbone avant 2030, et pas très loin, chez nos voisins de l’est, un nombre trois fois plus élevé de villes et de municipalités ont entamé une mission similaire appelée Mayors for Economic Growth (Les maires pour le développement économique), ou dans sa version courte, #M4EG.

Qu’est-ce que #M4EG ?

« M4EG est une initiative conjointe de l’UE et du PNUD en matière de recherche et de développement qui vise à dépasser le schéma traditionnel donateur-bénéficiaire », explique Tina M. S. Stoum, cheffe de projet régionale pour Mayors for Economic Growth. « Elle est fondée sur un constat douloureux : la majorité des projets de développement entraînent des changements progressifs plutôt que les transformations radicales dont nos sociétés ont désespérément besoin. Cette initiative nous servira d’environnement de test pour essayer de nouveaux outils et de nouvelles approches. Cette nouvelle proposition de valeur repose sur des “portefeuilles”, une alternative à l’approche standard compartimentée par projet utilisée partout.  »

M4EG n’est pas un projet traditionnel, c’est une invitation au changement. Les problèmes complexes exigent des réponses systémiques. Mariela Atanassova,spécialiste en innovation stratégique et chargée des villes pour la Chôra Foundation, explique pourquoi nous avons besoin d’une approche mixte de ce type : « L’idée est que nous faisons face à des systèmes complexes qui ne peuvent pas être changés en élaborant un plan parfait et en l’exécutant, car les systèmes ont des réactions imprévisibles. Il faut adopter des outils qui permettent d’identifier les transformations nécessaires. »

C’est ce que fait M4EG, et l’initiative devient peu à peu une plateforme qui soutient les villes et les municipalités des pays du Partenariat oriental dans leur transition écologique, inclusive et numérique, et leur développement économique local 2.0.

Actuellement, plus de 350 municipalités locales en Arménie, en Azerbaïdjan, en Moldavie, en Géorgie et en Ukraine ont rejoint ce programme afin de réinventer l’avenir des villes et de les rendre durables. En 2021, M4EG a entamé la deuxième phase de ses activités, qui s’inscrit dans la continuité de la phase précédente (2017-2020). L’initiative pourra-t-elle devenir une grande plateforme collaborative pour les villes sélectionnées et servir à toutes les villes de l’UE ainsi qu’à celles des pays voisins ?

Repenser les villes, mode d’emploi

Tina Stoum explique : « En travaillant directement avec les municipalités, nous nous intégrons au contexte local, voire hyperlocal, afin d’identifier ensemble des axes de transformations adaptés à l’écosystème de la ville ou de la municipalité, puis de les mettre en œuvre. C’est un travail ambitieux qui nous invite à sortir de notre zone de confort : nous ne sommes plus des fournisseurs de solutions, mais des apprenants. Cela suppose aussi de passer d’un schéma interdisciplinaire à un schéma multidisciplinaire, car les problèmes complexes, comme la transition vers les énergies renouvelables, les inégalités et la confiance dans les autorités locales, vont souvent de pair. »

Les villes de M4EG ont plusieurs outils à leur disposition, à savoir un ensemble de dispositifs de financement, d’apprentissage de la facilitation, de mentorat, de prise de contact et de création d’une communauté et pour finir, un espace pédagogique spécial. En tout, 13 villes ont été sélectionnées dans le cadre de l’appel à candidatures européen pour les appels de portefeuilles annuels, 18 villes font partie du programme « Urban Imaginaries » et 9 autres ont été retenues pour le programme « Portfolio Journey » (d’une durée de 2 ans et plus). Et ce n’est que le début. Dernier élément mais non des moindres, M4EG s’adapte afin d’appuyer les villes ukrainiennes et moldaves en première ligne des actions de réponse, de redressement et de renouvellement face à la crise.

Repenser les villes en pratique

La ville arménienne d’Areni étudie comment développer le tourisme durable, mettre en place et préserver un environnement écoresponsable pour les résidents, et comment l’utiliser comme levier de développement permettant d’attirer les financements pour le renouvellement des infrastructures. La ville de Batoumi, en Géorgie, rêve d’un écosystème de start-ups solide qui contribuera à transformer le marché du travail local afin d’oublier les anciens secteurs et de se concentrer sur les technologies et sur des compétences plus poussées. Ceadîr-Lunga, en Moldavie, imagine un système énergétique résilient où l’énergie est abordable et provient de sources renouvelables. Une autre ville géorgienne, Koutaïssi, souhaite devenir une ville écologique et intelligente à l’empreinte carbone neutre, utiliser les ressources naturelles durablement, développer l’économie circulaire, et investir dans des espaces verts publics et l’alimentation locale. Ces descriptions s’appliquent facilement à toutes les villes européennes. C’est pourquoi il est évidemment pertinent de leur permettre d’entrer en contact à travers un réseau international de leaders urbains sur la plateforme M4EG, afin que chaque ville puisse apprendre des autres.

Qui est à l’origine de cette mission #M4EG pour les pays du Partenariat oriental ?

Personne ne peut aller loin seul, mais ensemble, nous pouvons atteindre nos objectifs. Cette mission rassemble des maires de plus de 350 municipalités locales de 5 pays, avec l’appui de la direction générale du voisinage et des négociations d’élargissement (DG-NEAR) et du PNUD. Les « partenaires compétents » sont des experts ou des pionniers expérimentés : Ove Arup, une entreprise d’ingénierie internationale de premier plan spécialiste du développement durable, qui crée des structures et des villes meilleures qui rendent les gens heureux ; EIT Climate-KIC, la plus grande communauté européenne d’innovation et de connaissances pour le climat, à la tête de la mission de l’UE pour des villes climatiquement neutres ; l’Université de technologie de Tallinn, ou TalTech, le fleuron de l’ingénierie et de l’enseignement technologique estoniens, également un centre de recherche ; le Centre for Public Impact, ou CPI, un partenaire d’apprentissage pour les gouvernements, les fonctionnaires et le réseau d’acteurs du changement, qui vise à repenser la gouvernance de sorte qu’elle convienne à toutes et tous ; et la CHÔRA Foundation, dont l’objectif est d’aider les personnes et les organisations à faire face à un monde de plus en plus complexe via une innovation stratégique et transformatrice.

Retrouvez-nous lors de l’événement « Show & Tell » et apprenez avec nous !

Pas besoin d’aller sur la Lune pour créer la ville que nous voulons. Les solutions, les connaissances et les ressources se trouvent dans nos communautés. La ville que nous voulons est un endroit agréable à vivre, durable, inclusif, sûr et sain, où tout le monde a un travail ou une source de revenus décente, le soutien nécessaire et un accès aux services de base. C’est un espace convivial fait pour les êtres humains, où vivre en harmonie avec la nature. Ensemble, faisons du monde un endroit plus agréable !

Rejoignez-nous lors de l’événement « M4EG Show & Tell » qui aura lieu en ligne le 28 juillet et découvrez en avant-première les nouvelles pistes de transformation urbaine : de la gestion des déchets à la restauration des lieux culturels, rencontrez le réseau M4EG et explorez les approches pilotes menées par des équipes municipales locales.

Consulter https://eum4eg.com

L’été est là et tandis que les vacancier·ères préparent leurs bagages pour rejoindre leur destination, la saison des vacances fait naître chez les Européen·nes un sentiment de sécurité trompeur. La vérité, c’est qu’une guerre fait rage en Ukraine et que l’approvisionnement énergétique est menacé en Europe. Les Ukrainien·nes continuent d’être brutalement bombardé·es chaque jour et les dirigeant·es européen·nes se démènent pour savoir comment iels vont fournir de l’énergie aux populations et au secteur économique lorsque les mois d’hiver seront à notre porte.

Les prix de l’énergie ne cessent de grimper tandis que l’approvisionnement en gaz naturel se raréfie au fil des semaines. Les États membres européens ne reçoivent en effet plus que 40 à 60 % du flux qu’ils recevaient de Russie l’an passé. Et pendant que Gazprom refuse d’honorer ses obligations contractuelles, les installations européennes de stockage de gaz peinent à se remplir.

Hier, la Commission européenne a publié le paquet Des économies de gaz pour un hiver sûr, une stratégie qui vise à encourager les États membres à réduire leur consommation de gaz de 15 % entre août et mars, afin d’anticiper d’éventuelles nouvelles ruptures d’approvisionnement en provenance de Russie. Si le plan prévoit d’exploiter les potentiels d’économie de gaz dans les bâtiments, les centrales électriques et les industries, il encourage également les États membres à accroître les activités d’extraction au niveau national et à procéder à des changements de combustible en faveur d’énergies plus polluantes, ce qui est une terrible nouvelle pour les objectifs climatiques et les ambitions de réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre.

Les alertes estivales menacent les objectifs climatiques européens 

Les Pays-Bas se préparent à augmenter la production du gisement de Groningue, la plus grande réserve de gaz naturel d’Europe continentale. Bien qu’elle ait été qualifiée de mesure de dernier recours, cette décision pourrait remettre en cause la stratégie de sortie progressive d’ici 2028, et replonger les communautés voisines dans la crainte de tremblements de terre d’origine anthropique provoqués par les activités d’extraction. 

Nous assistons bel et bien à une “renaissance du charbon” : des centrales thermiques au charbon qui avaient cessé leurs activités ou étaient sur le point de le faire sont remises en service à plein régime afin d’équilibrer les réseaux électriques. 

L’Allemagne et l’Italie illustrent parfaitement ce retour en arrière : les projets d’élimination progressive du charbon sont abandonnés afin d’économiser le plus de gaz possible et accélérer le remplissage des réservoirs de stockage. Berlin a ainsi remis en exploitation 16 centrales qui avaient été mises en sommeil, tout en prolongeant la durée de vie de 11 autres déjà en fonctionnement. Rome se prépare quant à elle à augmenter la capacité de production de 6 centrales.  

En Autriche, le Ministère de l’action climatique et de l’énergie apporte un soutien financier aux industries et aux installations à forte consommation d’énergie pour qu’elles passent temporairement du gaz au pétrole, et une centrale thermique en Styrie a été réalimentée en charbon, alors le pays avait réussi à éliminer cette source d’énergie en 2020. 

Ce sont de terribles nouvelles pour les objectifs climatiques de l’Union européenne, car ces initiatives nationales prises pour équilibrer un paysage énergétique instable renvoient le continent dix ans en arrière, lorsque la réduction de 55 % des émissions d’ici à 2030 et la neutralité climatique d’ici à 2050 n’étaient même pas concevables. À l’approche de l’hiver, ce sont plus de 100 milliards de mètres cubes de gaz naturel russe qui manquent à l’appel et le Kremlin est bien décidé à tirer profit de cette situation alarmante en représailles aux sanctions européennes. Face à cette menace, la diversification de nos approvisionnements et la substitution des combustibles ne nous mèneront pas bien loin.

La seule solution viable dont dispose l’Europe pour se préparer à l’hiver est d’éviter de consommer de l’énergie en premier lieu. 

Les villes deviennent des piliers de la sécurité énergétique en Europe

La réduction de la consommation d’énergie peut offrir des alternatives concrètes à la récente réouverture en urgence des centrales au charbon décidée par les gouvernements nationaux. Depuis l’agression de l’Ukraine par la Russie, les villes européennes ont adopté une position ferme contre Poutine et son chantage à l’énergie, en se protégeant elles-mêmes contre la hausse vertigineuse des prix de l’énergie et en se rangeant aux côtés du peuple ukrainien. De nombreux·ses maires européen·nes ont ainsi choisi de ne pas financer la machine de guerre du Kremlin et refusé de se soumettre à une coûteuse dépendance aux combustibles fossiles russes en diminuant leur consommation d’énergie, tout en garantissant les services à leurs citoyen·nes et en préservant leurs ambitions climatiques.

Rappelant les mesures d’économie d’énergie prises en réaction à la crise pétrolière de 1973, les municipalités se sont serré la ceinture pour réduire leurs dépenses énergétiques, tout en maintenant des niveaux de confort compatibles avec le mode de vie de leurs habitant·es. Les collectivités locales ont déjà pu jouer un rôle proactif dans de nombreux domaines : 

• Le CHAUFFAGE représente une part énorme de la consommation de gaz en milieu urbain et abaisser le thermostat de quelques degrés pourrait permettre de réaliser des économies substantielles. La capitale néerlandaise Amsterdam a ainsi baissé la température de son réseau de chauffage urbain de 21°C à 18°C, diminuant ainsi de 15 % la consommation municipale de gaz naturel. 

• L’ÉCLAIRAGE DES VOIES PUBLIQUES est également un secteur qui peut participer à réduire considérablement la pression sur les réseaux électriques. La municipalité bulgare de Sredets, par exemple, a réduit la durée de l’éclairage public de 40 minutes la nuit, tout en diminuant l’intensité des ampoules.
• LA MOBILITÉ est fortement impactée par les marchés pétroliers, mais peu de réglementations urbaines peuvent alléger la pression des prix des carburants. La ville française de Lyon a limité la vitesse à 30 km/h sur 84 % de son réseau routier, permettant ainsi aux conducteur·rices de moins consommer de carburant tout en encourageant l’utilisation des transports publics pour se déplacer plus rapidement. 

Ce ne sont là que quelques exemples qui montrent que les collectivités locales sont les mieux placées pour réduire la demande d’énergie face à d’éventuelles pénuries hivernales. Solidement ancrées dans leurs territoires, les municipalités peuvent exploiter un énorme potentiel d’économies d’énergie dont les gouvernements nationaux ont désespérément besoin. Un potentiel qui ne demande qu’à être activé par les populations désireuses de réduire leur consommation d’énergie, mais dont la réalisation nécessite de mener des campagnes locales et d’entretenir un lien de confiance avec les autorités locales.

A quoi faut-il attendre cet hiver ?

L’Europe est à la croisée des chemins. Une moindre disponibilité de l’énergie oblige les gouvernements nationaux à faire des choix qui compromettent les ambitions climatiques et nos aspirations à un avenir durable. Le charbon est un monstre du passé auquel nous devons définitivement tourner le dos ; et si nous nous tournons actuellement vers le gaz et le pétrole pour alimenter nos économies, accroître l’utilisation des combustibles fossiles disponibles pour combler les lacunes de notre approvisionnement énergétique est un choix terrible pour notre planète. Éviter de consommer l’énergie est la seule option durable qui permette à l’Europe de tenir une position ferme face à l’agresseur russe, d’accroître notre indépendance énergétique et de maintenir nos ambitions climatiques. 

Les villes s’imposent de plus en plus comme les gardiennes de la sécurité énergétique en Europe, en prenant des engagements sans précédent dans un domaine qui était historiquement une prérogative exclusive des gouvernements nationaux. En réduisant leur consommation d’énergie, les collectivités locales contribuent à protéger les ambitions climatiques de l’UE et à empêcher une planification énergétique nationale irréfléchie. 

Le Cities’ Energy Saving Sprint est un outil puissant pour encourager les collectivités locales à prendre des mesures d’économie d’énergie. Lancée par la Convention des Maires – Europe, en collaboration avec la Commission européenne et le Comité européen des régions, cette campagne vise à sensibiliser les collectivités locales aux options dont elles disposent pour protéger les citoyen·nes contre la hausse des prix de l’énergie et les risques de coupure. 

Inscrivez votre ville au Sprint et contribuez à l’indépendance énergétique de l’Europe ! 

Energy communities find themselves at very different stages of development. Some are informal groups that have just started thinking about setting up an energy community, some are already established legal entities that only need a last bit of expert support to get their renewable energy project over the finish line.

Four technical assistance activities to match energy communities’ needs

With this in mind, the Energy Communities Repository has built up a technical assistance programme made of different forms of support to take into account the different needs of applicants.

Direct technical assistance

At least 25 energy communities will benefit from direct technical support from experts in the field.

Capacity building at national level

Workshops and webinars will be held in local language in the following countries: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia (extension towards Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina), Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, targeting at least 80 communities.

Twinnings and peer-to-peer exchanges

On specific topics and issues faced by energy communities. Successful applicants will be matched with experienced energy communities and/or national experts based on the applicants’ needs and wherever possible, by language. The twinnings will be organised in 3 online sessions.

Capacity building at EU level

These activities will be complemented by EU-wide capacity-building webinars.

More information on the Technical Assistance offer

Visit the Energy Communities Repository website, discover how to apply and consult the FAQs, or watch the Technical Assistance Launch Webinar.

…and the Energy Communities Repository team, made of Energy Cities, REScoop.eu, FEDARENE, Florence School of Regulation, and Akarion, is there to help you! Send us an email at info [at] ec-repository.eu

#EUCitiesSaveEnergy #StandWithUkraine

Qu’est que le Cities Energy Saving Sprint?

Aujourd’hui, 19 mai, la Commission européenne, la Convention des Maires – Europe et le Comité des Régions lancent The Cities Energy Saving Sprint, une initiative conjointe qui encourage les villes à prendre des mesures pour réduire au plus vite la consommation locale d’énergie.

Le “Sprint” va durer 4 mois, jusqu’à la Semaine européenne de l’énergie durable (EUSEW) qui aura lieu du 26 au 30 septembre 2022, durant laquelle la Convention des Maires partagera les résultats préliminaires de la campagne.

D’ici là, les villes peuvent saisir l’opportunité offerte par les Sustainable Energy Days de l’Union européenne pour organiser des échanges avec leurs habitant⸱es, les équipes municipales et les parties-prenantes du territoire pour prendre des mesures urgentes d’économie d’énergie.

Que peuvent faire les villes dès maintenant ?

Dans le cadre de la campagne, le bureau de la Convention des Maires – Europe a conçu le Cities Energy Saving Toolkit, qui propose aux villes des mesures simples et rapides à prendre dans l’urgence de préparer le prochain hiver.

Les villes y trouveront également dans ce toolkit des exemples concrets : des témoignages de villes qui ont déjà pris toutes types de mesures, dans différents secteurs :

• Mobilité,
• Eclairage,
• Chauffage et refroidissement,
• Implication des citoyen⸱nes et autres parties prenants locales.

Vous pouvez agir dès maintenant pour sécuriser une énergie durable et abordable à tou⸱te⸱s. Rejoignez le Cities Energy Saving Sprint en vous inscrivant ici! La campagne est ouverte à toutes les collectivités locales de l’Union européenne et au-delà.

Utilisez le kit de communication du Cities Energy Saving Sprint pour promouvoir vos actions locales et prendre part à ce mouvement européen #EUCitiesSaveEnergy

Chaque gramme de gaz à effet de serre évité dans les mois à venir comptera, non seulement pour le climat, mais aussi comme acte de solidarité envers l’Ukraine. Nous avons un rôle essentiel à jouer, les villes ont un rôle essentiel à jouer. Rejoignez le Sprint!

Plus d’infos

Rendez-vous sur la page de la campagne ou envoyez un e-mail à energy-saving-sprint [ at ] eumayors.eu.

#EUCitiesSaveEnergy #StandWithUkraine

What is the Cities Energy Saving Sprint?

Today, 19th May, the European Commission, the Covenant of Mayors – Europe and the European Committee of the Regions are launching The Cities Energy Saving Sprint, a joint initiative that encourages cities to take measures that will immediately reduce their energy consumption.

The “Sprint” will last for 4 months, until the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) to be held from 26 to 30 September 2022, when the Covenant of Mayors Office will share preliminary results of the campaign.

In the meantime, cities can seize the opportunity of the EU Sustainable Energy Days to hold discussions with their residents, staff and local stakeholders to take emergency energy-saving measures.

What can cities do now?

As part of the campaign, the Covenant of Mayors – Europe Office has developped the Cities Energy Saving Toolkit, which gives cities simple and quick measures they can take in the emergency to prepare for the next winter.

To make those short-term initiatives practical, the toolkit includes City Reports: testimonies from cities that already took this kind of measures, sorted by sectors:

• transport
• lighting
• heating and cooling
• engaging citizens and local stakeholders.

You can act now to secure sustainable, affordable energy supplyt to all. Join the Cities Energy Saving Sprint by registering here! The campaign is open to all local governements across the EU and beyond.

Use the Cities Energy Saving Sprint’s communication kit to promote your local actions and be part of an EU-wide movement. #EUCitiesSaveEnergy

Every gram of GHG avoided in the coming months will be an important step, not only for the climate, but also as an act of solidarity with Ukraine. We have a crucial role to play, municipalities have a crucial role to play. Join the Sprint!

More information

Visit the Sprint page on the Covenant of Mayors – Europe website or send an email to energy-saving-sprint [ at ] eumayors.eu.

J’ai récemment découvert le manga « Radiant ». Il propose une description d’un monde… tellement proche du notre! Pour combattre “les méchants” (appellés « l’inquisition »), il faut se ressourcer dans la forêt (appellée « fantasia »). C’est la force de l’imaginaire et de la nature qui permet de contrer les forces « excavatrices » qui ont déjà transformé la planète en gruyère, il ne reste que des ilots de croûte terrestre…..

Nous vivons une période riche. Très intense, pas toujours positive, mais riche.  Il y a l’urgence de la guerre, du changement climatique, de la pauvreté. Mais il y a aussi un terreau fertile de solutions qui ne demandent qu’à être reproduites et généralisées.

Les enjeux se clarifient, les stratégies sont détaillées, les étapes sont définies. Manquent la gouvernance, les mécanismes institutionnels, les formations aux changements de comportements, aux nouvelles méthodes, aux nouvelles solutions techniques. Manquent les dates précises de chaque étape, et la cohérence d’ensemble de nos systèmes juridiques, fiscaux, budgétaires, de nos politiques d’emploi, de santé. Manque le temps de réfléchir pour mettre en musique toutes ces transformations.

La Commission européenne a annoncé ce mois-ci les 100 villes qui font partie de la mission climatiquement neutres en 2030. Ces villes ont pour mission de prouver que la neutralité climatique est possible en apprenant les unes des autres, de leurs trajectoires et de leurs difficultés, et de constituer une communauté pour avancer ensemble.

Echanger, inspirer, apprendre, c’est aussi le cœur des Assises européennes de la transition énergétique qui auront lieu à Genève, ou du festival « New European Bauhaus » qui se tiendra à Bruxelles au mois de juin. Ou encore du URBACT City Festival. Il faut saisir ces occasions de puiser dans ces sources vives d’inspiration, elles donnent l’énergie pour avancer ! Pour moi, c’est un carburant inépuisable et une énergie vitale nécessaire !

C’est aussi notre mission !  Et c’est pour accompagner au mieux cette nouvelle phase de l’action climat et énergie dans les villes et son intensification, que nous lançons nos Hubs. Ce sont de véritables espaces de discussion, d’inspiration, d’apprentissage, de débat autour des axes de transformations des territoires, pour capitaliser sur les échanges, et créer communauté. Pour faire le plein de carburant !

J’ai toujours été impressionnée par la vitalité des membres de notre réseau. Et je note un changement de ton. Aujourd’hui, ce que je vois, c’est la détermination de nos élu⸱es, des équipes municipales. Détermination et action, ce sont les mots qui me viennent après les échanges intenses de mes derniers voyages à Bruxelles, Valencia, Vienna, Metz…

Et c’est enthousiasmant !

PS : Pour nous retrouver aux assises, nous vous donnons rendez-vous le mardi 31 mai à 14h00, lors de l’atelier “Les entreprises locales de distribution d’électricité en Europe : outil de la transition pour les citoyens et les collectivités” (atelier 105)

Voir grand, commencer petit, apprendre vite : C’est probablement la meilleure façon de décrire l’approche du gouvernement local de Barcelone pour s’attaquer à l’immense problème croissant de la précarité énergétique. Poussée par l’objectif ambitieux de parvenir à 0% (oui, zéro!) de précarité énergétique d’ici 2030, la ville a mis en place un service citoyen dédié à ce phénomène. Comment répliquer rapidement ce que Barcelone à su mettre en place ces dernières années?

Chaque habitant de la ville peut obtenir un soutien et des conseils auprès du bureau, un guichet unique pour les personnes vulnérables. Comme l’explique Julia Linares du conseil municipal de Barcelone, ce point-info est à la fois un centre d’aide (sociale, juridique, économique), une opportunité d’emploi (beaucoup des conseillers ont été formés après un chômage longue durée) et le point de départ d’un travail dans les quartiers pour détecter et réduire la précarité.

Pour aider d’autres villes à se préparer à la mise en place de mécanismes de soutien similaires, la Convention européenne des maires vient de lancer son pilier sur la pauvreté énergétique. En complément à l’atténuation et l’adaptation, ce troisième pilier devrait aider les signataires à définir des objectifs et des mesures liés aux impacts sociaux négatifs de la hausse des prix de l’énergie, aux mauvaises conditions de logement ou même à la décarbonisation de nos modes de production et de consommation.

La Convention des Maires et l’Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) ont uni leurs forces et développé une méthodologie pour

1) diagnostiquer

2) planifier, et

3) mettre en oeuvre des actions contre la précarité énergétique. 

Energy Cities apporte un soutien très concret aux villes à travers deux de ses projets phares sociaux :

La précarité énergétique nous rend malade

La santé est une dimension souvent négligée quand on parle de précarité énergétique. WELLBASED, un projet de recherche (Horizon 2020), s’intéresse à la détresse physique et psychologique dont souffrent les personnes touchées. Les six villes pilotes Valence (Espagne), Heerlen (Pays-Bas), Leeds (Royaume-Uni), Edirne (Turquie), Obuda (Hongrie) et Jelgava (Lettonie) conçoivent et mettent actuellement en œuvre six programmes pilotes visant particulièrement à améliorer la santé, le bien-être et l’égalité des personnes touchées par la pauvreté énergétique. Sur la base de ces expériences, les pilotes et leurs partenaires universitaires et à but non lucratif proposeront aux décideurs politiques et aux praticiens des villes des solutions reproductibles à l’échelle européenne.

Des modèles commerciaux créés avec et pour des clients vulnérables

Les services énergétiques sont rarement conçus avec le consommateur et rarement pour les personnes qui ont du mal à payer leur facture. Les six projets pilotes du projet POWER UP serviront de “laboratoires vivants” car ils exploreront, avec les ménages touchés par la pauvreté énergétique, les modèles commerciaux qui peuvent être financièrement et socialement viables. Les professionnels les plus en contacts avec les personnes en situation précaire, notamment le personnel du care ou dans le département social de la ville, serviront d’intermédiaire pour ces activités de co-conception.

Le 6 avril, le 3^ème groupe d’experts du GIEC a publié son dernier rapport, consacré à la lutte contre le changement climatique. Leurs conclusions ne sont pas surprenantes et comme l’a dit le secrétaire général des Nations unies, António Guterres : « [Ce rapport] est une litanie de promesses non tenues ». Nous ne sommes pas sur la bonne voie pour limiter le réchauffement climatique à 1,5°C d’ici à 2050. Même si l’augmentation des émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES) entre 2010 et 2019 n’a pas été aussi importante qu’entre 2000 et 2010, nous avons atteint un pic sans précédent en 2019. Nos émissions doivent atteindre un plafond avant 2025 et être réduites de 43 % d’ici 2030 si nous voulons atteindre des émissions nettes de CO2 nulles d’ici 2050 et limiter le réchauffement climatique à 1,5 °C. 

Beaucoup reste à faire, mais les solutions sont à notre portée ! Nous avons été heureux de constater que le GIEC a mis en avant certaines des recommandations qu’Energy Cities promeut depuis un certain temps déjà : 

Des responsables politiques plus ambitieux 

Les politiques et les lois sur le climat se sont multipliées ces dernières années, mais cela ne suffit pas. Nous avons la science, nous avons les technologies, mais les responsables politiques détiennent la clé d’une atténuation efficace du changement climatique.   

Cliquez ici pour voir notre proposition d’imposer une planification locale dans la directive révisée sur les énergies renouvelables 

Un arrêt immédiat des investissements dans les énergies fossiles 

Les investissements publics et privés restent plus importants pour les énergies fossiles que pour l’adaptation et la lutte contre le changement climatique. Il n’y a pas d’autre choix que de se désengager des énergies fossiles pour réorienter les fonds vers des mesures climatiques et la production d’énergies renouvelables. 

Cliquez ici pour accéder à la lettre de la Community Power Coalition demandant à la Commission de supprimer le gaz et le nucléaire de sa taxonomie des activités durables 

Des petites installations aux grands potentiels 

Les petites unités de production d’énergie à faible émission de GES sont très prometteuses. Le GIEC s’accorde à dire qu’elles sont moins onéreuses et ont un potentiel de perfectionnement plus élevé que leurs homologues à grand échelle, ce qui en fait un excellent outil de lutte contre le changement climatique. Nous pensons que le succès des communautés d’énergie renouvelable au cours des dernières années le prouve – ce modèle fonctionne et devrait être reproduit et étendu dans le monde entier. 

Cliquez ici pour accéder à notre guide étape par étape pour créer des communautés énergétiques 

Qui sont les véritables radicaux ? 

Le Secrétaire général de l’ONU a, une fois de plus, mis le doigt sur le problème lorsqu’il a déclaré que « Les militants du climat sont parfois décrits comme de dangereux radicaux. Mais les radicaux vraiment dangereux sont les pays qui augmentent la production de combustibles fossiles. Investir dans de nouvelles infrastructures d’exploitation des énergies fossiles est une folie morale et économique. » 

Vous voulez en savoir plus ? 

Le rapport complet est disponible ici . Un résumé pour les législateurs et une synthèse technique du rapport sont également disponibles ! 

La guerre en Ukraine fait rage et nous avons plusieurs villes membres dans ce pays. Ces derniers jours, nous avons pris des nouvelles de nos partenaires. Passé le choc, c’est la colère et la détermination que nous entendons dans leurs témoignages. Le Conseil d’Administration d’Energy Cities a, dès jeudi dernier, envoyé un message de soutien à ses pairs.

Nombre de nos villes membres nous ont demandé comment aider.

[cette section est régulièrement mise à jour afin d’inclure d’autres façons dont les villes peuvent aider].

Les besoins les plus pressants qui nous ont été exprimés sont des équipements de protection (casques, gilets) qu’il est déjà difficile de se procurer en nombre. Nous avons demandé à nos partenaires quelles associations fiables il est possible de soutenir. En voici une liste non exhaustive :[cette section est régulièrement mise à jour afin d’inclure d’autres façons dont les villes peuvent aider].Les besoins les plus pressants qui nous ont été exprimés sont des équipements de protection (casques, gilets) qu’il est déjà difficile de se procurer en nombre. Nous avons demandé à nos partenaires quelles associations fiables il est possible de soutenir. En voici une liste non exhaustive :

• La Croix Rouge : https://www.icrc.org/en/donate/ukraine
• MitOst : https://www.mitost.org/ : association européenne qui se concentre sur les échanges culturels et la citoyenneté active dans cette zone géographique. L’association organise déjà des actions pour l’accueil des réfugié·es.
• La Banque Nationale de l’Ukraine a ouvert un compte dédié au soutien des forces armées du pays : https://bank.gov.ua/en/news/all/natsionalniy-bank-vidkriv-spetsrahunok-dlya-zboru-koshtiv-na-potrebi-armiyi

Nous savons aussi que plusieurs des villes membres du réseau participent déjà à cet élan de solidarité et organisent des collectes, notamment de médicaments et matériel de protection.

Le Centre d’Information et de Soutien pour les régions et les villes du Comité Européen des Régions offre des informations sur les droits et les fonds, ainsi que sur les possibilités de soutien et de défense des intérêts. Ils ont lancé une initiative visant à faire correspondre les besoins aux offres de soutien des autorités locales et régionales. En particulier, grâce à cette enquête, les villes de l’UE peuvent dire ce qu’elles peuvent faire pour aider, notamment accueillir les réfugiés.

Nous porterons la voix des villes ukrainiennes et des villes limitrophes qui accueillent les réfugié·es.

Nous mettons en contact les villes avec des journalistes. Des interviews sont déjà prévues. Nous mettons tout en œuvre pour porter leurs voix à travers les moyens de notre réseau !

Voici un message de notre ville membre Mariupol, qui subit actuellement une catastrophe humanitaire [traduction par Energy Cities].

« La ville de Mariupol a besoin d’aide de toute urgence.

En résultat de l’agression militaire de la Russie le 24 février à 5 heures du matin, les villes, villages et petites communautés ukrainiennes sont sous le feu constant de l’artillerie et des frappes aériennes des troupes militaires russes.

Mariupol, une ville ukrainienne paisible de 550 000 habitant(e)s, déjà victime de bombardements par l’armée russe en 2015 qui ont tué 30 civils, endure à nouveau 7 ans après les pilonnages et bombardements des mêmes troupes du même pays. Des dizaines de civils ont été tués, dont des enfants. Des milliers d’habitant(e)s de la ville et de ses environs ont été évacué(e)s.

Nous avons besoin de votre aide.

La municipalité de Mariupol a ouvert des comptes dédiés à la collecte de dons pour les besoins humanitaires urgents des victimes de cette agression russe.

Les informations sur la collecte et l’utilisation des fonds seront fournies sur la chaîne Telegram officielle de la ville : https://t.me/mariupolrada.

Le Maire de la Ville va personnellement contrôler l’utilisation des dons. »

La réponse de l’Union européenne est sans appel

Pour la première fois, l’UE va fournir des armes à un pays en guerre et a d’ores et déjà activé de nombreuses sanctions économiques.

Nous sommes déterminé·es à continuer de faire vivre la démocratie et la coopération décentralisée, grâce aux membres de notre réseau. Nous sommes solidaires de l’Ukraine. Nous croyons en l’Europe plus que jamais.

Claire, et toute l’équipe d’Energy Cities.

Cities are on the front line of the fight against climate change and they are the ones that will implement the systemic changes and measures to deliver a fair transition. However, the issue of resources is crucial to the success of their action.

The European landscape of project funding opportunities is currently undergoing significant change, mainly because of the post-COVID recovery programme and new European priorities. Energy Cities published a new briefing to guide cities through this landscape of financial support and opportunities at the EU level.

The EU has many different funding sources and initiatives available to cities. They have their own focus, operational guidelines and requirement. Our briefing presents the following programmes to help cities access the help they need in building a decarbonised, decentralised and democratised future:

Traditional research programmes

• Horizon Europe & the mission the climate-neutral and smart cities
• Circular Cities and Regions Initiative
• LIFE programme

The traditional regional cohesion and development programmes

• Cohesion Policy (REACT-EU Package)
• EU Urban initiative (URBACT, JPI Urban Europe, UIA)
• INTERREG programme
• Just transition mechanism

The initiatives to raise your profile but with no financial support

• Green City Accord

We are also monitoring the following initiatives – keep an eye on them, new funding opportunities might come in the future!

• Affordable Housing Initiative
• New European Bauhaus initiative

In the briefing, we also analysed how local authorities can benefit from the recovery package, presenting the Italian and Greek examples, and which opportunities are or will be available for green local investments.

Stay tuned, Energy Cities will provide more content on the national recovery plans in the coming months!

Download the briefing

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has just released its ‘State of Energy Policy 2026’ offering a timely 50-year perspective on energy security policies. One message stands out clearly: our growing interdependencies are making this crisis potentially more severe than the three previous shocks combined — 1973, 1979, and 2022. Yet it’s unclear whether we fully grasp the scale of what is coming. So far, the impact has only begun to surface.

We have also learned that since 2019, public spending on energy policies has more than doubled.

In response, European Commissioners convened an exceptional seminar this week to discuss what is increasingly seen as an unprecedented crisis. Teams working on the upcoming “energy security” package, expected at the end of May, are now focused on crisis-response measures consisting of a shared “toolbox” for Member States. One of the proposed measures is a temporary tax on excess profits made by energy companies. Notably, it is being championed by an unusual coalition of countries – Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Portugal – which rarely align on economic matters.

In each country, governments are struggling to contain rising public discontent through emergency measures. Ireland has already experienced refinery blockades by protesters. The agricultural sector is now gearing up for coordinated protests across several countries. So far, Spain is the only nation to have taken decisive steps, introducing a €5 billion emergency plan. A fragmented response is no longer viable. What’s needed now is a shared vision for the European energy system – and for society as a whole – along with clear steps for individual implementation.

Too often, citizens and small businesses are sidelined in debates deemed too complex for them. Meanwhile, distribution operators remain wary of user participation, fearing system instability. The European institutions that once enabled the rollout of decentralised renewable energy and energy communities now seem to see their role only in infrastructure interconnections and technological pipe dreams (frankly, what is the point of a hydrogen bank when we should be investing massively in solar power across the entire territory to meet local needs?). We need to reopen the conversation, rebuild trust and stop hiding behind our nuclear facilities.

The solutions already exist. Rapid and widescale deployment must become the priority. This is not just a task for Member States. The European Union must also provide a clear, enabling framework. Persistent barriers still need to be addressed. In a recent study, we examine how local stakeholders can play a much broader role in the energy system – beyond simple production and distribution. To build a more resilient, economically relevant, and agile system – one that can also be deployed more quickly – we propose concrete public policy measures. By better coordinating flexibility and storage services at the local level, these measures would significantly strengthen the system as a whole.

It is critically urgent – and this is an understatement – to have honest conversations about the challenges ahead, what is coming and what each individual and every municipality can do both now and in the medium term. Only coordinated action and a collective response to this “master crisis” can safeguard our rights!

Following the recent war in the Middle East, energy prices globally – and in Europe – are on the rise. In the 44 days since the start of the conflict, President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen highlighted that “our bill for fossil fuel imports has increased by over EUR 22 billion”.  And even if the war was to end tomorrow, oil and gas prices are projected to stay high, impacting Europeans’ energy bills.

This is the price of our fossil fuel dependency. Once again, Europe finds itself grappling with the consequences of global conflicts on its energy supply – uncertain of what prices will look like from one day to the next.

This is not a new story. We saw it with the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and we’re seeing it again now. The EU is scrambling to respond to price volatility and protect its population from another price shock. 

The answer is there: homegrown renewables. And Europe knows it.   

Spain has shown that by steadily investing in renewables over the past decade, they are able to cushion price shocks. Right now, everyone agrees that homegrown renewables are the way. EU Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen has made clear that the way forward is “more renewables, as fast as possible”. 

It seems that Europe is learning the lesson: beyond climate, renewables mean independence for Europe. And indeed, renewables in Europe are unequivocally on the rise. Electrification is high on the agenda.  

But Europe is hitting a snag: grids are at capacity, increasingly over-burdened by the amount of renewable energy produced. At least 120 GW of planned renewable projects in Europe are at risk due to grid constraints. Congestion is becoming a bigger issue by the day. More electric and more renewables in this context will not get Europe to where it needs to be if we don’t manage to balance the energy system.   

There is a response: increasing storage and fossil-free flexibility.  

What does this mean exactly?   

Fossil-free flexibility means being able to, in real time, adjust demand and supply of energy, only using clean technologies rather than gas power plants. This is possible thanks to, among other things: photovoltaic, storage, heat pumps, electric boilers or electric vehicles operated by smart appliance control, as well as energy management systems.  

Fossil-free flexibility not only helps balance the grid, but it also helps bring down prices of energy even more. Using electricity when it’s cheap and storing it when it’s expensive and altogether avoiding using gas that drives electricity prices up and makes them volatile. 

A flexible system enables the continued roll-out of renewables, avoids wasted renewable electricity, prevents grid issues while spreading out or avoiding expensive intervention on the grid – keeping bills low and under control. 

Fossil-free flexibility and storage are essential in Europe’s quest for homegrown independence.  

And guess what? These solutions are often local.  

Local stakeholders – municipalities, citizens, communities, businesses – play an essential role in implementing such solutions.  

Not only are they energy consumers, but they also play an active role, producing, storing, and managing energy locally. Local, smaller-scale deployment of renewables carries a big potential in renewable and flexibility production. 

Local stakeholders also manage key flexibility assets, such as heat pumps, electric boilers, and storage. They are essential providers for small and medium-scale storage, with commercial and residential storage representing 65% of the EU’s total storage capacity. 

Buildings, which are managed at the local level, are also a major field for flexibility. According to Solar Power Europe, they could cover 40% of the flexibility needs by 2030.  They also cover 61% of total solar capacity and could reach 40% of the EU’s electricity demand by 2050. 

Local governments and energy communities also can engage citizens and SMEs in fossil-free flexibility. Local authorities know what their areas need, and the options available, and can coordinate people and space to enable flexible energy solutions. 

A few examples. 

Local energy communities can be vehicles of this demand-driven flexibility, as shown by the community energy project Romaflex in Italy, developed by Enostra. It connects households, small businesses, and public buildings that produce or use renewable electricity, often with solar panels or batteries.  

A digital system monitors energy use and production in real time and shifts electricity consumption to times when renewable energy is available. The local grid operator can also buy this flexibility to help manage the electricity network in the area. 

The way a neighbourhood is planned, and buildings are designed also can enable flexibility. In Utrecht for instance, a new neighbourhood with about 4,000 homes is being designed to work more efficiently with the electricity grid and require less grid capacity, through a collaboration between the municipality and the local DSO  

The homes use a mix of energy efficiency, solar power, batteries, and smart appliances that can adjust when electricity is used. By spreading electricity use more evenly throughout the day, the neighbourhood reduces pressure on the grid and makes it easier to connect new homes. 

In the UK, the electricity system operator NESO launched a new marketplace in 2023 to help manage grid congestion in Scotland. The system allows local energy users and producers to adjust their electricity use or generation when the grid is under stress. For example, electric vehicle chargers, homes that can shift their electricity use, or small energy producers can temporarily change their consumption or production to help keep the grid balanced. 

All these examples show us: these solutions are being managed at local level. 

In the way they are used, designed and implemented. 

The EU needs to focus on accelerating fossil-free flexibility solutions. And there are no better actors for that than local governments working with the local ecosystem. This means that if the EU is serious about homegrown energy independence, it urgently needs to invest into decentralised systems and local solutions – making sure it’s fully supporting local actors in their transitions. 

This is the only way it can maintain stability in an instable world, reduce dependencies and stand strong in an increasingly tense geopolitical climate.  

Dive into our latest Policy Paper to find out more!

On 9th April, Energy Cities organised a new session of its Community of Practice on sustainable cooling, with a clear goal: to discuss the challenge of creating livable cities in a hotter climate. 

In 2025, two initial sessions were held, and the insights gathered were integrated into a Policy Paper titled “How Are Cities Answering the Call for Fossil-Free Cooling?” The sessions includes testimonies from the City of Marseilles (France) and Forest (Belgium), along with expert contributions to frame the sustainable cooling challenge. The paper highlights the state of play at the EU level, where cooling demand is expected to account for nearly 9% of total energy demand by 2050, and explores both technical and nature-based solutions. 

Energy Cities has outlined key recommendations for both cities and national authorities. You can check out the full set of recommendations in the paper. 

Building coalitions for local cooling planning

In this latest session, we heard from Ecodes (Spain), a civil society organisation that has been working for over two years on the policy process for local heating and cooling plans. Their team conducted extensive consultations and produced the Heating and Cooling Guide, which provides clear guidance and recommendations for cities, while also calling for national support.

In Spain, one in three households struggles to keep their homes cool during hot days. Despite 162 cities being required to develop local heating and cooling plans, only one has managed to do so. This highlights the urgent need for cities to receive more support in implementing effective solutions. 

Ecodes’ key recommendation for all stakeholders is straightforward: start building coalitions of the willing and don’t wait for the perfect legal or supportive framework. Moreover, it’s essential to start integrating cooling into urban planning from the outset, as integrated planning is a key component of successful solutions. 

Heat pumps and smart technologies driving the cooling transition

Following our previous exploration of district cooling, this session also featured a presentation from a member of the European Heat Pump Association – Panasonic Europe. The presentation provided an overview of the latest technological developments, positioning heat pumps as one of the most common solutions for cooling buildings. 

From individual heat pumps to collective systems, the transition from gas boilers to clean, heat-pump-based cooling solutions is underway. However, educating consumers on the efficient use of heat pumps is crucial for this transition. New technologies also offer smart management features, giving municipalities more flexibility and control over their cooling systems. 

Interested in learning more or joining the next session? Subscribe to our Hub 2 bulletin to stay informed about future sessions. 

Presentations from our session

Located in the heart of the Ruhr region, Essen is the tenth-largest city in Germany, with about 596,000 residents. It is an industrial city that, in the past, was producing coal and steel. Its structural transformation still influences Essen today. In 2023, the poverty risk rate was 22.5%, meaning that one in five residents is at risk of poverty. Two-thirds of the city’s residential buildings fall into efficiency class E or lower. This is a huge challenge that, in 2024, pushed the city into opening a 100% public One-Stop Shop for home energy renovation.

Please introduce yourself. What is your role in Essen One-Stop Shop?

My name is Simone Raskob, I am Head of Department for Environment, Transport, and Sports for the city of Essen in Germany. In this role, I initiated the decision-making process within the city administration and political bodies, resulting in setting up a One-Stop Shop (OSS) for home energy renovation. I am responsible for the planning and implementation of the OSS.

Can you tell us more about your One-Stop Shop?

‍The planning for OSS started as early as in 2017 with the objective to increase the renovation rate. It was launched in November 2024. The OSS is a non-profit organization, 100% funded by the municipal budget. The municipal sponsorship means that we are not allowed to offer services that compete with commercial providers. Our services end where the economic interests of engineering or architecture firms or the appraisal services of craftsmen begin. For example, we cannot offer services like final building inspections.

It was very important for us to involve in the planning phase all relevant local market actors, such as the guild of craftsmen with its Climate Academy, the Chamber of Trade, Caritas, or the consumer association. Practical experience has shown that the cooperation does not necessarily lead to conflicts. For example, the consumer advice center mostly deals with legal questions, such as issues related to electricity or heating bills. Our OSS does not offer legal advice at all. Or, if we notice that our clients might need planning services, we refer them to the appropriate providers. As a result, we are not perceived as competitors but rather as cooperation partners.

Our financial independence is crucial for building trust in our advisory services, which would not exist if we pursued microeconomic interests. Moreover, rapidly changing regulatory frameworks at both, national and European levels, provoke uncertainty. Our primary task is to restore security and provide guidance to our citizens. Trust is a necessary condition to achieve that.

Our consultations vary in intensity and content: 85% of inquiries concern the technical implementation of renovation measures, for example the advantages and disadvantages of specific building envelope improvements. The second most common topic is financial support. Here, we advise not only on municipal subsidies but also on regional and national funding opportunities. The third most frequent topic involves legal uncertainties – such as existing or upcoming renovation obligations.

With a total of five full-time equivalents, our OSS is exceptionally well-staffed, by German standards. Currently, three engineers and architects handle consultations, supported by one person responsible for public relations and a coordinator focusing on networking and strategic development.

What are your plans for the coming years?

We see the development of the Essen OSS as an ongoing process. We recognize that we still have much to learn, try out, and adapt. This includes developing new consultation formats or further refining the existing ones. For example, we are currently exploring how to use Essen’s citizen outreach vehicle (“Bürgermobil”) to be more present in local neighborhoods.

In the short term, our goal is to secure third-party funding for the research project. In the medium term, we aim to establish and consolidate processes and workflows for our daily advisory work. A particular challenge is the city’s tight budget. We must look for creative solutions. For instance, we had to forgo setting up a centralized consultation office. Instead, we will offer decentralized and service-oriented consultations in neighborhoods by using existing resources like local libraries or citizens’ offices.

Do you have a message for your peers or political decision-makers at national or European level?

‍With a renovation rate below 0.7%, a comparatively low homeownership rate, and investment reluctance in the construction sector, Germany currently does not present an attractive market for OSSs with for-profit business models. It is foreseeable that OSSs implemented by public institutions will likely become the dominant model in Germany.

However, the financial situation of municipalities in Germany is tight and this will be a challenge for the EPBD implementation. We strongly support regional and national networking for OSSs that would facilitate sharing information and mutual learning.

The message from Essen is clear: We do not aim to keep any exclusive knowledge to ourselves. We welcome every exchange and all forms of cooperation. After all, the ability to cooperate is the driving force behind progress and one of humanity’s greatest evolutionary advantages.

Read the full interview here

>> The city of Essen is the twin city of the city of Grenoble in France – Energy Cities’ member.

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The SPARKLE Poreč School created a unique space where theory met practice, bringing together experienced local energy actors to explore how energy communities can accelerate the energy transition and strengthen community resilience across Europe.

Held on 18–19 March in the picturesque Croatian town of Poreč, the first of five SPARKLE Schools welcomed representatives from cities, energy agencies, and organisations across eight EU countries for two days of knowledge sharing, inspiring case studies, and study visits.

From sustainable financial models to citizen engagement

During From Renewables to Resilience: Building Stronger Communities and Cities – Thriving Together, participants explored financing and legal frameworks for energy communities at both EU and local levels, as well as effective approaches to citizen engagement.

The Poreč Sunny Office – the local one-stop shop – also shared its best practices, having already provided free support to nearly 500 citizens over the past three years.

REGEA (North-West Croatia Energy and Climate Agency) presented how energy communities are developing in Croatia, while REScoop.eu, co-organiser of the event, led an engaging World Café workshop on citizen engagement. Energy Cities explored the policy framework.

A particularly inspiring example was presented by Gerard Pol Gili, Head of the Renewable Energy Department of the City and Eurometropolis of Strasbourg, who explained how the French city has successfully supported the development of energy communities over the past ten years.

Over the two days, ideas flowed, new connections were made, and partnerships began to take shape, demonstrating the power of collective action around a shared goal.

“Participation in the SPARKLE School will directly support the development and implementation of new local energy projects, particularly in rooftop solar deployment, energy communities, and building renovation programmes. We expect this to contribute to measurable impacts such as increased renewable energy capacity, energy savings, CO₂ emissions reductions, and the mobilisation of both public and private investment in the coming years.” — Filip Ćurko, Head of Department, Zagreb Energy Center

A community-led tranistion

The Poreč SPARKLE School highlighted that the transition to a sustainable and resilient future depends on empowered local actors. Thanks to this initiative, participants are returning home with new knowledge and practical tools they will share with their communities, helping to scale up energy communities across Europe.

“There are many learnings we will bring back to Codema. Beyond that, having the time to exchange with peers and build connections with others actively working on energy communities will prove invaluable.” — Rebecca Cachia, Executive Manager – Energy Planning, Codema

In Leuven (Belgium), the energy transition is not happening in abstract plans, it is taking shape in real streets, homes, and communities.

Two neighbourhoods, very different in character, are leading the way: the existing Constantin Meunierstraat and the newly developed De Boomgaard. Together, they tell a story of how cities can rethink heating, not just from the individual perspective, but as a shared, collective system.

At the heart of both projects is an alliance: the City of Leuven, local residents and end-users, the citizen energy cooperative ECoOB, and KU Leuven. Each brings a piece of the puzzle—policy, participation, technical expertise, and innovation. Together, they build towards a vibrant Local Energy Community (LEC) that is redefining how energy is produced, shared, and governed.

De Boomgaard: building a neighbourhood around care and energy

In De Boomgaard, on the outskirts of Leuven, the future is being built from the ground up. Two new residential buildings, designed for 36 people with care needs, are rising, with completion expected by 2027. But beyond bricks and mortar, something more ambitious is taking shape: a neighbourhood where care, community, and clean energy are fully intertwined.

Here, energy is designed into the project from the start. Managed by the citizen cooperative ECoOB, a concept is devised that brings together heat pumps, solar panels, and a local heat network into one collective infrastructure.

Instead of each household managing its own energy, residents become part of a shared system. Through an Energy-as-a-Service model, they will benefit from affordable, renewable heat without needing to manage the complexity behind it.

What makes the system particularly innovative is its “intelligence.” A Model Predictive Control (MPC) system continuously analyses weather forecasts and electricity prices to decide when to store or use energy. On sunny days, heat is stored for later. When electricity prices spike, consumption is reduced. The result is a system that quietly optimises itself, improving comfort for residents while keeping costs under control.

And the story may not stop at the site boundary. The LEC is exploring whether surplus heat could be shared with nearby homes, turning De Boomgaard into a small but powerful energy hub for the surrounding neighbourhood.

Constantin Meunierstraat: transforming an existing street

Across town, in the historic C. Meunierstraat, the challenge is very different. Here, the goal is not to build new but to transform the old. As the street is redesigned into a greener, more liveable space, a second transformation is planned underground.

Beneath the surface, a geothermal heating network is being prepared—one of the first of its kind in Belgium. Using borehole thermal energy storage (BTES), heat will be drawn from the ground, upgraded through central heat pumps, and distributed to around 200 households, as well as a school and, potentially, a hospital. For residents, this means something simple but powerful: replacing gas boilers with a cleaner, collective alternative.

But getting there is anything but simple.

Installing such a system in a dense, historic neighbourhood requires careful coordination with other infrastructure works, precise technical design, and constant attention to residents’ comfort. It also requires flexibility—ensuring the system can adapt over time as needs evolve.

In many ways, C. Meunierstraat is a test: can a complex urban environment successfully transition to collective, renewable heating?

More than infrastructure, a new way of working together

What connects these two projects is not just technology, it is governance.

Both rely on a close partnership between the city, the citizens, support experts and the citizen cooperative. Together, they are navigating uncharted territory: how to use public space for energy infrastructure, how to organise long-term operation, and how to ensure fairness in access and pricing.

District heating systems are long-term commitments, often lasting decades. This means decisions made today, about ownership, contracts, and responsibilities, will shape the system for generations.

Making the energy transition a collective and inclusive project

If technology is one challenge, engaging residents is another. Some groups, such as landlords, vulnerable households or underrepresented groups, are harder to reach.

Yet this is precisely what makes these projects meaningful. They are not just about reducing emissions—they are about building systems that are inclusive and fair.

To help municipalities navigate this complex challenge, we have just released a new module about Inclusive and equitable energy communities. Not longer than 2 hours, it is designed to help energy communities embed inclusivity and intersectionality into their energy projects.

What is happening in Leuven is not an isolated experiment—it is part of a wider shift taking place across European cities. Cities are increasingly rethinking how energy systems are designed, governed, and shared. As highlighted in previous examples in Strasbourg (FR), Utrecht (NL) and Dublin-Balbriggan (IE), the transition is moving closer to where people actually live: at the neighbourhood level.

As more municipalities explore ways to decarbonise heating, the question is no longer if collective solutions will emerge, but how they can be implemented effectively and fairly. Leuven offers part of that answer. And together with other pioneering cities, it is helping to build a shared roadmap towards climate-neutral, resilient, and citizen-driven energy systems.

Sure, you don’t want to exclude anyone. But let’s be honest, do you know how to include everyone? Learn about some practical approaches to make your energy project more accessible to people with diverse views, backgrounds and experiences – with our brand new Espresso training module.

The more diverse our community-led energy initiatives are, the richer the perspectives and ideas we bring to the table—leading to stronger, more impactful results.

But here’s the catch: many energy communities are still largely driven by the same small group of well-informed and active residents. Involving a broader range of people—tenants, homeowners, young people, migrants of all gender, race, religion — remains a real challenge. That’s where this new Espresso module on Inclusive and Equitable Energy Communities comes in.

This free, self-paced 2-hours course is designed to help you embed inclusivity and intersectionality into your energy projects. We’ve combined theory with practical approaches to inclusion, so you can start applying these insights right away.

Four lessons and four topics you’ll finally feel confident about

New Features You’ll Love:

• Available in all languages, making it easy for everyone to join.
• Short exercises and self-reflection questions, no long homework required.
• More discussion opportunities and a thriving virtual learning community to connect with others.

And for those of you who missed last year’s Espresso course or couldn’t finish the 5 modules—good news! The course is back, and we’ve made it easier to complete your learning journey. You can catch up at your own pace and dive right in on topics like finances, communication or public assets!

So, are you ready to make your energy projects more inclusive? Join the course today and start transforming your approach!

👉 Enroll now: Inclusive Espresso Course

Let’s build an energy future that works for everyone!

Energy prices are soaring, bills are too… again. 

The President of the European Commission summed up the stakes before the European Parliament: we must urgently produce the energy we need, tax clean energy much less and invest in massive electrification.

The following day, at the Paris Nuclear Energy Summit, she proposed using European bank guarantees to finance the deployment of small reactors in pursuit of these three objectives. A few weeks earlier, she had also announced the creation of a future bank for the decarbonisation of industry, funded by ETS revenues… which she had also promised would help finance part of the future European budget…

Let’s not forget that revenue from emissions trading schemes (ETS) is a significant source of income for public budgets. Whilst industries that rely on fossil fuels in their production processes (chemicals, steel, plastics, etc.) have been clamouring for free allowances[i], the governments that claim to support them are unwilling to forego the revenue generated by this ‘tax’.  Therefore, it will be difficult to maintain the balance in the reform promised by the European Commission. To give an idea of the scale involved, in France this tax is expected to generate 2 billion in revenue by 2026, and almost 5 billion in Poland.

In the same speech, the President also pointed out that prices reflect not only production costs, but also distribution costs – and therefore the costs of the networks. However, many interconnections between countries are lacking, and congestion on the electricity grid is holding back the installation of new data centres and the development of the economy.  In December, the European Commission, in its ‘European Grids Package’, proposed allocating 25% of ‘congestion revenues’ to fund energy interconnections. These measures also aim to facilitate the establishment of new production capacity by reducing the time taken to obtain permits, particularly in relation to environmental regulations. By applying a new first-come, first-served principle for grid access, rather than the existing first-ready, first-served principle, it is likely that the digital giants will be better equipped to connect than smaller projects….

In a nutshell: quick, quick, quick – but the big ones, the really big ones, come first; the small ones can wait.

With this set of decisions, the Commission highlights:

• The inability to consider the idea of a “small-scale Europe” and to see European added value only in “very large-scale” cross-border investments, 
• A preference for ‘very large’ data centres when it comes to access to an electricity supply that could become scarce, 
• Prioritising the rescue of European industry first and foremost, and thus diverting all public resources to prop up the production of ‘carbon-intensive’ goods and, in effect, reducing the funding available for the transition across all sectors 
• The failure to see that Europe’s resilience depends above all on its social cohesion and on ensuring a decent standard of living for all…

This series of decisions, though, poses a threat to Europe, its economy and its job market.

It is society as a whole that must move away from fossil fuels. If we set up a bank to support the decarbonisation of industry, where is the ‘Decarbonisation Fund’ for the rest of society? What will be done for small and medium-sized enterprises, which account for the vast majority of jobs and form the backbone of Europe’s economy? 

Many European countries are objecting to this industrial focus; it is deeply unfair and geographically unequal. It would make more sense to fund decarbonisation based on the economy’s overall dependence on fossil fuels. Setting investment priorities for energy infrastructure based on the needs of a given region would be more cost-effective and would result in a far better allocation of resources.

[i] the right to pollute without incurring additional costs in order to compete with countries where energy is much cheaper

The third edition of Grafting Cities will be hosted by Guimarães on 28, 29 and 30 April under the theme ‘Nurturing the roots’, which aims to highlight that cities need strong bases to defend democracy and develop effective sustainable strategies. The programme includes a debate on local democracy and other moments to connect with leaders and cities’ representatives.

Building strong and stable foundations in cities and regions

At a time when the upcoming EU budget foresees fewer resources to feed our cities’ roots, and when democracy itself faces difficult challenges, it is more crucial than ever to ensure that cities have strong, resilient roots for ambitious energy and climate policies. It means ensuring adequate funding, building local capacity, giving citizens space to express their needs and actively participate in shaping their cities, creating supportive frameworks for sustainable projects, and establishing a virtuous circle of local action.

The theme of the forum, ‘Nurturing the roots’ highlights the importance of the right conditions for cities to grow and succeed, especially strong local democracy. This will be treated on April 29; the day will start with a conversation of our President and the Mayor of Leuven (BE), Mohamed Ridouani with the Vice-Mayor of Cascais (PT), Luís Almeida Capão, who is responsible for the portfolios of Environment, Climate and Citizenship. They will speak about the role of municipalities in rethinking the transition as a path to empower citizens to take the the reins of their own future.  

In the afternoon the debate on ‘Reviving local democracy’ will gather Mohamed Ridouani and Benedek Jávor, Head of Representation of Budapest to the EU. They will focus on the following questions:

• How can cities and communities keep the political space they need to shape their own future?
• How can they provide essential services and ensure a good quality of life for their residents?
• How can democracy remain strong and active during difficult times?

On April 30, we will organize the Mayors’ Club Session a space reserved to elected representatives to discuss shared issues and topics behind closed doors. The theme of this edition will be ‘Local energy transition for strong local democracies’ to analyse how cities and regions can strengthen local democracy while supporting and delivering the energy transition. The discussion will focus on how local elected officials need to overcome concrete obstacles, especially around infrastructure: long permitting procedures, limited grid capacity, difficulties in disconnecting from the gas network, and complex relations with DSOs, while also fostering citizen participation.

Connecting, building partnerships and getting inspired

The programme offers different moments to connect with local elected representatives, EU and city officials and other stakeholders to share experiences and get inspired. The first day, Tuesday April 29, will begin with a networking cocktail where you will discover Energy Cities work and you will meet your partners for the next two days. The second day will be devoted to the six thematic journeys, where you will meet local actors in the morning during the site visits and in the afternoon, you will collaborate with other peers during the thematic workshops. The day will conclude with a convivial moment to share learnings and refresh before the debate on local democracy. In the evening, you can enjoy and relax at the gala dinner.

The third day, on April 30, the Cities’ stories session will be a platform where cities and regions will present their success stories so you can discover the amazing developments that are taking place in Europe and beyond. The session will also include a round of presentations where municipalities can share a challenge they are dealing with, which then will be discussed with all attendees in round tables. It will be followed by a Matchmaking Session, reserved to Energy Cities members, which will start with expert insights from CINEA representative Michele Sansoni and EUI representative Anke Möllers, who will present the latest open calls under the LIFE Programme and the European Urban Initiative (EUI). Following the presentations, the session will split into two groups for an interactive matchmaking round. If you would like to benefit from these exclusive sessions for members, join the network.

Register now and don’t miss the chance to participate in these sessions and forge new partnerships to keep advancing in the green transition!

Registrations close on April 7.