Balkan Solar Roofs
Campaigning and training for the production of community-owned energy in the Balkans
About
Energy Cities staff involved
Ian Turner
Project Management - Facilitation
Jazmín Oña Acuña
Communications
Funding program
European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)
Duration
2021 - 2024
Coordinators
Energy Cities
Partners
City of Poreč - Parenzo, City of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), City of Kragujevac (Serbia), REIC/Regional Education and Information Centre for sustainable developmentWebsite
This ambitious project will empower three city administrations to enable and inspire 500 new solar roof installations by 2024. The three participating cities are Poreč – Parenzo (Croatia), Mostar (BiH) and Kragujevac (Serbia). Other project partners include Energy Cities and REIC/Regional Education and Information Centre for sustainable development in South East Europe based in Sarajevo. ZEZ Green Energy Cooperative based in Zagreb, Croatia, has been contracted to support the team with its expertise on specific activities.
Objective
Although promising seeds have been planted in the Western Balkans, there still is a widespread and deeply rooted belief that communities and citizens are only final energy consumers without any proactive attitude. This has led to low interest in community energy both from city decision-makers and citizens. Most of the current successes happened in small cities. It is now time to involve larger cities, signatories of the Covenant of Mayors, as showcase examples that contribute to the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality target whilst ensuring that communities are at the heart of this approach.
Activities
The Balkan Solar Roof project team will conduct a range of engagement activities to ensure political support and a multi-disciplinary approach:
- The cities will learn about the different forms and benefits of urban solar community energy.
- City delegates will map relevant local stakeholders.
- City delegates will also develop a local community energy roadmap to support citizens and SMEs.
The project team and the cities will roll out a campaign mobilising citizens and SMEs for the production of community-owned energy in the Balkans. This will include activities such as engagement posters, a contest and wide outreach in social and other media starting at city level. Experiences will be shared beyond pilot city borders: the team will engage follower cities and reach out to policy makers to make sure national frameworks are supportive of citizen energy.
