Day 1: Exploring Chemnitz’s Energy and Climate Initiatives

The study visit began with a warm welcome from the Chemnitz municipality, providing a comprehensive overview of the city’s climate strategy. The representatives highlighted Chemnitz’s ambitious objectives, including a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and the achievement of climate neutrality by 2040.

Participants explored innovative projects such as the Brühl District’s low temperature district heating system. This state of the art infrastructure minimizes energy loss, integrates renewable energy sources and ensures sustainable heat supply – a model of urban energy efficiency. Discussions highlighted the importance of local adaptation, with solutions tailored to specific challenges, such as using biomass from biological waste ad leveraging existing urban infrastructure for renewable energy installations.

Another focal point was Chemnitz’s cycling infrastructure. The Stadt Radeln campaign and real time data collection exemplified how integrated transport planning can reduce emissions while promoting active mobility. Participants discussed parallels with their cities and shared ambitions for enhancing sustainable transport.

Interactive Exchange through World Café

A key feature of the first day was the World Café session, an interactive format that facilitated city to city knowledge exchange. Divided into thematic groups, participants discussed energy, mobility, urban greening and waste management, inspired by the R4NZ Guide. They shared their cities’ current practices, future ambitions and knowledge gaps, leading to a rich exchange of ideas. The collaborative nature of the session underscored the importance of partnerships and mutual learning in tackling global challenges.

Day 2: Innovation in Practice

The second day brought the delegation to groundbreaking projects that exemplified Chemnitz’s innovative spirit. A highlight was the Eins battery storage facility, which plays a critical role in stabilizing the power grid and enhancing energy efficiency. With a capacity equal to approximately four million AA batteries, this facility supports the integration of variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

Another visit took participants to the solar houses developed by FASA AG, a pioneer in energy-efficient housing. These homes achieve nearly 100% solar coverage, demonstrating the feasibility of self-sufficient, sustainable living. The group also toured the “Zwergenhaus” day-care, where an innovative biomass heating system illustrates how smaller scale projects can make significant progress in CO₂ reduction.

Collaboration and Inspiration

Throughout the visit, participants actively engaged with presenters, delving into technical details and discussing the adaptability of these projects in their own municipalities. Questions ranged from the sourcing of biomass to the scalability of solar energy solutions and the role of hydrogen in public transport. The open exchange of ideas not only enriched understanding but also laid the groundwork for future collaborations.

Looking Ahead

The Chemnitz study visit was more than an educational tour; it was a platform for building connections, sparking innovation and reaffirming the shared commitment to a sustainable future. As participants returned home, they carried with them insights into pioneering technologies, strategies for community engagement and inspiration to drive the energy transition in their regions.

Through this visit, the consortium reinforced its vision: to create resilient cities that lead the way toward climate neutrality. By integrating cutting edge solutions, fostering partnerships and embracing bold ambitions, these municipalities are eager to contribute meaningfully to a cleaner, greener Europe.

The workshop was opened by Krzysztof Fal, Director of Program Development at WiseEuropa. He spoke about the project and presented the document developed as part of the project: „National Guidelines for Energy Communities in Poland”. Then, the audience members were invited to share their comments and remarks. After once they have been taken into account, the final version of the document will be prepared, which will serve as a guide for local government units that are interested in the establishment of an energy community/cluster.

The next presentation was given by Tomasz Chmiel, who represented the Interdisciplinary Department of Energy Analysis at the National Nuclear Research Centre. His presentation included proposed business models for Local Balancing Authorities (LBAs).

The second part of the workshop consisted of two panel discussions. The first one focused on the regulatory and economic environment for the development of community energy and hosted: Tomasz Chmiel, Marcin Jaczewski (Ministry of Climate and Environment) and Anna Witkowska (Ignacy Lukasiewicz Institute for Energy Policy). Marcin Jaczewski emphasised that although this solution was introduced on a complicated system, it worked, and there were more and more energy cooperatives in Poland. It is difficult to expect a revolution in terms of the planned legal changes, but the system will certainly improve gradually. However, community energy appears in many strategic documents, which shows its great importance.

The second panel, devoted to the experience of clusters and municipalities themselves in establishing such a form of activity, featured Rafał Czaja (Professor Krzysztof Żmijewski Association for Efficiency), Joanna Tokarczuk (Zklaster) and Tomasz Drzał (National Chamber of Energy Clusters).

Summarising both panel discussions, the following issues were raised:

• Net metering is considered as an obstacle to the development of energy communities.
• There have been numerous changes in the law, and those responsible for maintaining energy communities have not kept up with them. 
• There is the need to establish so-called „power gatekeepers“ (a concept that already exists in the legislation).
• Fines for energy communities should be very balanced, as not all communities may have the means to pay them.
• Clusters play also an educational role in changing the awareness of citizens, and bring benefits for local communities.
• There is lack of human resources for energy community maintenance activities – this is especially a problem at the beginning of an entity, when the primary task is to generate at least enough energy to fund the work of those involved.

The upcoming workshops of the COMMENCE project in Poland, as well as in the other partner countries (Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia), are scheduled for late 2024, early months of 2025 respectively.

The aim of the workshop was to enhance mutual learning amongst the partners in the project that have implemented BRPs in Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia, as well as to share those learnings with third countries and parties, such as municipalities.

During the first session, project partners shared first-hand accounts and lessons learnt from their experiences implementing BRPs for deep renovation. Terra Mileniul III, AE3R, Eneffect and B4F, agreed that it is key to be part of a consortium that allows them to collaborate, share knowledge and build capacity. Belonging to Renocally helped them overcome common challenges local authorities often face, such as lack of funding, skills or capacity. They all believe that local authorities can be key players in decarbonising the building stock, but more resources and expertise are needed, as well as long-term goals and planning.

In view of the recently approved EPBD, two sessions were dedicated to this directive. One focused on the EPBD requirements on the medium term for municipalities by Aura Oancea from the Energy Policy Group, and another one on national building renovation plans (NBRPs) by Julien Tami from DG ENER of the European Commission.

Financial and technical assistance for deep renovation is one of the main difficulties local authorities encounter when implementing BRPs. That is why, a one-hour session brought together experts on this topic. Ion Dogeanu from the Regional Resources and Expertise Center on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Heat Pumps presented the finance strategies developed for Romanian municipalities in the project, Karine Jegiazarjana from IWO shared experiences on financial and technical assistance in their RenoWave project on OSS in the Balkan states, and Venera Vlad, Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Romania, talked us through their successful renovation projects in Romania.

In the afternoon sessions, the floor was given to other projects that are working in the same geographical areas as Renocally, and touched upon one-stop-shops (OSS) and their legislation. Denisa Diaconu, from BPIE, outlined the OSS legislation introduced in the revised EPBD, and gave good practice examples from the ComActivate project. Irina Tatu from Energy Cities Network highlighted learnings from their CETAC project, and Jana Bendzalova from ENBEE outlined the pilot BRPs developed within Renocally for Slovakia, as well as some recommendations for the Slovakian context.

The workshop concluded with a one-hour World Café that welcomed all attendees to take part in the discussion around how municipalities can leverage BRPs to achieve deep renovations. The lively workshop highlighted that funding and financing are major barriers to achieve deep renovations. However, it ended on a positive note – projects like Renocally help bring people together, improve communication and networking and give local implementers of renovation projects a deeper understanding of EU legislation and the impact it has on their work. 

The Energy Performance Indicators Guide for Public Procurement: A Practical Tool for Local Administration

Specifically crafted for municipalities and local authorities, the Energy Performance Indicators Guide for Public Procurement seeks to harmonise local and national efforts with broader European Union energy and climate goals. The guide’s principles emphasise the importance of energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions reduction, resource optimisation, environmental impact mitigation, improved air quality, compliance with legislation, feasibility of implementation and a general focus on energy performance rather than prescriptive technologies. By adopting these principles, EUKI project MENERGERS equips municipalities with practical guidance on incorporating energy performance considerations at the planning stage, ultimately ensuring that energy efficiency and sustainability become a priority in local projects.

Key Events Supporting Implementation: Training and Knowledge Exchange

To support the adoption of the guidelines and bolster local expertise, two pivotal events were held within the framework of EUKI project MENERGERS, aimed at engaging municipalities and other key stakeholders.

The first event, held in April 2024, was a Training Session on Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in the Built Environment, which took place in Brașov and was hosted by Energy Cities Romania (OER). Representatives from the pilot cities of EUKI project MENERGERS – Alba Iulia, Sfântu Gheorghe and Zalău- as well as other cities involved in the EUKI-funded Ready4NetZero initiative, attended this session. Training topics included the principles of sustainable building, such as Energy Efficiency First, nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB) standards and national legislation. The session’s practical focus provided local technical staff with actionable insights for both new construction and renovation projects and it covered compliance with updated energy performance calculation methodologies. Trainers shared practical case studies, encouraging participants to engage in interactive discussions that fostered collaborative learning.

The second key event was the launch of a Communication Platform, a dedicated forum for dialogue on energy and climate initiatives. The platform’s primary objective was to establish a multi-level governance structure, enhancing cooperation between national and local authorities, civil society and industry stakeholders. Representatives from the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environment, the Association of Prosumers and Energy Communities, Greenpeace Romania and municipalities involved in EUKI project MENERGERS participated in this launch event. Discussions centered on harmonising Romania’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) with EU recommendations and setting ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption. Local authorities were able to address challenges encountered in policy implementation, with the feedback gathered to inform future national policy developments. Participants expressed support for in-person, roundtable discussions, which facilitated meaningful relationship-building and addressed complex issues more effectively.

Impacts and Future Steps

Through its focus on collaboration and the integration of energy performance indicators, EUKI project MENERGERS in Romania is laying the groundwork for sustainable development. By equipping local administrations with practical tools and fostering open dialogue among key stakeholders, this project helps create an ecosystem supportive of Romania’s ambitious energy and climate objectives.

As Romania advances toward its goals of reducing carbon emissions and optimising resource use, EUKI project MENERGERS exemplifies how structured support and collaboration can drive meaningful and lasting progress.

Online Workshops with Teachers

Early in the project, a series of online workshops were conducted on Zoom, targeting teachers from four schools across Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Designed and facilitated by an educational expert, these sessions covered a wide range of topics, including environmental education, experiential learning, the ecological significance of peatlands, climate change impacts, and the vital role peatlands play in combating climate change. Teachers learned about interactive and playful learning approaches that would allow them to educate future generations on these crucial topics.

In-Nature Workshops with Students

From September 27–29, 2024, workshops titled „Peatlands – Forgotten Heroes of Nature“ took place in Livno and Bosansko Grahovo, and from October 5–6, 2024, at Lake Skadar. These sessions saw participation from 54 students in grades 6 through 9 from „Ivan Goran Kovačić“ and „Fra Lovro Karaula“ elementary schools in Livno, as well as 50 students from grades 5 through 7 from „Sutjeska“ and „Oktoih“ schools in Podgorica. Accompanied by four teachers per location, these students engaged in outdoor, hands-on learning experiences focused on understanding peatlands‘ ecological value.

This approach, known as „schools in nature,“ allowed students to gain new knowledge in a playful, engaging environment. The workshops were designed to go beyond a single generation’s education; they introduced sustainable teaching tools, empowering teachers to incorporate „school in nature“ concepts into their curricula, making lessons on peatlands, climate change, and interactive environmental science a core part of their educational programs.

Community Workshops and Stakeholder Engagement

To further the project’s impact, a series of workshops were held with local communities and stakeholders. In Livno, on October 7, 2024, local authorities, NGOs, and community members gathered to discuss the importance of peatlands in climate change mitigation. Topics included research findings on carbon stock at Livanjsko polje and the potential of carbon credits in voluntary markets. The session sparked productive discussions, highlighting both the degradation challenges and the necessity of declaring Livanjsko polje a protected area.

Similarly, on October 1, 2024, a workshop in Podgorica, organized by Eco-team, gathered local experts, NGOs, private sector representatives, and community members. This event highlighted peatlands’ essential ecosystem services, recent mapping projects, and potential business models for peatland conservation through carbon credit sales. Discussions centered around sustainable approaches that not only protect peatlands but also provide economic opportunities through CO2 sequestration.

Short documentary on peatlands

As part of project activities and with the purpose of spreading information and raising awareness of the importance of peatlands we produced a short documentary film that delves further into the topic. 

With knowledgeable speakers this short documentary raises awareness of the current state of Skadarsko lake and Livanjsko polje peatlands in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

A Call for Collaborative Action from the above mentioned is clear: only through joint efforts can peatlands be effectively preserved and utilized as a powerful tool in fighting climate change. By uniting educators, students, community members, and local stakeholders, the „Increasing the Storage Capacity of Greenhouse Gases in the Peatlands of the Dinaric Karst“ project has planted seeds of environmental stewardship that will grow to benefit both people and planet.

Viladecans Recycling Centre (Barcelona, Spain)

Viladecans Recycling Centre, located near Barcelona, operates under the Catalan Waste Agency and serves a community of 67,800 residents. This centre offers free waste disposal for residents, while companies pay a fee. Waste is sorted into specific fractions and directed toward recycling, with a strong focus on textiles. Approximately 40% of textiles are exported, 45% are recycled, and only 5% end up in landfills.

The centre’s business model emphasizes the prevention and reuse of materials. Employees assess whether items can be repaired or repurposed before they are accepted as waste. Additionally, the centre actively engages the local community through repair workshops and educational events. These initiatives empower citizens to learn new skills and reduce waste through practical, hands-on experience.

Key Lesson: Engaging the public with workshops and repair sessions is a powerful way to educate and reduce waste, while the centre’s business model prioritises waste prevention and reuse before resorting to recycling.

TransfoLab (Barcelona, Spain)

Founded in 2015, TransfoLab is a unique resource centre focused on upcycling—transforming discarded materials into new, higher-value products. The centre operates through a membership model and provides professional tools and workspaces for artisans and hobbyists. Members can rent workbenches and access woodworking tools, with 15 permanent tenants.

TransfoLab also offers educational workshops and collaborates with educational institutions. One of the centre’s most innovative projects involves the use of fly larvae to convert biodegradable kitchen waste into bioplastics and fertilizers. This circular model demonstrates how biological processes can be harnessed for sustainable resource management.

Key Lesson: TransfoLab’s model illustrates the potential of upcycling as a business, while its focus on education and biological innovation shows how resource centres can drive forward-thinking environmental solutions.

Sydhavn Genbrugcenter (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Sydhavn Genbrugcenter, located in Copenhagen, started with a focus on waste reuse and has gradually shifted its mission towards climate impact reduction. The centre is operated by ARC (Amager Resource Center) and serves both residents and companies. Citizens can leave or take items for free, while businesses pay a small fee. The centre’s model is built around facilitating the circular economy by providing a space where items are collected, sorted, and reused.

Sydhavn has experimented with various community involvement programs, such as upcycling workshops, but faces challenges in financial sustainability due to restrictions on selling second-hand items. The centre’s efforts have been successful in reducing waste sent to landfills, though its broader role in promoting circular economy practices is limited by legal frameworks.

Key Lesson: Governmental restrictions on the sale of second-hand goods can impede the financial sustainability of circular economy centres. However, community engagement and upcycling initiatives remain effective in reducing waste and promoting reuse.

Fixoteket (Malmö, Sweden)

Fixoteket was established as part of a larger urban sustainability initiative in Malmö, aiming to provide residents with free access to tools and workshops where they can learn repair skills. It is managed by a housing maintenance company and offers bike repair stations, sewing areas, and carpentry workshops for residents. Materials are donated by the local community and repurposed for other residents to use.

Fixoteket operates as a community-driven resource, hosting regular workshops to teach carpentry, sewing, and bike repairs, while also serving as a freeshop for second-hand clothing and other materials. The centre provides hands-on learning experiences for residents, schools, and even unemployed individuals, empowering them with practical skills in line with circular economy principles.

Key Lesson: Fixoteket highlights the importance of community engagement and education in building a sustainable, circular economy, where individuals are given tools and training to actively participate in waste reduction and resource reuse.

Grönne Gengbrugshal (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Established in 1971, Grönne Gengbrugshal is a cooperative that initially focused on providing construction materials for rebuilding the Christiania community. The centre is run by 8 cooperative members and operates a flexible business model based on covering operational costs and wages, followed by reinvestment in the community. Their approach combines selling reused construction materials, offering professional tools, and organizing community-focused events.

Grönne Gengbrugshal demonstrates a strong connection to the local community and the reuse of construction materials, with a focus on sustainability and community engagement. The cooperative pays all members the same wage, and decisions are made through consensus, highlighting the importance of equality and collaboration in their business model.

Key Lesson: Cooperative management, consensus-based decision-making, and community reinvestment are key to long-term sustainability and success in resource centres like Grönne Gengbrugshal.

Återbruket URC (Gothenburg, Sweden)

Återbruket, part of the Alelycan Recycling Centre in Gothenburg, focuses on collecting construction materials from local recycling centres and businesses. They sort materials such as doors, windows, and white goods, which are sold at reduced prices—typically 30-50% of the new product price. The centre operates as a self-sustaining business with a clear emphasis on reducing waste and creating economic value through reuse.

Återbruket works closely with the construction industry, which donates materials in exchange for reduced waste disposal costs. The centre’s business model ensures financial sustainability, and it has a strong local focus, with most customers coming from nearby areas.

Key Lesson: Establishing strong partnerships with local businesses, particularly in the construction sector, can create a steady stream of reusable materials while reducing overall waste disposal costs.

Conclusion

The URCs visited as part of the CURE+ project showcase diverse business models and approaches to circular economy practices. From community-driven cooperatives like Grönne Gengbrugshal to upcycling-focused workshops like TransfoLab, these centres highlight the importance of reuse, repair, and public engagement in reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Key lessons include the value of educational programs, community partnerships, and flexible management models that allow for innovation in resource reuse.

As cities across Europe continue to adopt circular economy principles, these URCs serve as inspiring examples of how local initiatives can drive meaningful environmental and social impact.

More information about the CURE+ study visits can be found here.

CURE+ project organized three web seminars on Urban Resource Centres (URCs), find out more here.

The study visits took place within the framework of the project “Centres for Urban Resources, Reuse and Remanufacture (CURE+)”. Riga Energy Agency is implementing EUKI project CURE+ in cooperation with the Tartu City Government, Municipality of Kavala, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Elisava Barcelona School of Engineering and Design. The project aims to improve the management of construction and demolition waste generated by households through reuse and repair respecting the principles of the circular economy. 

The third partners‘ meeting took place in Budapest, hosted by the National Society of Conservationists (MTVSZ) and attended by the experts of Slovakian SAPI, the project leader, as well as the Czech Frank Bold, the Polish WiseEuropa and colleagues from Austrian Energy Agency.

On the first day of the two-day meeting, the group met at the MTVSZ office and divided into work packages to discuss where each organisation stands in the implementation process. After the legal research of the V4 countries was completed, the focus was on writing and fine-tuning the National Guidelines based on this material. To this end, each organisation is gathering information and input in two workshops in their respective countries, with a view to finalising and publishing the material early next year.

The first Hungarian workshop took place the day after the partners’ meeting, where the organiser MTVSZ invited national experts and guests, in addition to EUKI project COMMENCE participants, who could provide quality input to the Hungarian guideline. The high standard of the event, which was attended by 60 people, was also indicated by the fact that the Head of the Electricity Department of the Ministry of Energy announced here that the amendment to the Hungarian Electricity Act, which includes the association as an optional legal form for energy communities and the energy efficiency service as an optional activity, has been submitted for public consultation. The two amendments are expected to be approved by MEPs in the autumn session of Parliament. Finally, we thank Angela Holzmann and David Blažek for their presentations which enhanced the professional level of our workshop.

“Vision 2045” – working together for a sustainable future

EUKI Project Visions 2045 emphasises the importance of this transition and promotes a collective commitment of schools in this area through concrete measures: Twelve schools in Bulgaria, Poland, and Slovenia are working together with their local communities to implement measures to save greenhouse gas emissions. To this end, the schools initially developed individual roadmaps to climate neutrality for their own schools in so-called vision workshops. Building on this, they are now looking for support to implement these plans.

If a school wants to become climate-neutral, cooperation is required. One example would be cooperation and support from non-school partners, such as local authorities, for the successful implementation of holistic sustainability measures. Another example would be cooperation with external partners, e.g. to make the school building energy and resource efficient or to provide clean drinking water. However, many schools find it difficult to establish collaborations that are often essential for implementing measures, especially because they often operate in their own ecosystem and address their actions and messages mainly to the school community. In the following, we describe approaches to initiating such collaborations for schools.

Starting in your own community

Even if schools may initially find it difficult to initiate partnerships with external stakeholders, the conditions for that are good. In our experience, external stakeholders are very open to joint initiatives with schools. However, they are not prepared to initiate these and approach schools on their own. Schools must therefore be proactive in the search for such partnerships and, ideally, organise face-to-face meetings in order to facilitate a fruitful relationship. A good place to start can be your own community. Municipalities are a very useful channel for schools to find partners, especially in smaller towns. Invitations for potential partnerships sent by the municipal administration, for example, lead to a higher response rate and more commitment.

Finding local players

When it comes to cooperation with companies, initiatives, and organisations, local players should be found. These usually have strong ties to the location and are thus interested in cooperating with the school. Neighbourhood residents, parents, and representatives of local authorities can also be asked for their expertise and possible support. EUKI project Visions 2045 brought together numerous representatives of local schools, the city administration, and local public companies, including organisations such as public transport companies and energy suppliers. The latter play a central role in ensuring that the schools‘ sustainability efforts are supported with the necessary infrastructure and resources. To facilitate collaboration, schools are usually expected to have an initial plan or idea of what the partnership could look like. What do they want to achieve, and what could the partner possibly contribute? Creating and communicating a school vision on climate neutrality helps to have a basis for discussion and increases the likelihood of getting support. In addition, sharing best practices from other schools, regions, or countries can show them ways forward and give ideas on how to interact with schools. For example, a Polish project school approached a DIY store with the idea of collecting rainwater for the school garden. The newly acquired partner not only sponsored rainwater tanks but also provided volunteers to install them.

Paying attention to mutual benefits

At the same time, schools should ask themselves and research what the potential partner could gain from this. Due to the above-mentioned local ties of local players, they have an interest in corresponding image and PR activities. In some cases, external partners would like to introduce themselves to students in order to recruit future employees. It is advantageous for schools to identify the needs of their desired partners and then endeavour to make an appropriate offer. We also recommend that schools activate parents‘ professional networks as a source of new contacts and possible collaboration. Former students can also be a powerful asset as they are often willing to support the school for idealistic purposes, especially in smaller towns.

A model for broader change

Schools can be effective agents of change, both through educating future generations and through their real efforts to reduce their environmental footprint. As part of EUKI project Visions 2045, each participating school has launched its own pilot actions to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, promote sustainable mobility, and much more. In addition, the initiative creates opportunities for students to engage with local industries and public services. Plans to organise educational visits to waste management facilities, water utilities, and energy providers, for example, help deepen students‘ understanding of sustainability beyond the school grounds. Thanks to these initiatives, the school’s activities gain wider recognition in the city and have the chance to continue working with stakeholders to foster school climate actions. Municipalities can integrate these sustainability efforts into the city’s broader climate neutrality strategy.

With a strong network of local partners, there is a real opportunity to extend the knowledge gained from these schools to the entire region. Our experience shows that a clear goal and plan, combined with an effort to engage partners, brings success and tangible results.

In early 2025, we will publish manuals for schools and municipalities with further insights and recommendations to make a transformation to climate neutrality work, step by step.

The way we manage our cities has a significant impact on community development, as well as the stability of our economy and society, influencing long-term resilience. Cities have the potential and the will to make a difference. Experiencing first-hand the negative impacts of carbon emissions, as well as the benefits of meticulous local planning in energy and climate, cities seek to implement solutions that bring them closer to climate neutrality and a clean environment. All these considerations, as well as the project results in figures from EUKI project MENERGERS, were the topics of discussion opened by Leea Mihailă (OER). In the opening remarks, Maria Minkova (National Trust EcoFund) highlighted the remarkable successes of the project in the involved cities and outlined a clear vision for ambitious future objectives. Bulgaria, represented by Zdravko Georgiev (Sofia Energy Agency), and Germany, represented by Oliver Ritter (Independent Institute for Environmental Issues), provided different perspectives on how this project can become a replicable model for other countries.

During the conference, the impact of EUKI project MENERGERS on pilot cities in Bulgaria and Romania was underscored through concrete examples of energy management measures implemented in cities such as Ruse, Sapareva Banya, Svilengrad, Alba Iulia, Sfântu Gheorghe, and Zalău.

Mr Sorin Elisei (Ministry of Energy) presented Romania’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), emphasising the essence of close cooperation between local and national authorities to ensure the effective implementation of measures within the NECP. According to him, by the end of 2025, there will be a clear picture of the progress Romania has made.

Mariana Țînțărean (OER) analysed the challenges and opportunities for the development of Energy Communities, providing recommendations for improving the legal framework and their operation. Andrei Ceclan (Servelect) continued with a concrete example, illustrating the benefits of Energy Communities in ensuring energy security and protecting vulnerable consumers, referencing the village of Buteni, where over 180 homes are already equipped with solar panels.

Andrei Ceclan expanded the discussion to urban energy management, emphasising that, in the current context of climate change and the energy crisis, cities can no longer view energy efficiency merely as a legal requirement but as an essential necessity for their future. He stressed that energy-efficient solutions not only comply with legislation but also ensure a sustainable future for citizens. Energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources can contribute to reducing costs and increasing the energy resilience of urban communities. Additionally, he presented innovative solutions that can be implemented locally to optimise energy consumption and protect vulnerable consumers.

One of the significant achievements of EUKI project MENERGERS, is the Energy Performance Indicators Guide for Public Procurement, intended for use by local public administration in technical documentation, was presented by Irina Tatu (OER) as a tool designed to support municipal staff in achieving energy efficiency objectives.

Matei Dimitriu (Ministry of Energy) pointed out the importance of municipal energy management, emphasising the necessity of private partnerships to overcome obstacles and streamline processes.

The energy management model developed by Bulgaria within EUKI project MENERGERS is remarkable for having largely operated without adequate legislative support, relying on voluntary commitments and strategic partnerships. Although the lack of formal institutionalisation and the deficit of specialised personnel have been identified as major challenges, Bulgaria compensated by developing a network of experts and creating a robust structure in pilot municipalities such as Ruse, Sapareva Banya, and Svilengrad. The vision and political support of the three mayors played a crucial role in the successful kick-off of the pilot initiative and the chance to test the operations of the model before proposing updates to the Government of Bulgaria’s legislation. The three cities have successfully implemented energy efficiency measures and created new management models that optimise energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As we know, innovation usually comes before the legislation.

One interesting aspect that emerged from the joint dialogue between Romania and Bulgaria is the collaborative approach and the emphasis on sharing best practices, despite legislative and institutional differences.

The event highlighted the crucial role of innovation and cooperation in achieving energy objectives. Solutions such as joint procurement were presented as effective ways to reduce costs and improve resource management in local communities.

The conference demonstrated the commitment of all parties involved to building a sustainable and secure energy future for communities in Bulgaria, Germany, and Romania.

The event started on the 13th of March at Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden). The official opening session was an opportunity for smooth introduction of the EUKI project DUET and networking between all the participants of the event.

After the opening meeting the entire group visited the experimental CUBE building made of carbon concrete. This project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, exemplifies innovative architectural and construction solutions. Berk Gündogdu from the Institute for Concrete Structures of the TU Dresden introduced participants to the university’s research in innovative construction. He also presented the properties of carbon concrete, which is up to four times lighter and stronger than ordinary concrete, and its use would help minimize resource consumption in construction processes and reduce CO2 emissions from the construction sector by up to 50%.

Study Visit to Dresden. © Photo: DUET

In the afternoon, the group visited the Transparent Factory (Die Gläserne Manufaktur) in Dresden, owned by Volkswagen AG, is the first carbon-neutral factory. The facility is equipped with a unique heat regulation system and the largest public charging station for electric vehicles in Dresden. These solutions help save up to 3,600 tonnes of CO2 annually. During the visit, participants also had the opportunity to see a CO2-neutral electric cars production station.

Another point of the event was a visit to a biogas plant located in the Klotzsche district. Sven Wegeleben, Head of the Department of Decentralized Generating Plants, discussed the operation of the facility, which was launched in September 2010. Biogas is produced there by a multi-stage anaerobic digestion process of a mixture of renewable raw materials and cattle manure, at a temperature of about 38-40°C. Operation of the biogas plant allows to save 3,051 tons of CO2 per year.

Study Visit to Dresden. © Photo: DUET

The group started the second day of the study visit with a meeting at City Hall held at the Bürgerlabor Dresden, which is the Dresden Citizen’s Lab. The place provides a transfer space for dialogue between the city administration and citizens. The meeting with representatives of Polish local governments was opened by Eva Jähnigen, Mayor for the Environment, who presented the city’s climate protection activities. Also Bydgoszcz representative gave a presentation on Bydgoszcz’s road to energy self-sufficiency. Next, Michael Anz, SmartCity Manager, introduced participants to the city projects, which aimed to transform Dresden into a leading European smart city and create a more efficient, sustainable and cleaner living space for citizens to meet the challenges of climate change. In the end, Anh-Minh Vu gave a presentation about the NEUTRALPATH project, which aims to develop clean energy districts and co-design efficient and climate-friendly solutions. During each presentation, participants actively asked questions, which were a chance to develop the topics discussed and thus expand their knowledge.

Study Visit to Dresden. © Photo: DUET

The final part of the study visit was a guided city walk through Dresden to learn about the city’s other sustainable activities. The group learned about the numerous initiatives implemented by the city focusing on climate change adaptation, sustainability and mobility, among others.

Study Visit to Dresden. © Photo: DUET

To sum up, the visit to Dresden was a great opportunity to expand networking and learn more about sustainable energy management activities. Dresden’s representatives shared inspiring ideas that provide a solid foundation for the further development of Polish cities towards a more sustainable energy future inspiring by DUET activities.

The aim of EUKI project DUET is to develop energy management systems in cities by developing, testing, and disseminating tools supported by information and communication technologies (ICT). The project will analyse the possibilities for more effective energy monitoring and management and then improve the energy data collection system in the City of Bydgoszcz.