“Exchange of experience among the representatives of the V4 Member States as well as with Austrian partners has brought an unique added value to the project and provided our energy communities with the good practices which we hope they will be able, with our support, to implement to their day-to-day operations,” Boris Valach from SAPI and Krzysztof Fal from WiseEuropa agreed.

A Glimpse into the Current Situation

The tour began with the official opening of Christian Furtwängler, Head of Center Economy, Consumers & Prices at Austrian Energy Agency, followed by a short introduction of the EUKI funding instrument, with the first block concluded by the presentation of the COMMENCE project led by Boris Valach, a Project Manager from SAPI – Slovak Association of Sustainable Energy. Then, country-specific presentations followed, where participants shared the status of energy communities in their respective countries. These presentations focused on the legal frameworks and challenges in establishing such initiatives in Slovakia, Czechia, Poland, and Hungary. The following experience sharing presentations of the Austrian initiatives aimed at aiding the local communities in taking advantage from the share renewable resources such as Urban Innovation Vienna or Robin Powerhood.

A Visit to an Innovative Energy Provider

In the afternoon, the group visited the innovative energy provider Beyond Carbon, which supplies an entire district with emission-free heating and cooling through creative energy solutions. After the presentation, vital discussion took place where the participants had the unique opportunity to ask questions to the founder of the company as well as to share their experience in terms of H&C supplies.

Practical Examples from the Region

On the second day, participants visited two inspiring energy communities of the Elsbeere Wienerwald and Göttweigblick Energy Community, where they had an unique opportunity to discover the operational models and to discuss the opportunities & challenges being faced by these communities at the beginning as well as during their development.

Building brighter future for the energy communities in the V4

The study visit helps representative of the V4 countries to better understand the opportunities, options for development of energy communities in these countries. This experience has supplemented the knowledge-sharing experience brought by the COMMENCE project though the national guidelines for energy community founders and a series of national workshops dedicated to the local communities, energy sector and other stakeholders.

Now, the COMMENCE team is entering the phase of its outreach actions aimed at sharing the findings of project across the national decision-makers and through these actions, to ensure better understanding of the role of energy communities in energy transition in the CEE region.

The consortium identified several challenges facing the implementation of ETS2 and SCF, as described below.

1. The greatest challenge is misinformation and disinformation. The implementation of ETS2 and SCF is closely related to households’ daily lives, making them socially sensitive and prone to be used by populists, far-right forces, certain business groups, and even some governments to undermine the EU’s climate policies. 

2. Several governments (e.g. Bulgaria, Czechia, and Poland as well as Estonia, France, and Hungary) have already attempted to delay or water down the implementation of ETS2.

3. Climate action in general is under severe attack by populists and the far-right as well as some vested interests, which might have an influence on the fate of ETS2 implementation.

4. Energy poverty is substantial in CEE. This problem must be tackled in parallel with (or, even better, before) the implementation of ETS2. Direct income payments to citizens are a quick and efficient method for solving this problem. However, the lack of political will might be a huge obstacle to its implementation. SCF should be an example and encouragement for EU countries to implement such programs themselves on a regular basis to tackle energy poverty meaningfully.

5. Currently, fossil fuels receive enormous subsidies in CEE, which are mostly absorbed by the rich at the expense of the poor. It must be ensured that the SCF substantially contributes to reducing this injustice. 

6. Poorly designed subsidies from ETS2 revenues can also be both environmentally damaging and highly regressive (for example, subsidies to large luxury electric cars). 

7. Some countries might introduce new subsidies or increase existing subsidies on energy consumption, which neutralise the emission reduction effect of ETS2. For example, some countries may reduce energy excise duties for all in order to compensate for higher carbon prices. Due to the highly regressive nature of carbon-energy taxation in CEE, this not only counteracts climate change mitigation objectives but also enhances income inequalities. 

8. The transition to climate-friendly buildings and transport requires huge resources (e.g., for improving the energy efficiency of buildings, providing better public transport, and supporting vulnerable households). The financing needs go far beyond the volume of the SCF, and it is yet to be seen how the necessary financing will be provided. Removing environmentally harmful subsidies could help solve this problem, but again, political will is lacking. Moreover, it is still unclear whether Member States are willing to use the additional revenues from ETS2 that do not go to the SCF for this purpose in an efficient way.  

9. As carbon prices are determined through demand and supply, they can be expected to exhibit significant volatility, with forecasts ranging from €48 to €340 per tCO2 by 2030. This will make it difficult to adjust to for all stakeholders (governments, businesses, citizens). Whereas the volume of financing for the national Social Climate Plans (SCPs) is set, it is the additional ETS2 revenue that will depend on the actual carbon prices. In fact, ETS2 revenues may be multiple times higher than the annual allocations of SCPs.

10. A substantial part of the national SCFs might be hijacked by influential business groups. This could be best avoided by providing direct payments to citizens; however, the EU rules permit only temporary direct income support, moreover, they must not exceed 37,5 % of the total SCF national expenditure. Therefore, national funding must be ensured for direct payments; revenues from the ETS2, which are not used for the SCF, might serve this purpose.

11. There is a risk of traders hiding taxes and selling more without invoices. There are already expectations that the hidden economy will increase due to ETS2.

12. Increasing the price of heating with fossil fuels (gas, electricity, district heating) could lead to more frequent burning of biomass, with a catastrophic effect on rural ecosystems whose carbon absorption capacity will be reduced if the biomass exploited is not replaced (there is a high risk that it will not be). The residential burning of waste is also a danger, causing more climate-damaging emissions and air pollutants than in the case of burning fossil fuels. (Although residential waste burning is illegal, it is widely practiced in CEE.)

13. There is a lack of awareness about the possibilities to reduce heating and cooling costs quickly and cheaply, at least to a certain extent. In CEE, the overwhelming majority of the buildings are characterised by very low energy efficiency, and therefore, it is impossible to renovate even a fraction of them within a short period of time, while the effect of ETS2 on energy prices will be immediate. Therefore, awareness should be raised about quick and cheap methods to reduce energy consumption, with cheap and quick methods, even if they cannot provide a full solution.

14. There is a serious lack of skilled labour force to renovate buildings. Strong new housing construction demand in some countries attracts skilled labour force. Moreover, in some countries, the government subsidises many investments which are much less important than the renovation of buildings, and this also drains away skilled labour force.

15. Due to the increase in petrol and diesel prices, the number of vehicles filling their tanks outside of the EU where fuel is cheaper might increase. Although this is already occurring and therefore, the effect of ETS2 might be limited, the problem of vehicles with fuel filled outside the EU and entering the EU must be tackled to reduce environmental pollution and budgetary losses.

16. The increase in transport fuel prices might hit people in rural areas harder than in cities. In these regions, it has been difficult to organise effective public transport. New solutions such as public transport on demand can help to lower the – increasingly costly – fossil fuel dependency of people living in rural areas. 

17. Although the SCF Regulation prescribes that the principle of additionality must be respected in the use of the SCF (i.e., SCF funding must not be used to substitute national funding), there is no proper methodology to identify a violation of the additionality principle.

18. Proper public participation is so far lacking in several EU member states, which might lead to less efficient implementation of ETS2 and SCF. The very mixed experience from public participation in the drafting and updating of the National Energy and Climate Plans seems to repeat or even worsen in the case of Social Climate Plans in several member states. 


All of the above challenges can be overcome with appropriate planning and political will. This is not only possible but an absolute necessity. Namely, by far the biggest challenge is climate change and the loss of biodiversity, all of which are due mainly to the fact that prices do not reflect the costs, especially the environmental costs. 
The consortium of the EUKI project ClimateFair Monitor aims to recommend solutions to the above challenges.


The author expresses thanks to members of the CAN Europe Social Climate Fund Working Group who contributed to this article with valuable comments.

Can schools become drivers of climate neutrality and inspire entire cities in the process? The daily operation of schools causes considerable greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to the high consumption of resources, e.g. through the heating of buildings and the generation of large quantities of waste. One of the main factors for successful savings is the promotion of cooperation between local authorities and schools. In order to achieve concrete measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change in the municipality, it is important that both the school and the municipality pull together. Due to their large numbers, schools are one of the main sources of GHG emissions in municipalities, but they themselves have little power to simply implement structural measures, for example.

At the same time, schools have enormous potential as actors to drive forward the transformation to climate neutrality in their own municipality. After all, schools are places, where future generations learn. They are therefore a good basis for creating and implementing visions for a fair and livable future for all. The project Visions2045 – Schools as Drivers for Climate Neutrality in Cities addresses exactly that and has now published practical manuals that enable both schools and local authorities to actively tackle the change.

Added value for the city: Why should public buildings become climate neutral?

Climate neutrality describes a state of equilibrium between the greenhouse gases emitted and those absorbed by the atmosphere. In order to achieve this goal, we need to carefully analyze emissions in various areas of society – with the clear aim of avoiding and reducing them as much as possible. This has the following advantages for cities:

• Strengthening civil society: Cooperation and collaboration between different interest groups promotes mutual understanding and respect.
• Strengthening the economy: Cooperation with local companies that are on the path to climate neutrality strengthens the economy in the region.
• Reducing costs: Energy savings and the use of renewable energies lead to considerable cost savings in the long-term. In addition, the consequential costs of the climate crisis are considerable and can be reduced through timely climate protection.
• Promoting energy independence: The expansion of decentralized energy supply leads to independence from fossil fuel imports and makes the EU more resilient.
• Being a role model: Taking on a pioneering role as a modern and sustainable city that sets a positive example for its citizens and other cities.
• Limit damage: Man-made climate change has already caused major economic and social damage in recent years. This damage can be limited through climate protection.
• Slow down climate change: The use of fossil fuels in particular is exacerbating climate change. Climate-neutral lifestyles and economic practices help to slow down the progression of climate change.

Schools as one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in municipalities

In order to better understand the role of schools in the transformation towards climate neutrality, it is worth taking a look at the greenhouse gas footprint of schools, which was determined as part of the Visions2045 project, which is presented in more detail in the following section. Figure 1 shows the GHG footprint of a fictitious example school in Berlin in the calendar year 2022. The data collected in the project was evaluated using the “Schools for Earth” CO₂ calculator from the ifeu Institute and Greenpeace e.V. It can be seen what proportion the recorded fields of action account for and how many tons of CO₂ equivalents are released into the atmosphere for each calendar year.

This example school has emitted about 694 tons of CO₂ equivalent in one year, a number that is difficult to visualize. To better understand this amount, let’s take a look at figures 2 and 3. The cube in Figure 2 represents one ton of CO₂ and measures 8x8x8 meters. For size comparison, a human, an elephant and a container can be seen next to it. Applied to our example school, this means that around 694 of these cubes are emitted into the atmosphere in one year. This would correspond to a volume of around 2.5 average container ships, as shown in Figure 3. If we now consider the number of schools in cities, the scale of emissions and their impact on our environment and society becomes more tangible.

Vision2045 develops manuals for the transformation to climate-neutral schools

In the Visions2045 project, 12 school communities in Bulgaria, Poland and Slovenia developed their own action plans to gradually move closer to climate-neutral schools. The plans contain numerous options and actions that can be implemented in collaboration with the respective municipality and other stakeholders in order to get a little closer to the goal. The measures take a holistic approach. This means that students, teachers, school management, parents, administration and local organizations are all involved.

The project is based on the Berlin pilot project KlimaVisionen – Ways to climate-neutral schools, in which the school community develops and implements roadmaps for climate-neutral schools by creating greenhouse gas footprints and conducting vision workshops. In cooperation with partners from the respective federal states and with funding from the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, this project is thus making an important contribution to shaping a just and livable future for everyone.

The measures aimed at by the schools for climate protection and adaptation to climate change are primarily intended to avoid and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Various pilot projects have been implemented in different fields of action, such as energy consumption and nutrition. The key results and experiences of this process have been clearly presented in practice-oriented manuals. They offer schools and local authorities concrete approaches and tools for the transition to climate neutrality.

This project shows that schools are not just places of learning, but also important players in municipal climate protection. As major energy consumers with correspondingly high CO₂ emissions, they have enormous potential to save energy and act as role models.

Now available for Download: Manuals for schools and local authorities that contain concrete, practical recommendations for action – from the initial vision to the implementation of targeted measures. The materials are available free of charge in German, English, Bulgarian, Polish and Slovenian.

Why?

Because Maribor was the first Slovenian city and the Podravje region the first Slovenian region to prepare Green Transition strategy documents, and this year Tuzla will become the first city in Bosnia and Herzegovina to have such a strategy document, which will be further developed for the whole canton.

A delegation from Tuzla on a study visit to Maribor; photo by Borut Jurišić ©RRA Podravje – Maribor

How?

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is funding the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) programme, in the framework of which the RRA Podravje – Maribor, the City of Tuzla and BIT Centar Tuzla are implementing the SAGT (Strategic Approach to Green Transition) project. Within the project, RRA Podravje – Maribor is strengthening the capacity of the City of Tuzla and their technology park BIT Centar to prepare for the green transition and to start implementing measures that will help Tuzla. In this process the examples and experience gathered in Maribor are very beneficial for them. Thus, on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 April, the delegation from Tuzla learned practical examples of how to improve air quality, approach traffic management and, above all, involve stakeholders in the process of adopting strategic documents.

Presentation of the e-vehicle Maister; photo by Borut Jurišić ©RRA Podravje – Maribor

“There are many similarities between Maribor and Tuzla! We are happy to learn from your examples, as it makes us much more efficient,” said Esmir Spahić, Head of the Development Planning and Development Management Department of the City of Tuzla.

The two cities are comparable in terms of size, population, impact and importance in the domestic environment… they are also both university centres with an industrial tradition, located in a natural green environment of forests and sharing almost a century of history in different common countries (Austria-Hungary, Kingdom of SHS and SFR Yugoslavia).

“I see that Maribor is changing a lot, because I used to come here when I was a child and I learnt how to ski on mount Pohorje. Since then, the city has undergone a major transformation and it has been very enlightening to learn about the processes behind these changes,” said Vedrana Ajanović, Senior Advisor at the BIT Centar Technology Park in Tuzla.

What?

For the delegation we presented initiatives to improve air quality, to create city zones without motorised traffic, incentives for more efficient energy use, electrification of urban passenger transport,… and the most fun part – a practical demonstration of how the Mbajk system works, which has been record-breakingly well received in Maribor.

“Living in Maribor and being part of these changes myself, I don’t notice them very often. It is only on occasions like this that I realise what Maribor really has to offer and what others can learn from us. Above all, I would like to thank all those who contributed to the study visit with their expertise, knowledge, experience and willingness to cooperate and share their knowledge and experience,” said Borut Jurišić, SAGT Project Manager at RRA Podravje – Maribor.

However, as there are some differences between the two cities, we presented an even broader dimension and first presented the situation in the Šaleška valley (as Tuzla also has a thermal power plant and a mine that are in the transformation phase), then we presented the strategic aspect of the initiatives to change the air quality, the creation of pedestrian zones (Cafova, Koroška, Lent) and the public bicycle rental system Mbajk. We also presented the beginnings of air quality measurement and measures to improve air quality, as well as funding opportunities through Ekosklad.

Guests also had a hands-on experience of the Mbajk system, learned about the operation of the Maister e-vehicle, tried out the Line 6 electric bus and saw the bus electric charging station.

Testing the Mbajk system; photo by Borut Jurišić ©RRA Podravje – Maribor

What’s next?

The SAGT project will end in November this year and until then RRA Podravje – Maribor will continue to support the partners from Tuzla in the adoption of a Green Transition Strategy, which will later be upgraded from the city strategy to the Tuzla Canton Strategy, as it happened here when the city strategy was upgraded to a regional strategy for Podravje.

“RRA Podravje – Maribor has gained invaluable experience in its more than 30 years of history, which it has enhanced with its own knowledge and practical examples and shared with other stakeholders. It is our knowledge and experience in the field of bioeconomy and green transition that we are most proud of,” said Nataša Ritonija, Director of RRA Podravje – Maribor, who is also the head of the Bioeconomy Working Group of the Assembly of European Regions (AER).

“We are looking forward to the announced meeting of the two mayors in the hope of more cooperation,” said Esmir Spahić, Head of the Development Planning and Development Management Department of the City of Tuzla, as he left.

The project consortium includes the National Trust Ecofund (NTEF) and Sofia Energy Agency (SOFENA) from Bulgaria, the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU) from Germany and Energy Cities Romania (OER).
The event discussed the progress of the six selected municipalities: Ruse, Sapareva Banya and Svilengrad from Bulgaria, Alba Iulia, Sfântu Gheorghe and Zalău from Romania.

From Theory to Practice in Local Energy Management

One of the most important outcomes of the project was the development of a practical model for the Municipal Energy Manager service. This model, presented by the Bulgarian partners in a comprehensive conference panel, includes self-assessment, internal communication analysis and direct testing of the model in municipalities. In Romania, the Ministry of Energy’s experience in certifying Energy Managers was a valuable source of inspiration for Bulgaria, highlighting the importance of continuous training and clear competency standards.

The MENERGERS Final Conference also included a panel dedicated to Romanian cities, where discussions focused on the Energy Performance Indicators Guide, a useful practical tool developed under the project, based on the Romanian cities’ needs assessment. Panel participants analysed how to implement the MENERGERS Guide in practice and its impact on local decision-making processes, with concrete direct contribution to Energy and Climate objectives.

Partners from Germany, Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU), also contributed with valuable insights, emphasising the importance of cost-benefit analysis for the long-term sustainability and functioning of energy management services at the municipal level.

Lessons Learnt and Recommendations

The event highlighted several key lessons: continuous training is essential not only for Municipal Energy Managers but also for local leadership teams; the role of the Municipal Energy Manager involves a wide range of responsibilities, justifying the need for a permanent position and clear regulations necessary to ensure the stability of this role. For smaller municipalities, outsourcing or sharing the service can be an effective solution. The need for effective communication between all administrative levels was also emphasised for the successful implementation of energy efficiency measures.

Conclusion

The final conference of the MENERGERS project marked an important moment of reflection and learning while also serving as a starting point for new initiatives in local energy transition. The project demonstrated that, through international collaboration, partnerships and the active involvement of municipalities, sustainable energy management models can be built, tailored to the real needs of communities. But the most important takeaway might be the shared goal of all project partners to continue efforts in supporting the activity of Municipal Energy Managers, leading the way to Climate Neutrality at the local level, even beyond the MENERGERS project lifespan.

”As the coordinator of the project, the National Trust EcoFund (NTEF) is very grateful to have had the opportunity to bring the MENERGERS project to life and for the excellent work and collaboration between the partners. The project provided a very important and needed exchange of experience between energy management experts from Bulgaria and Romania, which, together with the project outputs, provides a strong ground to build on for the topic of municipal energy management in our future work.”

Kamelia Georgieva – Senior Expert

Establishing the Baseline: Understanding CDW Practices
A fundamental step in the project was conducting a comprehensive assessment of CDW management in each of the four participating municipalities. This resulted in the production of Baseline Reports, mapping out the current practices, identifying challenges, and highlighting opportunities for circularity in CDW flows. These reports served as the foundation for targeted interventions, enabling partners to develop tailored solutions that best fit the local contexts.

Learning from Best Practices: Study Visits and Webinars
To build on existing expertise, project partners embarked on study visits to some of Europe’s most advanced urban resource centres. These visits provided first-hand insights into how different cities successfully manage and repurpose CDW. Learning from these best practices, the project organised three stakeholder webinars, offering a platform for knowledge exchange and discussions on circular construction approaches. Additionally, findings from these visits and discussions contributed to a scientific article, further advancing research and policy dialogue in the field.

Piloting Urban Resource Centres: Transforming Theory into Practice
One of the most significant achievements of CURE+ has been the creation of pilot URCs in each of the four partner cities. These pilots demonstrate how CDW can be managed effectively through local reuse and upcycling solutions. The journey of establishing these centres has been meticulously documented in case study reports for each municipality, showcasing the development process, operational models, and lessons learned. Each pilot URC addresses unique urban challenges while promoting circularity in the construction sector:

• Riga: Sadarbnīca URC focuses on community-driven wooden resource reuse and educational initiatives. (see Riga Case Study Report)
• Kavala: Being a pioneering initiative in the region, the Kavala URC integrates CDW upcycling into local construction and renovation projects, offering citizens the opportunity to adopt practices of reuse and waste reduction. (see Kavala Case Study Report)
• Tartu: A hands-on approach to material repurposing by creating material storage hall. (see Tartu Case Study Report)
• Barcelona: Creating the Elisava Material Depot to improve material management within Elisava, Faculty of Design and Engineering of Barcelona, by providing a solution for on-site reuse. (see Barcelona Case Study Report)
  

Shaping Policy for a Circular Future
The project’s final conference, held on March 18, 2025, in Kavala, Greece, was a milestone event. Bringing policymakers, experts, and stakeholders, the online conference introduced to a wider audience the policy recommendations developed throughout the project (see Policy Recommendations, Part A and Part B). These recommendations provide actionable insights for national and regional governments to integrate circular economy principles into CDW management. By tailoring strategies to specific municipal contexts, the project has laid the groundwork for long-term sustainability in the built environment.

Find the summary presentation of the project final conference here.
You can watch recording of the conference here.

Towards a Resource-Efficient Society
The outcomes of the CURE+ project go beyond theoretical research and pilot initiatives. They equip cities with the knowledge and tools to apply circular economy practices adapted to their specific needs, fostering a more sustainable and resource-efficient society. By demonstrating real-life applications of circular construction principles, CURE+ has not only contributed to reducing waste but has also set a precedent for future initiatives striving to close material loops in urban environments. As we look forward, the insights and methodologies developed in the CURE+ project will continue to serve as a valuable reference for cities and communities embracing circularity in construction.

Riga Energy Agency is implementing the 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.

At the beginning of the event, SAPI presented the Handbook for Energy Community Founders, which has been missing in Slovakia until now. As a part of the COMMENCE project, the SAPI team, together with its professional partners consisting of an energy law firm, energy consultancy, energy community cluster and SIEA, prepared a comprehensive material covering all aspects of setting up an energy community in the country. The guideline is based on national legislation and provides the assurance to interested parties that their actions are in line with the legal framework.

Successful examples from practice as a source of inspiration
During the panel discussion, workshop participants had the opportunity to listen to the Mayor of the municipality of Modrovka, Vladimír Balaj, who shared his hands-on experience of setting up and managing an energy community. The community owns a solar PV system on the roof of a kindergarten. During the peak production period in the summer, the kindergarten is closed, so the community was looking for ways to use this energy directly in the village. It has set up an energy community and uses electricity from the PV for public lighting and the local water company. As well as highlighting the positive aspects of community energy, the mayor also suggested possible solutions to speed up its development. The state, he said, needs to play a bigger role and provide more support for community energy. The possibility of using EU funds could also help.

Energy communities will grow, but financial returns must improve
The participants in the discussion highlighted a number of current challenges in the establishment of energy communities. A major problem in Slovakia is the current decree of the energy regulator RONI, which states that all members of the energy community should have one supplier. This makes it difficult for new members to join existing communities. Insufficient financial support from the state is also an obstacle to development. Financial support is particularly important in a system with regulated electricity prices and distribution charges, which have a negative impact on the profitability of such projects.

Summing up most important aspects of the new energy legislation in Slovakia, 2025 © Boris Valach

Slovakia awaits new legislation
From 1 January 2026, legislative changes are expected to come into force that will have a positive impact on the operation of energy communities in Slovakia. “For example, the new legislation will bring an expanded definition of an active consumer, who becomes one not only by operating his own production or storage of electricity, but also by consuming shared electricity. The changes also include the introduction of a sharing organiser, which will provide services related to the management and operation of electricity generation and storage facilities, but also the actual management of electricity sharing, including internal billing. The consultation and advice that this new entity will provide will be of great help to municipal representatives,” explains Libor Láznička, member of the SAPI Executive Committee.

Energy communities are an important step towards more sustainable and secure energy mix and more self-sufficient communities. Their development in Slovakia depends not only on legislative changes, but also on the active support and cooperation of the state, professional organisations, municipalities and enthusiasts in this newly discovered element of the energy sector in Slovakia.

Handbook for Energy Community Founders (in Slovakia), 2025 © Lucia Smatana Palmanová

At the workshop, as mentioned above, SAPI also presented a new publication, Handbook for Energy Community Founders, which is freely available for download, but only in Slovak, as it focuses primarily on the Slovak context.

Accelerating the deployment of wind farms across Europe is necessary to deliver the Green Deal and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The transition to climate neutrality requires a shift in its economic model, a focus on renewable energy sources and the phase out fossil fuels. In this context, wind energy offers, perhaps, the highest potential for scaling up the renewable energy production as it can be readily exploited throughout the EU. However, the deployment rate of new wind farms in EU and Wind4Bio countries is currently much slower than the one foreseen in the EU and national strategies. 

In this context, Wind4Bio Project targeted at establishing a balanced approach that supports both renewable energy growth and biodiversity preservation by addressing biodiversity concerns throughout the lifecycle of wind farms and involving civil society in identifying and mitigating biodiversity threats.

Throughout its 2,5 years of implementation, Wind4Bio project developed two sets of best practices: 

• 14 best practices for increasing biodiversity protection at all stages of wind farms’ lifecycle, and 
• 9 best practices for improving collaboration between public authorities and civil society on environmental protection

Both sets of the best practices were presented in two series of national workshops held in Greece, Latvia and Poland (see full reports here and here). Over 120 stakeholders/participants attended the workshops, including representatives from ministries, regional and municipal authorities, wind energy associations, nature protection agencies, higher education institutions, NGOs, and civil society. Themes and discussions during the workshops tackled a wide range of issues, including:

• Better implementation of current technologies to mitigate the biodiversity risks.
• Integration of community involvement in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
• Use of the biodiversity risk management framework to detect, assess, and reduce risks to biodiversity.
• Proper evaluation of the cumulative environmental impacts of wind farms in the EIAs. 
• Establishment of wind energy communities.
• Policy improvements for the enhancement of public engagement.
• Improvements in public participation procedures.
• Alleviate barriers for inclusive and sustainable speed-up of wind farm development.

One of the main recommendations mentioned in all national workshops was that public involvement should be extended beyond the EIAs to include all stages of the wind energy project lifecycle. In this way, public authorities can ensure that community concerns are continuously addressed, fostering a sense of ownership and long-term support for local wind energy projects. An efficient way to establish points of contact between civil society, public authorities and the business sector, is through online consultation mechanisms and forums. 

Following this recommendation, the Wind4Bio project developed a consultation mechanism, namely an online platform, that facilitates communication between environmental and civil society organisations regarding biodiversity threats in areas with wind farms. As a result, the consultation mechanism is expected to increase transparency and curb local opposition to wind energy projects by making the civil society an integral part of wind energy planning and biodiversity preservation. This mechanism was presented through national infodays and consensus building events to 71 participants, and was evaluated by the partners and stakeholders over a 4-months period. As a result, six (6) public authorities supported the use of the consultation mechanism as a transformative process to improve climate change through wind energy. In addition, the online mechanism will be pilot tested by the Region of Western Greece (Greece) and Zemgale Planning Region (Latvia), in the framework of the Interreg Europe project BIOWIND.

The third series of national workshops took place during the last trimester of the project, and targeted mainly to business representatives. Their goal was to discuss the wind farm businesses’ approach and awareness regarding the importance of biodiversity throughout the lifecycle of wind power projects. Additionally, the Wind4Bio Code of Conduct was presented as a contribution to promoting a more responsible approach by businesses in relation to biodiversity. 44 participants in total, including 16 representatives from wind energy sector attended the workshops, concluding that it is crucial to establish a dialogue between environmental organisations, wind energy companies and the public to improve perceptions of wind energy. Following the workshops, 4 companies supported the main principles detailed in the Code of Conduct (i.e. environmental responsibility, sustainability, transparency, and continuous improvement) to adopt ecosystem and biodiversity protection measures, and agreed to put efforts to apply them to their day-to-day business strategies.

Our main outcomes in numbers:

• 1 study visit attended by 9 project members and 12 stakeholders
• 3 series of national workshops attended by 165 stakeholders in total
• 1 series of infodays attended by 71 stakeholders
• 2 good practice reports including 23 good practices
• 1 biodiversity risk management framework
• 1 online consultation mechanism supported by 4 public authorities and pilot tested by 2 regions
• 1 Code of Conduct supported by 4 wind energy sector companies 

It has been a long and difficult road, but we believe that Wind4Bio project has succeeded in bridging the gap between wind energy expansion and biodiversity preservation. With pilot testing of the consultation mechanism already underway and industry stakeholders getting informed on identified best practices, we hope that our project has laid a strong foundation for long-term impact by contributing to carbon neutrality by 2050.

TIRANA, ALBANIA – On January 30-31, 2025, consortium members of EUKI project Climate Bridges – Network in Action gathered in Tirana for a two-day strategic meeting to launch the next phase of the initiative. The meeting brought together environmental organisations from across the Western Balkans to plan and coordinate efforts aimed at strengthening transnational climate action and enhancing governance models in the region. This collaboration will help align local priorities with broader climate goals and support the implementation of more effective regional climate policies.

The Climate Bridges Network brings together environmental organisations from across the region, including the leading organisation Urban Research Institute (Albania), CIPRA International (Austria), CENER 21 (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Association Green Istria (Croatia), and the Center for Climate Change (North Macedonia). These organisations share expertise in climate governance, energy solutions, environmental advocacy, and policy implementation.

Driving Regional Climate Action

This strategic gathering is a significant step forward in addressing the climate challenges faced by the Western Balkans. Despite progress in developing national climate strategies, countries in the region still face substantial hurdles in terms of policy implementation and coordination. By establishing a unified framework for action, the Climate Bridges initiative aims to bridge these gaps and drive effective climate policies across borders.

The project will focus on enhancing climate action through the following key activities:

• Nine campaigns will address critical issues like climate-neutral mobility and the just transition, raising awareness and encouraging community engagement.
• Two municipalities – one in Albania and one in North Macedonia will develop Green Agendas to ensure inclusive, sustainable transitions.
• Four national exchange events and two transnational forums will facilitate collaboration between civil society, governments, and other stakeholders.
• The creation of a shared resource to compile best practices for climate mitigation across the region.
• The development of a manifesto for transnational climate governance in the Western Balkans.
• A competition for best climate policy implementation, with an award ceremony recognising the most effective solutions.
  

A Stronger, Unified Network

The Climate Bridges project builds on the success of its earlier phase, which began in 2021 with just four organisations. Since then, the network has expanded significantly, now comprising 35 organisations from across the Western Balkans and beyond. This expansion has created a powerful, interconnected group of stakeholders working together to tackle climate change at multiple levels.

The initiative emphasises that climate change knows no borders, and neither should the solutions. Through this cooperative framework, the project fosters long-term partnerships that will continue to drive climate action across the region well after the project concludes in March 2027.

Looking Ahead

As the Climate Bridges network moves forward, it will continue to serve as a model for regional collaboration, proving that shared efforts can lead to effective climate governance, enhanced capacity building, and more robust climate policies. The project’s emphasis on local contexts, combined with a regional approach, ensures that the Western Balkans will be better equipped to meet their climate goals and overcome future challenges.

Want to Join the Climate Bridges Network?

If you’re interested in joining this dynamic network and contributing to impactful climate action in the Western Balkans, we invite you to reach out to us.

For more information or to get involved, please contact us at email: network@climate-bridges.com

The Path Forward: What Needs to Be Done? 

Michaela Valentová from Czech Technical University (CTU) set the tone for the discussion by translating her scientific insights into three clear points that we need to focus on implementing. These are:

1. Lower temperatures in district heating networks – More energy-efficient buildings will enable a shift to lower temperatures, making better use of renewable sources and heat pumps.
2. Diversify energy sources – A combination of heat pumps, cogeneration units, and other modern technologies can provide stable and sustainable heating.
3. Integrate heating with the electricity sector – Flexibility services and better use of locally produced electricity can support a more efficient system.

“Lowering temperatures in district heating systems is possible because we now have more energy-efficient buildings where high temperatures of 90–100 degrees are no longer needed. On the contrary, reducing temperatures allows for greater integration of renewable energy sources, which then operate more efficiently,” said Valentová.
However, she also emphasised that in order to achieve them, we need a clear and predictable policy environment. In the end, all speakers agreed on this.

Opportunities and Success Stories: From the Danish town of Felding to the Czech municipality of Svatý Jan nad Malší

A Danish example was presented by a representative of a company specialising in heat pumps – Filip Tesař, who stated, “While every Czech heating plant has a chimney, the Danish one has a heat pump.” He pointed to the aforementioned political environment as the key to the success of Denmark’s heating sector transformation.

Successful examples of local transformation in Czechia are already known, or promising projects are emerging, where the involvement of local residents is always emphasised. An example is a feasibility study for district heating in Jiříkov demonstrating that combining heat pumps and cogeneration units is effective, but high investment costs remain a challenge. Or Milevsko, where a mix of photovoltaics and heat pumps achieved 70% self-sufficiency for an apartment building, leading to long-term savings.

A good example of what can be done even at the level of a small municipality was shown by the mayor of Svatý Jan nad Malší – Růžena Balláková.

“The municipality started addressing district heating as early as 2002, when it was decided to build a large wood chip boiler plant at the local school and install distribution pipelines to other municipal buildings. Thanks to the municipality owning 129 hectares of forest, a significant portion of the fuel supply for heating was secured. In 2004, a second, larger boiler plant was built, and the district heating network was expanded to include new developments with 12 municipal apartments and 15 family houses. Two years later, a third phase extended the network to eight older houses and a municipal apartment building with five units.”

Today, Svatý Jan nad Malší has a fully modernised heating plant, which, in addition to manual fueling, can also be monitored and controlled remotely.

What’s Crucial for the Future?

Workshop participants agreed that successful decarbonisation of Czech heating requires a clear national strategy, financial support for grid modernisation, and cooperation between municipalities and the private sector. Solutions exist—the key is to implement them effectively and at a national level, while prioritizing renewable energy with people participation. 

At the workshop, we also presented a new publication, The Economics of Electricity Sharing which is freely available for download but only in Czech, as it primarily focuses on the Czech context.