Methane Action Workshop for Civil Society in Romania
As part of EUKI-funded project Implementing the EU Methane Emission Regulation (I-MER) in Romania and Czechia, a dedicated Capacity-Building Workshop for Civil Society on the EU Methane Regulation was organised in Bucharest, Romania. The workshop marked the first intervention of its kind within the project and aimed to strengthen the knowledge base, advocacy capacity, and communication skills of civil society organisations (CSOs) working on climate and energy policy.
The event, organized by the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) on 13 November 2025, brought together 11 NGOs and 6 expert speakers, representing a diverse cross-section of Romania’s environmental and energy policy landscape. Participants included major national organisations active in environmental advocacy, as well as local organisations from Ploiești and the Jiu Valley, regions significantly affected by oil refining and coal mining activities. The workshop also engaged a Romanian energy policy think tank specialising in energy transition and climate policy analysis, alongside organisations working at the intersection of science communication and creative engagement.
The technical sessions benefited from contributions by recognised experts in methane emissions mitigation from institutions including Utrecht University, UNEP International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), Ember and Clean Air Task Force. Discussions covered the regulatory framework of the EU Methane Regulation, monitoring and reporting requirements, measurement methodologies, and the broader climate and energy policy implications. Participants remained highly engaged throughout the sessions, raising substantive questions and contributing to in-depth exchanges.
Beyond the technical dimension, the workshop included a dedicated communication and advocacy session, designed to support NGOs in mainstreaming methane emissions into their ongoing campaigns. The objective was to enable participants to act as message multipliers within their own networks and to communicate methane-related topics in accessible, non-technical language. The session emphasised the social, health, environmental, economic and climate impacts of methane emissions, moving beyond an exclusive focus on CO2.
The interactive format included practical exercises and structured brainstorming aimed at identifying concrete follow-up actions and integration pathways for methane-related advocacy. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants completed an assessment questionnaire regarding their communication needs. The results will inform the development of tailored support materials and capacity-building resources.
Following the workshop, several organisations expressed a clear willingness to engage in methane mitigation advocacy and signalled strong interest in participating in field-based awareness campaigns. Joint actions and follow-up cooperation are planned for 2026.
More information is available on the events section of the project website.