Empowering Local Leaders for a Sustainable Future

With its focus on raising awareness about the European Green Deal and strengthening local capacity for just transition, the project delivered tangible results by empowering communities, authorities, and civil society organisations in seven countries: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia, involving Germany as well. Several months after its conclusion, the outcomes are starting to take shape across participating regions, demonstrating how local leadership and knowledge transfer can drive meaningful, long-term climate solutions.

“This project has shown how local leadership and collaboration can contribute to turning ambitious climate goals into tangible, impactful solutions.”

Adriána Harnúšková, project coordinator from the CEE Bankwatch Network

Innovative Education and Training as a Catalyst

At the heart of the project was a commitment to making complex topics – such as just transition, renewable energy, and climate adaptation – more accessible and actionable. Through innovative tools like virtual tours (from Bulgaria , Estonia , Hungary , Latvia  and Poland) and the Navigating the Just Transition webinar series, the project brought these ideas to life. Over 280 participants joined the ten webinars featuring insights from NGOs, European Commission officials, as well as national and regional leaders. Themes tackled a wide range of issues related to the just transition – from youth engagement to the transformative potential of the process which helped to amplify the messaging on the importance of the just transition.

In addition to raising awareness, capacity-building events were designed to equip local leaders with practical skills for driving sustainable transition in their communities. An updated version of a manual, providing guidance on organising effective capacity-building events was published. By combining expert knowledge with accessible, user-friendly tools, the project laid a foundation for local leaders to take ownership of climate actions in their regions.

Driving Progress: Local Success Stories

The project’s influence is already visible through success stories among beneficiaries and local authorities. In Slovakia, the city of Partizánske emerged as a prime example of how project outcomes can translate into the planning of real-world solutions. Building on a feasibility study for a renewable district heating system, Partizánske has taken first decisive steps towards implementation. Shortly after the project concluded, the city secured funding through the European Investment Bank’s TARGET programme, enabling technical assistance for evaluating options for decarbonising its heating systems.

What began as an ambitious idea became a structured initiative, inspiring confidence among municipal leaders. As Dáša Jakubíková, head of the municipal office of Partizánske, explained:

“A year ago, I thought heat pumps in central heating were a utopia and then we went for an expert visit to the Czech Republic organised by Friends of the Earth-CEPA. Their enthusiasm fired us up to bring to our city the best technology that is available at the moment.”

Dáša Jakubíková, head of the municipal office of Partizánske, Slovakia

A working group for heating system decarbonisation was also established, ensuring continued focus and collaboration on this transformative project.

In Estonia, the project strengthened efforts in Ida-Virumaa, the country’s only just transition region. By hosting stakeholder roundtables and public events, local organisations increased awareness of community energy solutions and emphasised the role of public financing in facilitating the transition. An expert analysis on the potential of the community energy uptake in the region has been included in a recent Bankwatch publication.

Supporting Long-Term Capacity Building

Beyond individual success stories, the project’s training sessions empowered municipalities to take meaningful first steps toward sustainable change. In Latvia, a transformative seminar in Daugavpils brought local authorities together to explore zero-emission technologies and renewable energy solutions. While the region’s centralised structure presents challenges, the event’s relevance in slowly shifting attitudes and encouraging a proactive approach to green solutions has been significant.

Similarly, in Bulgaria, municipalities such as Pernik and Bobov Dol were introduced to the concept of energy communities. These sessions helped local leaders understand both the theoretical and practical aspects of establishing energy communities, which could play a key role in the region’s energy transition. Though long-term outcomes are still unfolding, the positive feedback underscores the value of these efforts as incremental steps towards broader change.

Strengthening Civil Society for Greater Impact

The project also highlighted the critical role of civil society in ensuring the transparency and effectiveness of EU funding for green investments. In Poland, a few months after the project ended, in autumn 2024, a short video on the Partnership Principle  – the European code of conduct on partnership – demonstrated how active participation in monitoring committees allows citizens to co-create and oversee EU-funded energy transformation projects. In Latvia, a national conference on EU funds emphasised the need for greater involvement of NGOs and improved transparency in decision-making processes. These initiatives serve as important building blocks for fostering trust, collaboration, and citizen engagement in climate action.

A Blueprint for a Just Transition

The Local Leaders for the Next Generation project exemplifies how education, capacity building, and collaboration can empower communities to take ownership of their sustainable transition. By focusing on local leadership and delivering practical tools, the project has enabled municipalities to start embracing innovative solutions, from potential renewable district heating in Slovakia to community energy initiatives in Estonia.

While many outcomes are still in progress, the project’s long-term impact is undeniable. By inspiring action, strengthening local capacity, and amplifying the voices of civil society, Local Leaders for the Next Generation has laid a solid foundation for just and sustainable transition across Central and Eastern Europe. These efforts not only contribute to the European Green Deal but also demonstrate the power of local leadership in driving meaningful change for future generations.