EUKI Interview: Every Solution to the Energy Transition Starts with an A 

The A+ Approach to Enhance Energy Transition project recently ended. Why did you choose to focus on local authorities for promoting a just and sustainable energy transition? 

Estimates say that around 80 per cent of energy transition must happen locally. Municipalities are where energy efficiency measures are ultimately implemented, heating systems decarbonised and energy communities established. We focus particularly on municipalities located in regions that have historically depended on fossil fuels and where the economic and cultural fabric is shaped by coal or other heavy industry. These are the places where change is most needed and at the same time sometimes most difficult to make happen.

At the CEE Bankwatch Network, we have realised that local actors often lack access to information, capacity and general support in using EU funds effectively. In addition to that, citizens, journalists and representatives of civil society are often not empowered to demand ambitious and fair transition measures. That’s what we wanted to change.

What was your approach and why was it successful?

We focused on the four pillars of awareness, access, affordability and ambition and looked at the transitioning ecosystems as a whole. So we empowered municipalities to become more knowledgeable on green transition solutions and EU funds, but also reached out to professional communities and EU-level decision-makers who are shaping the next EU budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework. This multi-level approach worked really well. It is also worth mentioning that the German government was a key partner for the CEE countries in this project. It was important for us that project results and findings are shared with experts from the German government and with the general public through the media. We achieved this by working with our partner E3G – Third Generation Environmentalism. 

We started by assessing local actors’ needs and it was very surprising to hear from many of them: “This is the first time anyone has asked us what we need and what could be useful for us.” It confirmed that we were filling a real gap that is not sufficiently addressed by national governments and EU-level initiatives. At the EU level, it was interesting to see how our presence shaped some of the discussions around the preparations for the next EU budget.

Dora Crnčević; Communications Officer with CEE Bankwatch Network

What kind of message did you try to send? 

How the narrative is shaped is extremely relevant. If it remains technical, using abstract terms which are not understood outside professional silos, then it is impossible to reach local communities. However, if you talk to them about clean air, affordable heating and reliable transport, then they respond, because these issues are close to their hearts.
You also have to take emotional aspects into account. Coal is much more than an emitting fossil fuel for someone whose father and grandfather worked in a local coal mine. If people realise that the era of coal has passed, then they want to understand what their lives after coal will look like and ask for support so that they are not left behind.

Did anything surprising come up during project implementation?  

First, the number of local actors involved in our activities doubled compared to our expectations. It also surprised us that many local actors were really eager to adapt to new realities and welcomed structured support because they are aware that without it, there’s even more chaos. It was also a pleasure to see municipalities move from some vague abstract ideas to very specific project strategies. On a personal level, I was impressed how, over the course of the project, environmental activists turned into trustful partners for local actors.

One of your focus areas was awareness-raising. What worked well in reaching people who are not part of the “climate bubble”? 

It is important to consider current trends such as people’s short attention span when consuming online content. We therefore used blog posts with stories in language that was likely to appeal to the grassroots. We also produced a very successful series of social media posts with a glossary on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), along with podcasts, infographics and videos with testimonials from beneficiaries. All this content is available on our Multimedia Hub, which will remain accessible in the long term and has a strong reputation for its credibility.

Not only did you train or advise local authorities and leaders; the project also included some fairly large-scale climate renovation projects. Can you give a few examples? 

Yes, we went beyond training and supported local authorities step by step in shaping solutions to meet their communities’ needs. The projects implemented in our eight project countries varied in size and maturity.

One of the larger multi-million-euro renovation, energy efficiency and renewable heating projects is being delivered in Partizánske, Slovakia. It is now moving into the investment phase, based on a detailed feasibility study supported by a technical assistance programme run by the European Investment Bank. This is a good example of how local ambition can unlock major investment. Based on this example, other regions like Pernik in Bulgaria are developing community heating and efficiency projects.
At the other end of the scale, we have a project that is very dear to our hearts with energy communities in Narva, Estonia. It is transformative in spirit, because even if it only involves a few hundred people today, it represents a paradigm shift towards collective citizen-driven energy solutions in a region that is traditionally very fossil fuel-dependent.

Applying for EU funding, for example from the Just Transition Fund, remains challenging. What is needed to make it easier for local communities to access these funds? 

During our national round tables and meetings with local actors, we highlighted three main factors to consider:

First, be aware of capacities! Municipalities need staff, they need expertise and they need time to prepare projects.

Second, establish low-cost and easily accessible support structures for citizens, local businesses, local authorities and civil society. One-stop shops, technical assistance hubs or community energy facilitators are flexible structures that can be easily adapted to local needs. Once established, they gain momentum and generate a long-term return on investment.

Third, simplify processes! Local authorities must be responsive to people’s needs and ideas and be open to dialogue and learning. They can benefit from examples of good practice from other municipalities and even other regions or countries.

Which lessons would you like to share with other climate actors? Are there any clear do’s and don’ts? 

We recommend investing in local activists, community leaders and – as we like to call them – just transition heroes. These groups are essential allies for unlocking any kind of local action. Providing continuous long-term support is also key, not just conducting one workshop and inundating local actors with information. Building multi-level coalitions is part of Bankwatch’s identity and it is this approach of addressing the whole range of actors from citizens to municipalities, to EU institutions, NGOs and civil society that also contributed to this project’s success. Finally, we should always keep in mind that we are not in a competitive environment. We are stronger together. So forming coalitions with reliable partners always helps to get the message out loud and clear to larger audiences.