Collaboration between public bodies and citizen energy groups in implementing local energy strategies in Central Europe
Central European countries need support in the development of local and regional energy strategies and action plans, since they are lagging in their implementation and thereby threatening regional competitiveness. Local authorities face many challenges in implementing the plans including lack of financing, being understaffed and lacking local acceptance. This undermines the pledge that signatories made to support the EU action in reducing GHG emissions by 40% until 2030. Creating a functional Low Carbon Economy Plan (like SEAP/SECAP) requires tapping into the human and financial potential of citizens. ENES-CE is addressing this challenge and beyond through improving the adoption and quality of energy plans with a bottom up quadruple helix approach, where citizens play a pivotal role. The expected results are the following: - - Innovative energy strategies developed and implemented, through a revision of existing energy plans;- Citizens involved thanks to a bottom up approach in the process of energy strategies and planning development, - Managerial system improved in terms of human resources improvement; - A framework for developing citizen investments has been created, addressing legal, institutional and economic specificities, - Energy groups/energy cooperatives created and able to support the planning, implementing and also the financing of sustainable energy projects and based on the needs of the citizens in Central Europe and beyond.