Organized by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Foundation and Blanka Smoljan and with the support of the City of Varaždin, we had the opportunity to participate in a great discussion that gave rise to many questions from the audience!
We all tried to answer the following questions together:
It is often said that the question is not whether the energy transition will happen, but who will play an important role in this transition?
Will we rely solely on large producers, or will citizens also play an important role in this transition?
Will local energy generation and sharing be a necessity in the future? Which cities have already recognised their citizens as important partners in this process?
It was a real pleasure to have a great conversation with Martina Nemčić, Mislav Kirac, Damir Medved, Ivan Dubravec and Tomislav Valičević – as always very well moderated by Blanka!
And of course it was a great opportunity to present to the participants what we are doing on the LIFE DISCOVER project and what they can expect from us in the coming period.
Empowering citizens for a sustainable energy future
The conference highlighted how community-driven energy projects empower citizens to take an active role in the local energy transition, contributing to a sustainable and democratic energy future. Introductory speeches and debates showcase real-world examples from the European Union and the Western Balkans, highlighting the potential of citizens' initiatives in fostering environmental progress and energy sovereignty.
Representatives of the Association Without Borders and LIFE DISCOVER projectDamir Medved) and the Northern Adriatic Energy Community participated in the conference, and the President of the ECSJ Damir Juričić He was also a panelist.
Dynamic panel discussion on regional cooperation: A panel of esteemed energy experts explored the path to democratised access to energy in EU countries and outside the EU, moderated by PET Operations Director, Ms Tanja Popovicki, and attended by Mr Dragomir Tzanev (Bulgaria), Damir Juričić (Croatia), Mr Aleksandar Macura (Serbia) and Ms Iva Đinđić Ćosić (Serbia), who shared their own experiences and vision on how we can move forward in more community energy initiatives in the region. They also showcased successful examples. the Energy Communities of the City of Burgas i Gabrova (Bulgaria) and Northern Adriatic Energy Communities based in Rijeka (Croatia).
Building interregional momentum
PET Conference emphasized the key role of cross-border cooperation and knowledge exchange between Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia and Serbia in advancing energy democratization, and panellists and participants emphasized the transformative potential of community-led energy in building resilient, sustainable local economies. With its impressive array of experts, interesting discussions and effective insights, the conference marks a crucial step forward in empowering citizens to lead the energy transition across the Western Balkans.
10:00 - 10:40 UNIRI Block (Centre for Smart and Sustainable Cities + EDIH ADRIA)
EDIH and regional cooperation potentials (Damir Medved) – 20 min
What is EDIH and how do we work
Examples of how we have helped small municipalities and cities
New technologies that can help with the energy transition (Damir Medved) – 20 min
What is the BECKN protocol
Examples from practice
10.40 – 11.00 Refreshment break
11:00-12:00 Block "Without Borders & ECSJ"
LIFE DISCOVER project – presentation of the project and results achieved so far (Davorka Medved) – 15 min
Energy transition in partner countries
Instructions for the operation of support centres for energy communities
Establishment of OSS on Drenova
Energy transition – energy communities, benefits of connectivity, new models of financing activities, opportunities and barriers (Damir Juričić) – 20 min
Social Energy Communities
the Civic Energy Community
ESG - Energy communities to support the achievement of objectives
Presentation of the ECSJ (Damir Juričić) – 10 min
Q&A – 15 min
12:00 – 12:30 PORIN and 3D platforms tour
We look forward to exchanging experiences and future cooperation!
On May 7, 2024, in the Business Incubator KASPI in Kastav, the first in a series of meetings was held with stakeholders from the City of Kastav, to which we presented the DISCOVER project. The City of Kastav is one of the stakeholders of the DISCOVER project, which is being implemented in several pilot regions, and the Association Without Borders is implementing it in Croatia. Through the project, we will provide the City of Kastav – a unit of local self-government, but also citizens, entrepreneurs and other interested parties with the necessary knowledge and information on the topic of Community Energy Projects (CEPs).
The basic information about the DISCOVER project was given by the project manager Davorka Medved. Damir Juričić presented the factors of financial sustainability of energy communities. Damir Medved explained the technical prerequisites for the work of energy communities as well as the technological capabilities of available platforms. Participants asked a number of questions about the topics presented.
The introductory meeting was full of information, so it was agreed to organize a continuation in which other interested parties from the City of Kastav will be involved.
In front of the full hall, Saša Ukić, Damir Medved and Damir Juričić spoke to interested citizens of the Kantrida Local Committee in Rijeka about theoretical and practical topics related to energy communities and energy transition.
English (UK)