Periodic Reporting for period 2 - EXCITE (Award Excellence, Invest in Trust: Tailored Energy Management Services for East European Local Authorities)
Reporting period: 2022-03-01 to 2023-11-30
The goal of the EXCITE project is to apply the well-established energy management scheme of the European Energy Award (eea) in Central and Eastern European municipalities, enabling them to become trusted partners of EU and national-level authorities and to engage local communities for deliberate climate action. This, on its end, helps attracting innovative businesses to the involved cities and intensifies the local economies, supporting them in the surge for better living standard and maintaining young and vibrant communities proactively contributing to the energy transition. Thus, through applying the methodology the eea initiative, the project enhances the implementation of energy efficiency measures at local level through securing the necessary technical, economic and social conditions for attracting of private investors, promoting public entrepreneurship and successful leveraging of the scarce public resources.
As the achievement of this goal requires broad public support, the project invests significant efforts in developing capacities for engagement with the civil society and incentivising local communities to proactively use the available opportunities, becoming a driving force in the European energy transition. The actions also support the implementation of the Covenant of Mayors, enabling more municipalities to join the initiative and serving as major data input and result monitoring tool for the actual implementation of the SECAPs of the involved cities. Last but not least, the embracing of the eea methodology has become the basis of an action-oriented peer learning platform, transferring experience and know-how from already well-developed Austrian, Swiss and French municipalities to Central and Eastern European cities. The project has also enabled peer-to-peer learning between the cities in the target region, supporting them to gradually shift to more sustainable practices in their economic and social development.
As the achievement of this goal requires broad public support, the project invests significant efforts in developing capacities for engagement with the civil society and incentivising local communities to proactively use the available opportunities, becoming a driving force in the European energy transition. The actions also support the implementation of the Covenant of Mayors, enabling more municipalities to join the initiative and serving as major data input and result monitoring tool for the actual implementation of the SECAPs of the involved cities. Last but not least, the embracing of the eea methodology has become the basis of an action-oriented peer learning platform, transferring experience and know-how from already well-developed Austrian, Swiss and French municipalities to Central and Eastern European cities. The project has also enabled peer-to-peer learning between the cities in the target region, supporting them to gradually shift to more sustainable practices in their economic and social development.
During the initial phase of the project activities, the responsible partners in the three pilot countries - Bulgaria, Slovenia and North Macedonia - set up the institutional framework and the eaa toolbox at national level. This dedicated action lead to the development of recommendations on eea integration with the SECAP reporting process, supported by the eea online energy management tool. A detailed guide for the Assessment Guidance’s adaptation was created to support and ease the national adaptations. Subsequently, taking into consideration the actual scope of action and needs in the selected pilot municipalities (3 per country), the eea catalogue and assessment guidance was translated to Slovenian, Bulgarian and Macedonian. In each municipality, up to 4 experts (eea consultants/advisors) were successfully selected and trained by the end of 2021. In parallel, the national institutional structures in the more advanced eea countries – Romania and Ukraine – was strengthened, as efforts were concentrated on ongoing eea assessment and certification.
Following the preparatory stage, the next crucial step was the launch of the pilot phase, utilizing the eea Management Tool for initial energy and climate reviews, and consequently shifting towards audits and certification from the eea international auditors. This process was successfully conducted in the majority of the in the 26 pilot municipalities, leading to design and implementation of tailored policies within a coherent eea energy and climate plan, and formulating national roll-out plans based on insights gained during the pilot phase. In the process, other 92 municipalities were directly involved in project-related activities, promoting the benefits of engaging in systematic energy management practices.
Certainly, the success of EXCITE was based not only on the implementation of the eea process, but also on the three main project pillars ensuring sustainable uptake of the promoted actions: definition of financing models, stakeholders engagement and capacity building activities. As a first step, a database of financing mechanisms was elaborated and related to the existing public support programmes, providing reliable information to local authorities and shaping a common basis for assessment of the investment potential. In the realm of civil engagement, the project developed guidance and strategies, fostering proactive involvement of local communities. To build capacity and ensure knowledge dissemination, an innovative capacity building program was designed, employing an online learning platform available in 6 languages. This initiative supported expert training, online and onsite workshops, peer reviews, and blended learning formats.
The results of these activities were presented to over 7000 stakeholders via dedicated events, emphasizing the significance of streamlined energy management systems in attracting private investments and engaging municipalities in sustained activities in this direction. In addition, more than 130 publications on issues related to municipal energy planning and management were prompted, putting the topic high on the media and public agenda.
Following the preparatory stage, the next crucial step was the launch of the pilot phase, utilizing the eea Management Tool for initial energy and climate reviews, and consequently shifting towards audits and certification from the eea international auditors. This process was successfully conducted in the majority of the in the 26 pilot municipalities, leading to design and implementation of tailored policies within a coherent eea energy and climate plan, and formulating national roll-out plans based on insights gained during the pilot phase. In the process, other 92 municipalities were directly involved in project-related activities, promoting the benefits of engaging in systematic energy management practices.
Certainly, the success of EXCITE was based not only on the implementation of the eea process, but also on the three main project pillars ensuring sustainable uptake of the promoted actions: definition of financing models, stakeholders engagement and capacity building activities. As a first step, a database of financing mechanisms was elaborated and related to the existing public support programmes, providing reliable information to local authorities and shaping a common basis for assessment of the investment potential. In the realm of civil engagement, the project developed guidance and strategies, fostering proactive involvement of local communities. To build capacity and ensure knowledge dissemination, an innovative capacity building program was designed, employing an online learning platform available in 6 languages. This initiative supported expert training, online and onsite workshops, peer reviews, and blended learning formats.
The results of these activities were presented to over 7000 stakeholders via dedicated events, emphasizing the significance of streamlined energy management systems in attracting private investments and engaging municipalities in sustained activities in this direction. In addition, more than 130 publications on issues related to municipal energy planning and management were prompted, putting the topic high on the media and public agenda.
For the local authorities in Central and Eastern Europe, adopting energy management methodologies opens new market avenues and enhances recognition from EU, national bodies, and private investors. Similarly, consultants and auditors benefit from an extended network, connecting municipalities with training, consultancy, and broadening market opportunities.
In this respect, the exploration of viable financing mechanisms aligns perfectly with the eea methodology, offering avenues for steady uptake of innovative concepts like energy cooperatives and crowd-funded projects at the local level, significantly enhancing the established practices of attracting national or EU support for the implementation of the local energy and climate policies. Closely related to that, modular capacity building corresponds precisely to the training needs and time limitations of municipal officials, targeting local leadership on innovative project design and financing and also incentivising training providers for widespread exploitation. On its turn, successful stakeholder engagement relies on effective communication, ensuring that the local communities comprehend both the benefits and the process. Thus, the EXCITE pilot action acts as a conduit for knowledge and services in topical areas, fostering collaboration that extends to civil society, influencing behaviour changes and dedicated community action in support of local energy and climate plans.
In the long-term, the implementation of the eea methodology is expected to continue to serve as a basis for transferring experience and know-how from well-developed EU municipalities, with the aim to significantly increase the quality of the local climate and energy strategies, to stimulate proactive local action, and to boost the international reputation of the participating cities, thus attracting innovative businesses and investors. From the point of view of public entrepreneurs, new market opportunities will be enhanced by the application of the energy management methodology and tools and increased recognition of local authorities. In addition, the establishing of a network for connecting active municipalities with training and consultancy services will significantly broaden the market opportunities for eea consultants and qualified energy experts.
In this respect, the exploration of viable financing mechanisms aligns perfectly with the eea methodology, offering avenues for steady uptake of innovative concepts like energy cooperatives and crowd-funded projects at the local level, significantly enhancing the established practices of attracting national or EU support for the implementation of the local energy and climate policies. Closely related to that, modular capacity building corresponds precisely to the training needs and time limitations of municipal officials, targeting local leadership on innovative project design and financing and also incentivising training providers for widespread exploitation. On its turn, successful stakeholder engagement relies on effective communication, ensuring that the local communities comprehend both the benefits and the process. Thus, the EXCITE pilot action acts as a conduit for knowledge and services in topical areas, fostering collaboration that extends to civil society, influencing behaviour changes and dedicated community action in support of local energy and climate plans.
In the long-term, the implementation of the eea methodology is expected to continue to serve as a basis for transferring experience and know-how from well-developed EU municipalities, with the aim to significantly increase the quality of the local climate and energy strategies, to stimulate proactive local action, and to boost the international reputation of the participating cities, thus attracting innovative businesses and investors. From the point of view of public entrepreneurs, new market opportunities will be enhanced by the application of the energy management methodology and tools and increased recognition of local authorities. In addition, the establishing of a network for connecting active municipalities with training and consultancy services will significantly broaden the market opportunities for eea consultants and qualified energy experts.