Project, process, network; preparatory phase; planned duration: 5-10 years

Submitted by / EUSDR Priority Area(s): PA 2 Sustainable Energy

The Flagship will enable the spread of comprehensive systems, such as e.g. the “European Energy Award” (EEA) that facilitate the daily operation work of local authorities in their municipal energy planning. Such a “seed project” already exists (EEA along the Danube, supported by the State Ministry of Baden Württemberg), but future new projects are also planned (e.g. addressing the 2022 autumn call of DTP) partly to increase the recognition and adaption of the EEA system in the Danube Region, partly to address new objectives to be elaborated in full details in 2022. One such idea is to establish a network of experts and interested municipalities (“Danube Region Advisory Hub”) that support the set-up of new and the expansion of existing energy communities in a broader sense (going beyond the “prosumer” concept of renewable electricity and smart energy systems, and including local heating systems as well), to assist municipalities to elaborate their Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAP-s), enforce them joining the Covenant of Mayors, harmonise local policies to national and EU strategies, facilitate capacity building and benchmarking, etc.

Objectives

The Flagship activities (existing and future projects, as well as established municipal and expert networks) aim to coordinate and support local, citizen-driven energy actions in the Danube Region to enhance a clean energy transition and fight against energy poverty, thus addressing Action 6 of the EUSDR Action Plan.

Need and (expected) impact

The collective and citizen-driven energy actions that help pave the way for a clean energy transition at local levels have an increasing importance in Europe. They contribute to growing public acceptance of renewable energy projects and make it easier to attract private investments. At the same time, they have the potential to provide direct benefits to citizens by increasing energy efficiency, lowering their energy bills and creating local job opportunities. Nevertheless these initiatives are less common in the Danube Region, especially in its eastern part, where energy poverty is a main hurdle.

The Flagship activities are expected to contribute to a better developed and more energy conscious society in the Danube Region with a higher number of municipalities adapting smart energy planning and management and monitoring systems, as well as participating in relevant EU networks (e.g. Covenant of Mayors, Energy Communities, EEA, etc.) and less areas affected by energy poverty.

Macro-regional dimension

All EUSDR countries are cooperating and the expected impacts are relevant to all cooperating countries.

Stakeholders involved

Policymakers and authorities at national, regional (municipal) and local level, energy and climate agencies, energy suppliers, NGOs and engaged organisations and citizens.

Budget and Funding

Flagship projects with their own budgets (potential sources: Interreg Programmes, European City Facility Programme). The current “EEA along the Danube” project is co-financed by the State Ministry of Baden Württemberg by ca. EUR 200,000. Flagship other process/network activities: est. EUR 10.000/year (source: PAC project).

Further information & Contact

Zsuzsa Bálint Vörös, senior adviser, email: Zsvoros@mfa.gov.hu