Authors: Federica Ragazzo – Contributors: Giulia Viero & Jérémy Clèro
This policy brief showcases how local authorities in rural areas of Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain experience the energy transition. Through self-assessments, municipalities shared the challenges they face in designing and implementing inclusive energy plans.
Local officials reported several barriers: high costs for sustainable technologies, complex administrative procedures and low public awareness of energy policies and support schemes. These issues are common in rural areas, where visibility and involvement in national strategies are often limited.
Despite their willingness to lead the transition, many municipalities lack the tools and training to carry out effective plans. Monitoring progress and coordinating across sectors were identified as weak points.
To address these gaps, ENTRACK recommends:
- Embedding social goals in local energy plans, such as reducing energy poverty and promoting fair access to clean energy.
- Providing targeted support through training and technical assistance to strengthen local planning and coordination.
- Simplifying access to national and EU funding by improving procedures and offering guidance.
Local authorities are encouraged to pilot these recommendations and share their experiences through ENTRACK’s collaboration with pilot municipalities.
Empowering local governments is significant to achieve a fair and inclusive energy transition. With the right support, municipalities can better help their communities.