The 23rd edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities ended successfully with over 200 sessions with more than 300 speakers and over 6.500 participants.
At this year’s EU Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels, the session focused on the role of regional and local actors in the clean energy transition, featuring insights from the EU-funded ENTRACK and PLENTY-Life projects. In particular, the session was divided into a series of key takeaways by the four panellists and a Q&A facilitated by Giulia Viero, from IEECP. It highlighted the importance of regional collaboration, data-driven planning and citizen engagement in achieving EU climate and energy goals.
Speakers from both projects shared experiences from pilots, showing how data collection, dialogue and co-design can lead to local participation. ENTRACK (presented by JP Gouveia, NOVA FCT and L. Aquaviva) emphasized the value of combining social engagement with data for better energy planning in Mediterranean regions, while PLENTY-Life (presented by M. Pereira, EDP and A. Bisello, EURAC) demonstrated how focusing on multiple benefits and inclusive co-design strengthens trust and commitment at the local level. Finally, the discussion highlighted that trust, inclusion and transparent communication of benefits are essential foundations for a fair and effective energy transition and that engaging citizens and local industries remains both one of the greatest challenges and the greatest opportunities for success.
Here are some of the speakers’ quotes:
Local administrators cannot deliver on EU goals if they are unaware of their primary role or lack support to develop a medium- and long-term vision
To achieve a just energy transition, we must engage citizens and local actors through diverse pathways. ENTRACK proves this bridge’s policy and action, creating solutions that are effective, community-relevant and locally owned
