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Eurpoean Commission

16th Citizens’ Energy Forum in Budapest: Empowering citizens for a just energy transition

Date: 05.12.2024
 

Participation about the HERCULES-CE project by Emilia Romagna-Region

 

On December 5th, HERCULES-CE was part of the 16th edition of the Citizens’ Energy Forum that took place in Budapest, organized by the Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) of the European Commission in collaboration with the Hungarian Energy and Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. Since its establishment in 2008, the Forum has served as a key platform for consumers, regulators, and industry to provide the European Commission with valuable insights and feedback. This year’s event was the first under the new Commission, offering participants a chance to shape the terms of the proposed Citizens’ Energy Package, a central component of a socially just energy transition.

A Platform for Exchange and Collaboration

This year, the Forum brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including representatives from regional governments, municipalities, NGOs, citizen energy communities, and businesses. Participants exchanged experiences and discussed key strategies for achieving a fair and inclusive energy transition, particularly in Central and Eastern European countries still reliant on coal. Key challenges such as energy poverty and a lack of public awareness were highlighted, alongside potential solutions like innovative technologies and improved access to green financing.

HERCULES-CE Project Contributions

Experts from the HERCULES-CE project, A. Tiziana De Nittis and Letizia Zavatti from the Energy and Green Economy Area of the Emilia-Romagna Region, were invited to present their work during the breakout session “Nurturing Energy Citizenship: Empowering Citizens and Energy Communities to Take Up an Active Role in the Energy Transition.” Their presentation on the Interreg-project emphasized the importance of legal and financial support for citizen engagement and control in energy initiatives. The discussion concluded with key recommendations, including the need for diverse legal and business models for energy communities, enhanced public funding to unlock private investment, and the establishment of one-stop-shops to improve access to information.

Further information about the Citizens’ Energy Forum under: https://energy.ec.europa.eu/events/16th-citizens-energy-forum-2024-12-05_en