From Policy to Practice: Driving Energy Renovation in Central and Eastern Europe – Synergies, Strategies, and Local Success Stories from the CEE Region
How can ambitious climate goals be effectively translated into concrete actions in the cities and buildings of Central and Eastern Europe? We were looking for answers to this question during the international online conference titled “From Policy to Practice: Driving Energy Renovation in Central and Eastern Europe – Synergies, Strategies, and Local Success Stories from the CEE Region” held on 11 July 2025. The event was organized within the framework of the OUR-CEE project, funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German government.
Study visit to Hamburg: Efficient urban planning, building renovation and innovative use of Renewable Energy Sources
On June 9-12, 2025, representatives of Polish local governments and international partners had the opportunity to participate in a study visit to Hamburg, organized by the Association of Municipalities Polish Network “Energie Cités”. The visit was aimed at inspiring representatives of municipalities to implement innovative solutions and show Hamburg's approach to urban planning, including modernization of buildings and implementation of renewable energy sources. Participants had the opportunity to learn about good practices that have not only made Hamburg stand out today in terms of innovation, but were created as a response to problems the city once faced.
ISO 50001 in practice: energy management system training for municipalities as part of the OwnYourSECAP project
An efficient energy management system in a municipality is a tool that translates into real benefits – lower bills, greater control over energy consumption and better use of local resources. It enables effective investment planning and improves the energy efficiency of buildings and infrastructure. A well-designed system increases the municipality's energy independence, improves the quality of life of its residents and allows for a faster response to challenges related to rising energy costs and climate change. It is also an opportunity to strengthen the municipality's position as a modern and responsible local community.
With deep sorrow and sadness, we bid farewell to Mrs. Maria Stankiewicz
With deep sorrow and sadness, we bid farewell to Mrs. Maria Stankiewicz – co-founder of our Association, PNEC Office Director for 17 years, a person of great heart, a brilliant and creative mind, inexhaustible energy, kindness, and unwavering spirit. We will miss her dearly.
She will remain forever in our hearts and in our grateful memory.
Act now, Shape Tomorrow – final conference of the OwnYourSECAP project
The final conference of the OwnYourSECAP project took place on June 13, 2025. The project, co-financed by the EU under the LIFE Clean Energy Transition programme, brought together participants from across Europe to discuss local energy and climate initiatives. The event, held under the theme "Act Local, Shape Tomorrow: Lessons from OwnYourSECAP," gathered representatives from local authorities, European institutions, and energy and climate experts in an online format. It provided an opportunity to reflect on three years of joint efforts towards local energy and climate transition and to share experiences among municipalities from different parts of Europe.
PlanHeat: Local Heat Planning - Achieving the Heat Transition in BSR Municipalities
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The PlanHeat project brings together local authorities and expert organisations from seven Baltic Sea Region countries, supporting cities in local heat planning (LHP).
The district heating sector in Europe is responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions, which not only affect climate change, but also heat prices and air quality. Local heat planning (LHP) is one of the key tools to develop economically viable and climate-neutral district heating transformation pathways at local level.
PRHyUS: Promoting Renewable Hydrogen Utilization for a Sustainable and Greener Europe
Many regions across Europe are developing hydrogen related strategies, but at the same time local industries and stakeholders have not found the conditions to make hydrogen a sustainable business for their production processes and infrastructure. Most of these regions are highly dependent on fossil fuels and their industrial sector is one of the main economic drivers and contributors to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Significant investments have already been made in the renewable hydrogen sectors, offering an integrated solution to meet the goals of a greener and more sustainable Europe. The challenge now lies in bolstering hydrogen demand for and use of hydrogen in different sectors to improve the deployment mechanisms, encourage wider uptake of hydrogen and overcome industrial sector boundaries.
PRHyUS aims to advance regional policy frameworks in Europe to support hydrogen demand, investment and use across different sectors and to facilitate the widespread deployment adoption of renewable hydrogen technologies. The project will contribute to the EU's goals of a “Greener Europe'' by facilitating greater knowledge of hydrogen technologies and seeking to contribute to a significant reduction in GHG emissions. In order to advance regional policy frameworks in Europe the PRHyUS consortium brings together policy and technical partners and drawing on their different experiences and areas of competence (public authorities, education and research institutions, clusters, NGOs), they will jointly improve 7 policy instruments to accelerate industrial decarbonisation and enhance renewable energy use through hydrogen.
TWINUP4CE: Improving Workforce Skills for the Twin Transition in Peripheral and Rural Central Europe
The aim of the project is to bridge skills gaps and enhance workforce readiness for the green and digital (twin) transition in peripheral and rural regions of Central Europe. To achieve this, the project establishes a multistakeholder participatory approach for workforce development through Regional Upskilling Management Alliances (RUMAs). Bringing together public authorities, VET providers, employers and workforce representatives, RUMAs align training initiatives with local development priorities and support the development of new strategies for workforce upskilling, reskilling and retention. The structure, management and operation of RUMAs are co-shaped and tested with the active involvement of real beneficiaries in all five project areas, with a strong focus on green and digital skills needed for the twin transition.
Integrating Climate Action into Municipal Budgets – Workshops under the OwnYourSECAP Project
Budgeting for municipal investments is a complex process that requires not only knowledge of funding sources and financial models but also the consideration of environmental and climate-related aspects. In response to the growing challenges of ecological transformation faced by local governments, climate mainstreaming is playing an increasingly significant role. This approach involves integrating climate issues directly into policy, planning, and municipal budget management. As a result, climate action becomes an integral component of investment decisions rather than a separate initiative running parallel to other strategies. To support the practical implementation of climate mainstreaming, the OwnYourSECAP project organized a series of online workshops on the topic.
Cities and Municipalities in the Green Energy Transformation Process – Polish nationwide /Jadwisin 2025 seminar
This year's seminar, held on May 15-16 in Jadwisin, brought together over 80 representatives of local governments, institutes, foundations, and associations from all over Poland. Its main theme was the role of cities and municipalities in the process of green energy transformation, with particular emphasis on the challenges and opportunities arising from European and national climate and energy policies. Opportunities and examples of using renewable energy sources (RES) and methods for increasing energy efficiency in heating systems and the construction sector were also addressed. Participants explored and discussed these issues during expert presentations, a panel discussion, and good practice sessions held in small-groups.
The seminar was opened by Artur Borkowski – Mayor of the City and Municipality of Serock, Leszek Drogosz – President of the Board of the Association of Municipalities Polish Network "Energie Cités" and Director of the Infrastructure Office of the City of Warsaw, and Anna Jaskuła – Director of the Association's office.
A. Borkowski emphasized the importance of cooperation and seeking common solutions in the context of climate challenges, while L. Drogosz encouraged the audience to continuously develop and share knowledge, pointing out that cooperation and conscious actions are key to achieving climate and energy goals.
