An international conference entitled “Pathways to Effective Energy and Climate Planning: Regional Leadership and Innovation in Central and Eastern Europe,” organized by the Association for Sustainable Development (DOOR) in cooperation with partners from the European consortium of the CEESEU DIGIT project, took place in Zagreb on May 7, 2025. The event, dedicated to energy transition, brought together over 100 representatives of local and regional governments, academia, and non-governmental organizations.
The conference was opened by Miljenka Kuhar, Executive Director of DOOR. Elis Vollmer from the University of Tartu in Estonia then summarized the main objectives of the two-year CEESEU DIGIT project and its contribution to the preparation of new regional Energy and Climate Action Plans (ECAP) in six target areas of Central and Eastern Europe.
Ewa Szulc from the Mazovian Energy Agency was the next speaker, presenting best practices in the development of ECAPs within the framework of the aforementioned project. In her presentation, she emphasized the importance of participatory planning, intergovernmental cooperation, and inclusive stakeholder engagement, with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups and the problem of energy poverty.
Later in the conference, Katarzyna Brawiak from the Polish Network of Municipalities “Energie Cités” presented her experiences with the implementation of the OwnYourSECAP project. Participants had the opportunity to learn how the project supported European municipalities in energy and climate planning, using tools such as the ISO 50001 energy management system, climate budgeting, and the engagement of key stakeholders through the Design Thinking method. 
The speaker emphasized that the activities undertaken as part of the OwnYourSECAP project can be successfully replicated in other EU regions thanks to a set of open materials and good practices available on the project platform. As an example of successful replication, she pointed to the city of Prelog in Croatia, which was one of the replication municipalities outside the partner countries and, thanks to the technical support of the project, implemented OwnYourSECAP tools adapted to local needs.
Another presentation concerned the participatory budget of Mazovia as an example of good practice in civic engagement at the regional level. Anna Wieczorek from the Think Tank Miasto Foundation presented the legal framework and principles underlying participatory budgeting, how participatory procedures are designed and implemented by local and regional authorities, and methods for effective stakeholder analysis.
Before the break, Antun Pfeifer from the University of Zagreb also spoke, introducing participants to the LOGREENER project. This initiative offers a comprehensive set of tools to support local energy planning, from training to individual expert support. The solutions presented can provide a solid technical basis for the development of local strategic documents, such as Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAP).
Two discussion panels were held during the conference. In the first one, representatives of institutions from Croatia, Latvia, and Slovenia debated methods of involving vulnerable groups and people affected by energy poverty in energy and climate planning processes. It was emphasized that one solution is to create “one-stop-shops” – local centers where citizens can obtain comprehensive information on energy poverty, building renovation, and available sources of financing.
The second panel was devoted to the national perspective and brought together representatives of ministries from Croatia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia. The discussion focused on linking national strategic documents, such as the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), with actions taken at the local and regional levels. Participants highlighted the need for two-way communication between central government and local authorities, the development of financial support systems, and the need for rapid and transparent transposition of EU directives into national law, which would enable more efficient implementation of policies in practice.
Both expert presentations and discussion panels confirmed that effective energy and climate planning requires cooperation at many levels – from local communities, through local government units, to central government. It is crucial to create a transparent legal and financial framework that will enable a fair and realistic energy transition in Central and Eastern Europe.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s LIFE+ funding instrument for the environment and climate action under grant agreement no 101077109.
