Local community in energy planning as an awareness raiser on possible decrease of emissions
About this good practice
The energy community "Niemce Energy Cluster”, whose members include local governments, private entities and natural persons, is the results of the ENES-CE project. It organised and conducted ecological education meetings for the first time in the area.
Information and promotional meetings, aimed at raising awareness of the possibility of reducing low emissions and opting for air quality notification systems. The aim of the campaign was to strengthen social dialogue between local authorities and citizens. The successful dialogue was possible thanks to design workshops, as well as direct and indirect (online) contact with stakeholders, distribution of printed design materials, also regarding investments in renewable energy sources (RES) and energy efficiency (EE).
The emphasis was on increasing the awareness of its recipients about the possibilities of reducing low emissions in the commune (investments, behavior, options). Meetings lasted approximately 90 minutes, targeting residents (seniors, families, children or other stakeholders/entrepreneurs). An evaluation and satisfaction survey was administered at the end of the meeting.
As part of the pilot action, 3 meetings were organised, and the total number of stakeholders who took part in the pilot was 68.
In May 2022, after a successful pilot action and on the initiative of the cluster, another meeting was held with students of the Primary School in Niemce.
Resources needed
The 1st 3 educational workshops were covered by the ENESCE project pilot action (Interreg Central Europe 2014-2020),among others: catering and the external expert who ran the workshop. The Niemce Commune provided meeting rooms. In the case of a meeting at school, the cost was borne by the Commune.
Evidence of success
Educational meetings contributed to starting a discussion on renewable energy and increasing interest in the Cluster's activities, with 92 attendees in 4 meetings.
A survey was administered. 91% of respondents increased their knowledge about the possibilities of reducing low emissions, and 44% of survey respondents declared their willingness to join the Energy Cluster in the Niemce Commune to plan the sustainable energy development and implement investments in renewable energy.
Potential for learning or transfer
The conclusion drawn from the educational campaign is that involving citizens in energy planning (planning investments in renewable energy and EE and then implementing them) is a long process. It requires environmental education to raise awareness, transfer knowledge, demonstrate goals and opportunities, as well as explain economic, technical and environmental dependencies related to the implementation of jointly planned energy investments. It creates prospects for cooperation, dialogue, acceptance and determination of subsequent stages of activities and involvement of the local community related to investments in renewable energy.
By showing the first effects of joint work, it is possible to gain social trust among a wider group of residents and stakeholders and encourage them to cooperate in the future preparation of projects and the process of obtaining financial support for the implementation of investment activities in the renewables. This model is transferable to other contexts.
Good practice owner
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