Urban Advisory Group at Alba Iulia Municipality

By project ShareRES

Published on 07 March 2024

Romania

Centru

Alba Iulia

About this good practice

The Urban Advisory Group (UAG) is a structure created by Alba Iulia Municipality to establish the connection with the local community, to take over the need related to the field of energy efficiency, but also the innovative ideas coming from the community.By setting up this formal group, the conditions have been created to bring together the relevant actors, specialists in energy, construction and sustainability, together with the responsible local authorities. They are actively consulted during the implementation of the strategy and are even involved in the processes of elaboration and submission of energy efficiency projects.
Taking into account their own professional knowledge and experience, the members of the group were involved in shaping a vision for the city in terms of energy efficiency, in line with the strategic directions set out in the Regional Operational Programme for the Central Region for the period 2021-2027. Members of the Urban Advisory Group actively participate in the elaboration and submission of projects focused on different aspects of the city life. In order to consult UAG, the Municipality use dedicated whatsapp groups, a digital instrument for public questionnaires(Community Barometer), in person meetings.
The main stakeholders and also beneficiaries of the practice are: city residents, public institutions and authorities, academic institutions, research organisations, administrative entities of business support structures.

Resources needed

The creation and collaboration with UAG did not require financial resources, being carried out through a collective effort of AIM employees (about 30 staff) and the community, bringing together over 80 entities divided into 5 strategic areas, totaling over 100 people.

Evidence of success

As a result of the UAG, projects are shaped and implemented in Alba Iulia, as: Photovoltaic Park- energy for the own consumption of 6 public buildings and for the public lighting system, project financed through Large Infrastructure Program, "GREENER”, financed by the EEA and Norwegian Grants 2014-2021, with Alba Iulia Municipality, as Project Promoter, in partnership with the Local Energy Association Alba, Norsk Energy, and the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca during Feb 2023 – Jan 2024.

Potential for learning or transfer

The consultative group is a way for citizens to be directly involved in the process of identifying needs and problems at local level, as well as in setting priorities for the Municipality of Alba Iulia. The input of UAG has influenced the quality and accuracy of the information included in the Integrated Strategy Of Urban Development of Alba Iulia. It is also an effective communication tool through which the local administration encourages the members of the group to identify projects of interest for promoting energetic efficient communities in Alba Iulia.