EUSEW2025: Unlocking the potential of energy communities to empower citizens for an inclusive transition

The session will explore the role of energy communities in engaging citizens in the energy transition, with good practices from across Europe.

European policy priorities for energy communities will be covered by policymakers from DG ENER and DG REGIO, presenting their work on energy communities and initiatives like the Citizen Energy Advisory Hub, Energy Communities Facility, and communities at a European level.

European Climate Pact Ambassadors and Partners leading energy communities will present their experiences. The session will raise awareness on energy communities, facilitate connections among attendees to develop new energy communities, and explore the potential of energy communities as key communicators to engage citizens and consumers in the energy transition.

Speakers:

Delia Bonsignore: Programme Manager for Interreg programmes (cross-border cooperation, EU internal borders) at DG Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission.

Katharina Hartmann: Policy Assistant at DG ENER, working on a just transition and energy communities.

Miguel Macias Sequeira: EU Climate Pact Ambassador in Portugal. He is the executive coordinator of the Telheiras/Lumiar Renewable Energy Community promoted by the Local Partnership of Telheiras and the Lumiar Civil Parish in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ana Belén Cristobal López: EU Climate Pact Ambassador in Spain. Coordinator of EU-LIFE-JALON Project.

Aurore Dudka: EU Climate Pact Ambassador in Italy. PhD Researcher at the University of Trento, she studies themes related to democracy, justice, and the involvement of women in the energy sector.

Moderator:

Marine Cornelis: EU Climate Pact Ambassador in France. Founder of Next Energy Consumer and the Energ’ Ethic podcast.