Fostering local engagement for Clean Energy Transition in Rural Areas through Energy Communities

Introduction

The central idea of EC4RURAL is to change the paradigm of local relations to boost Energy Communities in rural municipalities, which in Europe, despite their wealth of resources, are in a disadvantaged situation. Rural areas are experiencing shrinking populations, less access to basic services and employment, which often translates into energy poverty for their inhabitants due to the current high energy prices.

Objectives

EC4RURAL will help to deepen and transform the relationships between local and regional authorities and Local Action Groups to contribute to the Clean Energy Transition (CET) in Europe. The project aims to ensure the participation of all stakeholders, making sure they are not left behind.

Key Goals

1. Enable citizens and local actors to be part of or benefit from the CET processes led by Rural Energy Communities.
2. Promote renewable energy production and the sale of surplus energy.
3. Facilitate increased dialogue and joint investment by public and private actors, as established by the European Green Deal.

Contribution to Policies

EC4RURAL will also contribute to rural development within the new Common Agricultural Policy, as well as to the European Rural Pact and the Territorial Cohesion Policy.

Implementation Strategy

EC4RURAL will implement this new paradigm shift through two pilots in Estonia and Spain, with a total of 34 case studies in different rural municipalities. The aim is to sow the seed of replicability, not only in the participating regions but also at the European level, through the communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities of the network of external partners and collaborators.