In this research, supported by the European project ENTRACK (EU’s LIFE CET programme) [1] we are addressing this gap by examining the main knowledge and skills deficiencies of local authorities to support the co-creation of socially just energy plans that respond to the real energy needs of regions and populations, including vulnerable citizens, while aligning with both European and national energy policy frameworks. The project brings together technical partners, including universities and companies, with local authorities and energy agencies in rural areas of Southern Europe.
Concretely, ENTRACK is developing a process of stakeholder integration and capacity building in eight rural municipalities across four Mediterranean countries: two in Greece (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace), two in Italy (Campania), two in Portugal (Alto Alentejo), and two in Spain (Catalonia-Pyrenees). The primary objective is to facilitate the co-creation of energy plans while providing practical policy development processes that can be replicated in other rural areas of Southern Europe.
After a diagnosis and mapping exercise of social/energy/climate policies and plans from the EU to the local level, which presents a comprehensive visual representation of around 40 interconnected policies [2]. These complex policy networks highlight the growing effort to develop cross-sectoral policies in energy, social, environmental, and climate domains. The taxonomy maps demonstrate how policies can work in synergy to achieve common goals, including a socially just and inclusive energy transition. Another step of the research covers the design and implementation of different pathways of engagement in rural areas [3] of the four countries that include i) ethnographic interviews with citizens [4]; ii) exploratory interviews with stakeholders; iii) policies self-assessment exercises with policymakers; iv) running a national Community of Practice; and v) supporting a Municipality Regional Partnership