Green Partnerships Local Partnerships for Greener Cities and Regions 3 rd meeting Freiburg, 16 October 2013 Stavroula Tournaki Cristina Brebou Assoc. Prof. Theocharis Tsoutsos WP4: Capacity building and knowledge transfer for public bodies in MED cities and regions

2 WP4 Objectives Freiburg October, 2013 To assess needs of the employees in public bodies, in local level Increase knowledge, awareness and capacity of public authorities in the Green partnerships municipalities and regions Assist the preparation of the local step-by-step plans and enable effective implementation of local energy strategies Sustain the project outcomes through training materials, reports and recommendations

3 Freiburg October, 2013 Activity 4.1 Preparation of local step by step plans for capacity building and pilot activities Approach: Form of LAGs to enhance cooperation between stakeholders influencing energy efficiency and use of RES: Decision makers Public authorities Technicians involved in energy management (technology/product providers) other key stakeholders (i.e. Chambers, consumer associations) WP4 Planned activities-1 Experts will support LAGs work LAGs will prepare plans and test measures in local activities

4 Freiburg October, 2013 WP4 Planned activities-2 Activity 4.2 Capacity building and knowledge transfer for public bodies Approach: Targeted workshops focused on the needs of employees, taken into account the identified (activity 3.1) obstacles Materials prepared by Expert Working Groups (formed in WP3; based on WP3 methods but customised to regional/local needs and specific conditions Appropriate practical materials to aid participants memorise the key principles Assure availability and sustainability of materials

5 Freiburg October, 2013 WP4 Planned activities-3 Activity 4.3 Improvement of the local energy strategies based on the pilot testing of the new approach Improve energy strategies from gained knowledge Increased competences will enable more effective implementation of energy strategies and SEAPs Assure sustainability of project outcomes in local communities

6 Freiburg October, 2013 Local action groups (LAG) in pilot areas (11) Local step-by-step plans for capacity building and implementation of measures (11) Organisation of workshops targeted to LAG, public authorities and key stakeholders (22) Adapt the training materials proposed by EWG for workshops Improved existing local energy strategy (or developed if not existing) Report the implementation of the local energy strategies (11) WP4 Outputs

7 Freiburg October, 2013 WP4 and WP3 Activity 4.1 is directly related to 3.1 (3.1 form the basis for 4.1) Activity 4.2 will use materials developed in 3.2 by EWG for the capacity building workshops (customise materials according the local conditions and needs) WP4 and WP5 On the basis of the plan prepared by LAG in A4.1, local partnerships will be formed in A5.1 WP4 Interactions with other WP’s

Green Partnerships Local Partnerships for Greener Cities and Regions 3 rd meeting Freiburg, 16 October 2013 LOCAL ACTION GROUPS FORMULATION

9 Freiburg October, 2013 Why a LAG? Involvement (and consensus) of local stakeholders is critical for successful implementation of sustainable energy projects at local level More transparent policy ‐ making; allow authorities to build on trust and confidence Decisions taken together with involved stakeholders are based on more extensive knowledge; under development project may get stronger support/gain expertise Broad consensus improves the quality, acceptance, effectiveness and legitimacy of a project Strengthen the role of different actors using a “bottom ‐ up” approach involving: The public sector Consumers Energy providers

10 LAG’s OBJECTIVES Freiburg October, 2013 To provide knowledge, expertise, support to the pilot projects implementation To increase knowledge, awareness and capacity of key actors and employees in public authorities To form a long ‐ term basis for better cohesion at the local level that will last even after the completion of the project by: Increasing the capacity of the decision makers Bringing together decision makers, owners (of land, public buildings), suppliers, employees, end users and citizens

11 LAG’s OBJECTIVES Freiburg October, 2013 To promote effective renewable energy and energy efficiency planed reduction of GHG emissions To support the authorities to claim and get funding for the preparation of concrete actions towards 2020 targets To contribute to the achievement of the national obligations towards the EU 2020 targets, creating economic benefits for the local area

12 SXIMA Indicative Stakeholders Freiburg October, 2013

13 Identification of energy plan priorities-development of projects to match the local needs Contribute to the preparation of local step ‐ by ‐ step plans- technical solutions for the realization of the pilots - support their implementation Support the capacity building activities in municipal level Role of LAG’s 1/2 Freiburg October, 2013

14 Identification of efficient ways/tools to increase public awareness and the dissemination of the projects’ outcomes (local team of volunteers?) Monitoring and assessment of the progress of the pilots; the capitalization of project results Contribute to the improvement of local energy strategy Freiburg October, 2013 Role of LAG’s 2/2

15 Local Energy Strategy – Identify important parameters Priorities and existing local potentials; tailor the priorities to the local needs Fit solutions for the local community, its needs, citizens Obstacles hindering the efficient implementation of the identified projects Discussion Topics Indicative Freiburg October, 2013

16 Freiburg October, 2013 Propose and prepare suitable workshops/capacity building for the municipality technical staff/employees Technical solutions for future investments Funding opportunities and other financial issues - the most important topic for discussion - solutions that can be partly, if not 100%, self funded Discussion Topics Indicative

Green Partnerships Local Partnerships for Greener Cities and Regions 3 rd meeting Freiburg, 16 October 2013 CURRENT STATUS OF LOCAL ACTION GROUPS

18 Freiburg October, 2013 LOCAL ACTION GROUPS Feed back from partners received till now: CountryLAG’s Formation LAG’s 1 st meeting1 st meeting minutes Albania √√√ Montenegro √√√ Bosnia √ X (30 Oct) X Croatia √ XX Cyprus √√√ France √√√? Greece √√√ Italy √ X (Nov 2013) X Portugal √XX Slovenia √√√? Spain √ √? 14/10X

19 8 NGO’s 20 Local/regional Authorities 12 Public institutions/Organizations 6 Companies 5 Ministries 4 Citizen Groups 10 Chambers/professional associations 2 Financial Institutions/ESCos 8 Energy Development Agencies 121 LAG members 11 LAG’s 82 Organizations LAG’s in numbers….

20 Freiburg October, 2013 LAG’s FORMATION Feed back from partners received till now: TOTAL STAKEHPOLDERS INVOLVED

21 Freiburg October, 2013 Brief presentation of the Green Partnerships Project- Basic goals emphasizing on the outcome for the local society Identify: LAG’s 1 st Meeting - Objectives Priorities Main obstacles-Possible solutions Funding Options Discussion- Suggestions in order to achieve best possible LAG function

Green Partnerships Local Partnerships for Greener Cities and Regions 3 rd meeting Freiburg, 16 October st LAG Meetings Results

23 Freiburg October, 2013 Albania 12th September 2013 The need for the establishment of LAG The situation of energy sector in the region The need for local energy strategy The existing local potentials The priorities to the local needs Key Discussion Topics : Solutions that would work for the local community Obstacles for the efficient implementation of the projects

24 LAG’s should consist of: Ensure women participation at a decision –making level LAG meetings at least once a month Results/Priorities Freiburg October, 2013 Economic and social partners At least 50% representatives of the civil society (farmers, rural women, young people and their associations) Minimum of 20% shall be representatives of the local authorities

25 Freiburg October, 2013 Cyprus 19th September 2013 SEAP Biomass & photovoltaics Legislation Funding Capacity building Strategy Key Discussion Topics:

26 Methodology in developing the SEAPs explained Green Partnerships already a success for Lakatamia as it has brought funding for SEAP Strict rules in Cyprus on CO2 emissions from burning biomass seriously compromise the selection of technology Writing document references -useful contacts concerning Cyprus emissions trading Consider to give pellets to citizens who collect and litter their green waste to allocated spaces. All possible technologies studied before going ahead with the pilot action Next meeting for the Local Action Group will be in January 2014 Results/Priorities Freiburg October, 2013

27 Freiburg October, 2013 Greece 9th October 2013 The Green Partnerships project, outcomes and impacts/benefits for the Municipality LAG operation and other potential members Municipality SEAP priority actions Key Discussion Topics : Pilot Projects to be implemented at the municipal area Funding opportunities to support the investments for the pilot projects implementation

28 Identify LAG members main body and “additions” for each different pilot case Initial discussion about the capacity building workshop, needs/subjects Technical Services staff has committed to present the main areas of interest for training of their staff. A specific work meeting with the Municipal Enterprise of Water and Sewage of Rethymno planned - further discuss technical details and alternative solutions Key priority for the success of the sustainable planning in local level- the need of the citizen’s behavior change Results/Priorities Freiburg October, 2013

29 Freiburg October, 2013 Montenegro 2nd September 2013 Energy Policies and legislation Market launch of modern renewable wood energy in Montenegro Construction of small hydro power plants: potentials and threats Climate changes, raising awareness among society Key Discussion Topics:

30 Results/Priorities Significant energy and financial savings with a relatively small investment by: Higher involvement of NGOs and educational institutions regarding the environment and sustainable energy potentials Freiburg October, 2013 A better choice of technical equipment and energy Better organization Improved quality

31 Freiburg October, 2013 Promotional Event : Slovenia 27th September 2013 Important for decision making process and awareness rising About 150 participants attended Promotional material distributed(new approaches, technologies etc.) Quiz game on the topic wood biomass: The question for the prize (5 x 15 kg wood) was how much wood substitutes 1L oil? Result: 70

32 Freiburg October, 2013 France 19th August 2013 Progress report on the hydroelectric project feasibility study. Progress report on the project financing Progress report on the planning of the hydropower plant project Key Discussion Topics :

33 Freiburg October, 2013 Spain 14th October 2013 pending Key Discussion Topics :

Green Partnerships Local Partnerships for Greener Cities and Regions 3 rd meeting Freiburg, 16 October 2013 NEXT STEPS

35 Freiburg October, 2013 WP4 Next Steps: Pending LAG meetings to be implemented till beginning of November. Minutes and reporting material from the LAGs of Croatia, Bosnia, Portugal and Spain to be send before the Nov 8 th (Italy not later than the Nov15 th ). Integrated report for 11 LAG’s formulation to be developed till Nov 25 th (TUC), having received the contribution from partners TUC will sent proposal about capacity workshops duration, contents, structure and format of appropriate material to be delivered by the EWGs at Nov 30th Workshops should be planned between March –June 2014, having received the suggested training materials from EWGs (WP3)

36 Freiburg October, 2013 Thank you!