The European Citizen Energy Academy (EUCENA) has just published a new best practices guide, which showcases examples of inspiring community energy initiatives in the Balkan region where people take action to improve their conditions and the wellbeing of their communities.

The goal of this publication is to illustrate good practices of energy communities in the region, to inspire other citizens to launch their own citizen energy communities, following the steps of - and reaching out for support to the frontrunning initiatives.

EUCENA Balkan Guide

From energy communities engaging in biofuels or solar PV and involving vulnerable households, to a women's cooperative, to pioneers bringing together a large variety of stakeholders, citizens in the Balkan region have started testing renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and adapting the concept of community energy in their context, improving in this way their local environment and livelihoods.

The guide covers topics such as stakeholder engagement, policy advocacy, partnerships and networks, financing, and showcases examples of different activities energy communities in the region engage in. It includes examples from Albania, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo and Romania.

The guide further touches on how citizens in the Balkan region can build a regional community energy network strengthening the European community energy wave and reversing what has come to be known as “balkanisation”.