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Jūrmala, Latvia, 4 May 2026 – On 5-7 May, 200 community energy practitioners and experts from 30 different countries are meeting in Jūrmala, Latvia, for the European Energy Communities Forum 2026. Participants will share tools and insights to advance their renewable energy projects, and explore emerging challenges and opportunities across different sessions. The three-day event will be an opportunity to grow the energy democracy movement and unlock its full potential. 

The Forum is organised by REScoop.eu, the European federation of energy communities, and the Latvian Rural Forum, an organisation dedicated to strengthening rural communities and promoting civic participation in Latvia. Through this collaboration, the co-organisers aim to highlight the potential for community energy projects in rural areas. 

Mark Luntley, President of REScoop.eu explained, “European energy independence has never been more important. Instead of relying on polluting fossil fuels, REScoop.eu is supporting the development of networks of decentralised, locally-owned and democratically managed green energy generation. By putting citizens at the heart of Europe's energy transition, we will ensure lower prices, more public support, and a faster uptake of the clean energy system we all need.” 

The event’s keynote speaker, Kaspars Melnis, Minister for Climate and Energy of the Republic of Latvia, is set to speak on the opening day about the context of energy communities in the country.

The Forum also aims to support the development of energy communities in Latvia. The concept of energy communities is new in the country, and it was only in 2024 that the government adopted the Regulation No 808 (2024) "Regulations for the Registration and Operation of Energy Communities".  

"Energy communities in Latvia are still at an early stage, and rural areas are full of opportunities. We clearly see a growing willingness among rural residents to cooperate, take ownership, and develop local energy solutions – laying the foundation for resilient, community-driven energy systems," Ilvija Ašmane, Climate and Energy Expert of the Latvian Rural Forum, said. 

The Forum will also include the official launch of the second call for proposals of the European Energy Communities Facility, an initiative that aims to support at least 140 emerging energy communities across Europe through funding and capacity building. The call for proposals will offer 71 energy communities the opportunity to receive a €45,000 grant to develop a business plan for their project. 

The event is funded by the European Climate Foundation and supported by the Heinrich Böll Foundation, and the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU). 

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About REScoop.eu 

REScoop.eu is the European federation of energy communities, representing over 2,500 energy cooperatives and 2,000,000 European citizens building local solutions for a fair and democratic energy transition. 

 

About the Latvian Rural Forum 

The Latvian Rural Forum is a national umbrella organisation dedicated to strengthening rural communities and promoting civic participation in Latvia. 

 

Media & press inquiries - Europe 

Media & press inquiries - Latvia