Regions and cities are at the forefront of sustainable energy roll-out in Europe. Through engaging and committing to initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors and the Compact of Mayors, cities across Europe are showing leadership in fostering sustainable development, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and driving the low-carbon economy agenda.

At the same time, local authorities are facing the urgent socio-economical challenge to ensure secure, sustainable, affordable and competitive energy for their communities. The Energy Union and the development of a single energy market aims to address the current challenges of the integration of variable renewable energy, and security of supply. Local authorities are ideally positioned to facilitate the roll-out of policies and planning for the energy transition at local level, while supporting consumers to better participate in markets.

Often a lack of technical and financial capacity, and of a clear legal framework, hinders local authorities from fully engaging and creating local added-value for their communities. This event aims to share solutions and inspiration, and provide insight into communities' increasingly important role in sustainable energy. The event will discuss how to spur low carbon investments to implement climate policies, as well as the generating of local employment through utilising Structural and Cohesion Funds and innovative financing models involving citizens and business participation. The debate will address how regional-local value chains can support sustainable development and job creation through decentralised approaches and participatory finance.

The event will be followed by one and a half hour of networking session during which the Mayors in Action and 50000&1SEAPs projects will present best practices. A sitting area will provide the opportunity to network and discuss.

To register for the event, visit the Open Days website at the link below. Registration will remain open until 28 September.

More information can be found in the event programme, which can be downloaded below.