Keywords: citizen energy, climate protection, energy efficiency and conservation, communication
Subject and goals of the project
In both Germany and the Czech Republic, the energy sector is still CO2-intensive and dependent on fossil fuels. The promotion of community energy projects is an important step towards an energy transition based on democratic principles and justice. With the newly founded association for citizen energy UKEN in the Czech Republic by both Czech project partners and the support of the Bündnis Bürgerenergie (BBEn) Germany, the aim is to support citizens and other stakeholders in the development of sustainable citizen energy projects that contribute to the reduction of CO2-emissions and air pollution, promote energy self-sufficiency, but also provide space for nature and are accepted by local communities. The aim is therefore to create a strong and vital market environment for citizen energy projects in the Czech Republic and to improve consulting and coaching services for citizen energy communities in Germany.
On the one hand, the aim is to draw on experience from Germany in order to help establish the new association in the Czech Republic. In addition, advisory and coaching services are to be developed that are available to interested parties and implemented together with model municipalities. Five work packages are planned in detail:
- Advice to UKEN from BBEn on membership recruitment and management strategy
- Analysis of the specific legal and financial framework conditions for energy communities in Germany and the development of corresponding recommendations for political decision-makers in the Czech Republic,
- Derivation of recommendations and joint positions for decision-makers in the Czech Republic (in cooperation with the Czech partners),
- active participation of UKEN representatives in relevant political working groups,
- Organizing events for decision-makers and stakeholders in the Czech Republic together with representatives from Germany, conducting webinars/seminars/conferences/innovative interactive events and providing a regular online newsletter for members and the interested public,
- Development of consulting and coaching offers for the implementation of the pilot coaching with two energy communities from the Czech Republic and three energy communities from Germany, preferably with energy municipalities,
- Development of best practice manuals and implementation of workshops and webinars, including for cross-border exchange with the Czech Republic.
Innovation and exemplary nature of the project
- The aim is to create favorable conditions for municipal energy projects in the Czech Republic inspired by the examples from Germany. It is planned to actively communicate in various areas of work as part of the cooperation between the project partners and the UKEN association in order to ensure effective implementation of the EU regulations for community energy projects and to create a market environment in which community energy projects are not disadvantaged. It is also important to identify obstacles and initiate debates on how to overcome them. If this succeeds, it will be possible to create a good basis for decentralized and democratic citizen energy projects in the Czech Republic.
- The UKEN and BBEn associations as innovative civil society organizations are supported by Hnutí DUHA and the Frank Bold Society as two NGOs that include Czech municipalities, energy experts, decision-makers in citizen energy projects and companies. The common goal is the implementation of democratic principles in decision-making and the creation of appropriate market conditions through cooperation in the preparation of opinions.
- The close cooperation between the Czech Republic and Germany on citizen energy concepts is an innovative opportunity to facilitate not only cross-border exchange, but also potentially cross-border projects in the field of renewable energies.
Special aspects of the project
The project primarily aims to strengthen the position of the newly founded association for community energy UKEN and to further develop its membership base and activities through intensive cooperation with the German partner BBEn and the sharing of experience with German energy communities. By strengthening the position and relevance of UKEN, it is expected that obstacles to community energy projects in the Czech Republic will be overcome and public interest in community energy projects will be increased. Municipalities, households (citizens) and SMEs are motivated to set up and participate in energy communities.
Funding theme 6: Renewable energy, energy saving and efficiency
Project Implementation:
Places of work: Germany and the Czech Republic
Funding period: January 2023 to December 2025
Project costs: Total volume: 499,667 euros, funding from DBU: 249,833 euros
DBU-AZ: 38301
Status: 26.10.2023
Cover picture: © Frank Bold Society