Discover local learning communities’ practices, the challenges to set up energy communities and how a multi-level governance approach can help to shape better cities.
This City Lab is co-organised by URBACT and the European Urban Initiative. This event will take place from the morning of 23 November, until the afternoon of the following day. Hosted in Viladecans, a Spanish city that is 20 minutes away from the centre of Barcelona by public transportation, participants will be welcome from all over Europe and live translation Spanish-English will be provided.
Under the VILAWATT Urban Initiative Actions’ project, the municipality of Viladecans had the exquisite opportunity to develop an energy citywide strategy, as well as to explore alternatives for citizen engagement and retrofitting buildings. With the URBACT Transfer Mechanism pilot, the city could further refine actions, while learning and exchanging with three project partners. The work of this network also reflected on the possible ways to implement the European Commission's Clean Energy for All Europeans Package (2020), which recognises the rights of citizens and communities to engage directly in the energy sector.
Come hear from the Viladecans' voices and many other cities on how to take the leap towards the energy transition!
23 November - DAY 1
Timing (CEST) Session and activities 9.00 Welcome breakfast 9.30Plugging in: introduction by the municipality of Viladecans, URBACT and EUI
_Jordi Mazon, Viladecans' Deputy Mayor
_Jenny Koutsomarkou, URBACT
Switching on the EU light: keynote speech about the context at EU level
_Ganna Gladkykh, European Energy Research Alliance
11.45
Good Practices across Europe: understanding how different levels have different roles to play
_Nuri Palmada, Som Energia and REScoop.EU Board Member
_Miklós Bárczi, Express Innovation Agency (HU)
_Harry Kalliaras, Advisor to the Mayor of Trikala (EL)
_Joaquín Villar, Junta de Andalucia (ES)
_Fernando Gonzalez, Getafe Ayuntamiento (ES)
_Vilawatt office and district
_Placa Europa municipal market
_Enxaneta School
_Municipal library
24 November - DAY 2
Timing (CEST) Session and activities 9.30 Re-plugging in: city study visits' debrief 9.45 Sharing and learning communities: untapping the potential of citizen engagement 10.15Break out groups on how to face challenges
_Getting people on board: how to motivate sceptical citizens and politicians
_Setting up energy communities: how to create successful communities
_Ensuring a just transition: how to tackle energy poverty
_Finding green funds: how to finance renewable energy projects
11.10 Coffee break 11.30 Setting the path ahead: plenary session for future priority identification 12.30 Wrap up and upcoming opportunities_Amélie Cousin, European Urban Initiative
12.45 Farewell lunch
The sessions for the EU City Lab are subject of change and speakers will be confirmed on the upcoming days. Seats are limited and registrations will be approved on a first come first served basis.
