Cross-Partnership Exchange on the Energy Transition - Second Meeting

Following an initial cross-partnership exchange in November 2025 as part of the project „Energy Transition Town Twinnings 3.0“, representatives from several European municipalities and organizations met again on December 16 to continue the discussion on energy transition and EU-funded project opportunities. This follow-up meeting welcomed both returning and new participants, providing a broader perspective on ongoing initiatives and future collaboration. Participants included Peter Pfeifer from Stuttgart, Asima Džambegović from Goražde (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Michael Haufe from Greifswald, Kieran Cunnane from Galway (Ireland), Iryna Semenenko from Novovolynsk (Ukraine), Marco Bloch from Hoyerswerda and Evgheni Camenscic from GIZ Moldova.

The session began with brief introductions of new municipalities, followed by an overview of ongoing projects and discussions on opportunities for future cooperation within EU funding frameworks such as LIFE and Horizon Europe. EU projects were highlighted as a valuable instrument for municipalities, offering access to international expertise and long-term partnerships that are often difficult to achieve locally. They also provide opportunities to test innovative approaches in pilot settings, share best practices, and scale successful solutions across regions.

Several potential project approaches were discussed, including awareness-raising communication campaigns, decentralized energy systems to enhance energy security, and second-life solutions for wind turbines, photovoltaic systems, and batteries to secure materials and reintegrate them into the circular economy. Further topics included anergy networks and the empowerment of skilled workers, identified as a key factor for implementing technical solutions on the ground.

Participants shared insights from their local contexts across renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, and urban planning. Kieran Cunnane presented experiences from Ireland, including Horizon projects such as NetZero Cities , community-based energy initiatives, and challenges with centralized electricity markets. Michael Haufe highlighted projects on sustainable urban mobility, nature-based solutions, and photovoltaic installations on municipal properties. Iryna Semenenko emphasized the importance of finding reliable partners, renovating housing, and advancing solar energy projects under the difficult conditions in Ukraine. Peter Pfeifer outlined Stuttgart’s challenges in transitioning to renewable heat, noting that roughly half of buildings can adopt heat pumps while the rest rely on district heating, and highlighted the city’s car-centric mobility. Evgheni Camenscic described Moldova’s situation, where heat pumps are largely impractical, district heating is mostly gas-based, and efforts are underway to establish local energy agencies to support citizens and project development.

Another discussion focused on EU funding programmes. The LIFE programme was described as particularly suited for pilot and demonstration projects in climate action, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and nature-based solutions, with a strong emphasis on practical implementation. Horizon Europe, on the other hand, supports technological development, testing, and systemic solutions, such as climate-neutral cities. Upcoming calls in both programmes, starting in spring, were seen as concrete opportunities for joint project development.

Workforce shortages emerged as a cross-cutting challenge. Participants highlighted the lack of qualified installers, planners, and managers for renewable energy systems, building retrofits, and mobility projects. Possible solutions discussed included training programmes, cooperation with universities, awareness-raising for technical professions, and attracting skilled workers from abroad.

The meeting concluded with a shared understanding that EU projects can act as a catalyst for the local energy transition, providing funding, structure, and a platform for cooperation. Early partnership building, clear project ideas, and the combination of technical solutions with awareness and capacity building were identified as key success factors for future LIFE and Horizon proposals.

As a follow-up after the meeting, the participants voted on potential thematic focusses for a future joint project, marking the first step toward turning discussions into a concrete EU project initiative.