EnergyPROSPECTS, together with three sister Horizon 2020 projects dedicated to the exploration of energy citizenship, organised the "Energy Citizenship in the making" event, which took place in Brussels on the 5th of March, 2024. The event was designed with the objective of looking into the contributions of energy citizenship towards realizing a more inclusive, democratic, and environmentally sustainable Green Deal, drawing upon the collective research and findings of the four collaborating projects. Attracting a diverse group of over 50 participants, the event brought together scholars, policymakers from various levels of the European Union and its Member States, and representatives from civil society. On of the aspects of the gathering was the discussion centered around a jpint policy brief recently published by the consortium of projects. This brief advocates for a more expansive understanding of the role of citizens within the European energy transition, urging a shift in perspective beyond traditional views of individuals merely as consumers, prosumers, or members of energy communities.
Throughout the collaborative efforts of these projects, an impressive total of around 32,000 citizens have actively participated in a broad array of activities aimed at researching and building capacity around the concept of energy citizenship. These activities encompassed interviews, surveys, workshops, case studies, co-creative endeavors, as well as various educational and training initiatives. The policy brief serves as a culmination of these efforts, synthesizing the diverse knowledge, perspectives, and experiences of the involved citizens. It presents a series of concrete pathways and recommendations for policymakers, with a primary focus on those at the European Union level, though the insights contained within are also of potential relevance to Member States, regional, and local authorities. The document underscores the importance of integrating the voices and experiences of citizens in shaping policies that not only address the technical aspects of the energy transition but also its social, cultural, and democratic dimensions.
