Keywords: citizen energy, climate protection, resource conservation, communication, participation
Subject and goals of the project
The project aimed to further develop community energy as part of a sustainable energy transition in Germany that is also supported by civil society and to implement community energy projects in the Czech Republic. In Germany, the focus was particularly on the development of new business models for community energy projects. In this context, the focus was on the implementation of training events, the creation of environment analyses and the communication of examples of good practice, among other things. In the Czech Republic, on the other hand, the measures were primarily aimed at creating favorable conditions for community energy projects. In the Czech Republic, information materials on the topic were developed, analyses and studies on the potential of community energy projects were prepared, information packages, newsletters and information events were provided for interested citizens and specialist journalists, and advisory services were offered for experts and decision-makers at municipal level.
In total, the project reached around 100,000 people on both the Czech and German sides through information events, workshops, public discussions, publications, electronic media and social networks. In addition, the communication formats used succeeded in reaching more than 250 experts in the Czech Republic and Germany.
The following measures were implemented in Germany:
The following measures were implemented in the Czech Republic:
Innovation and exemplary nature of the project
The communicative measures in Germany were used to convey the new legal framework, marketing options and opportunities for energy communities and to provide an overview of the status and future potential of community energy in terms of the nationwide development of decentralized producer-consumer communities. A number of different formats were used to inform the public about the importance and challenges of energy companies and other citizen energy communities. The important aspect of civil society participation opportunities was emphasized in a series of communicative formats. This has helped to promote acceptance for a comprehensive energy transition, which is essential for achieving a full supply from renewables.
In the Czech Republic, the project aimed to take a completely new approach to implementing the energy transition. The focus was particularly on projects in the field of renewable energy sources that are initiated by municipalities and citizens. The project also pursued the goal of rehabilitating the concept of communities and giving it a new innovative meaning. The advantages in terms of existing participation opportunities and socially responsible management were particularly emphasized.
The choice of communication tools and the sophisticated way in which they were used were also innovative. The combination of online communication tools (social networks, microwebsites, websites, e-mail marketing) with traditional media and online advertising increased the effectiveness of communication with the target groups.
Special aspects of the project
The project also has an important aspect of social innovation: it reached target groups (including via social media) that are open to participation, sharing concepts and social entrepreneurship and are used to using virtual space. The project was able to promote the establishment of energy communities in real space. Such communities have the potential to have a special impact on their environment and to arouse the interest of other citizens in the topic.
Funding theme 6: Renewable energy, energy saving and efficiency
Project Implementation:
Places of work: Germany and the Czech Republic
Funding period: July 2018 to July 2022
Project costs: Total volume: 506,952 euros, funding from DBU: 253,475 euros
DBU-AZ: 34050
Status: 26.10.2023
Cover picture: © Hnuti DUHA