SOFIA, BULGARIA – The CEATY project, a climate and energy education initiative led by SOFENA (Sofia Energy Agency), was presented at the XVI National Conference of the Association of Bulgarian Energy Agencies (ABEA). Held on 27-29 Nov 2023, the conference provided a platform for SOFENA to highlight the project’s ambitious goals and innovative approach to empowering young people as “Clean Energy Ambassadors.”

CEATY, funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Commission, aims to contribute to the EU’s ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The project focuses on educating students aged 12 to 16 about energy consumption, energy savings, and renewable energy sources, fostering environmental awareness and equipping them to become advocates for sustainable practices.

Dr. Zdravko Georgiev presented the CEATY project to the ABEA members, emphasising its potential to inspire and educate future generations in the fight against climate change. By providing young people with the knowledge and skills to become Clean Energy Ambassadors, CEATY aims to create a ripple effect, extending its impact beyond the classroom and fostering a wider cultural shift towards sustainability.

The presentation generated significant interest among the ABEA members, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts and innovative educational initiatives in achieving the EU’s climate goals and building a greener future for all.

On November 28, 2023, during the second day of the ABEA Annual Conference, a seminar on the legal issues of energy communities in the countries of the European Community under the Lightness project was held at the Hemus Hotel in Sofia. The event was attended by over 70 participants – representatives of state and municipal authorities, energy experts, citizens and representatives of the non-governmental sector.

The seminar was opened by Eng. Ivaylo Alexiev, executive director of SEDA, who emphasized the recent changes in Bulgarian legislation regarding renewable energy sources and the prospects for the development of energy communities in the country based on established models in Europe.

Dr. Zdravko Georgiev from SEA SOFENA introduced the existing good practices and the results of the pilot initiatives under the Lightness project, presenting the first steps for the formation of energy communities for renewable energy in our country.

Dr. Nadia Nikolova-Deme from SEA SOFENA made a comparative analysis of the definitions of civil energy communities and renewable energy communities in the light of the changes in the Bulgarian legislation.

Good examples of tools to help citizens to create energy communities and collective models were presented by Dr. Maria Trifonova – coordinator of the Shares project, CHIEC, and Eng. Stanislav Andreev from EnEffect acquainted the participants with the launch of the activities for setting up an energy cooperative in the municipality of Gabrovo in the form of a public-private partnership.

The seminar ended with a fruitful discussion on the possibilities that the creation of energy communities opens up to support energy poor households and to provide their members with  own energy at low prices.

The third meeting of the “BECKON” project was held in the city of Sofia on November 14 and 15, 2023.

Among the main highlights of the working groups held within the meeting were the new tools developed within the project to promote the creation of energy communities in the cities of Sofia, Ávila and Copenhagen.

The One Stop Shop online platform offers a variety of models and good practices from Europe for the development of such communities.

There is a section with basic concepts and definitions, as well as a place for everyone to ask questions.

The platform offers the opportunity for virtual meetings between businesses and citizens and access to expert opinion of leading specialists in the field of energy and renewable energy communities, both at the national and European level.

Within the project, a set of training materials has been developed for anyone who decides to become part of an energy community.

Very soon, everything will be available on SOFENA website, as well as on the website of the online platform.