ManagEnergy Workshop on Energy Communities

Energy Communities are powerful drivers for a clean energy system in which citizens play a key part. Energy agencies have a critical role in unlocking the full potential of this new instrument.

To support them in this mission, ManagEnergy is organising a Workshop on Energy Communities on 25 February 2026 in Wels, Austria, in the framework of the World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED).

The workshop will present key strategies and successful examples for advancing Energy Communities in cities and regions and for increasing citizens’ involvement. Key topics include the policy framework, financing, boosting citizens' participation, One Stop Shops, and the interaction with DSOs. These topics will be addressed through two parts of the workshop, called “Energy Communities: a driving force for the energy transition” and “Beyond Theory: Success stories from Energy Communities across Europe”.

Energy Communities: a driving force for the energy transition

During this first part of the workshop, participants will learn about policy frameworks, financing tools and strategies, programmes, and digital innovations that can support energy communities. The presentation topics and speakers are scheduled to include:  

• EU policies on Energy Communities - Alejandro Ulzurrun De Asanza Y Munoz, European Commission, DG Energy
• Energy Communities are here to stay! – Christiane Egger, OÖ Energiesparverband, Austria
• Highlights and lessons from EU-funded Energy Community projects – Talía Brun Marcen, European Commission, CINEA
• Unlocking finance for energy communities – Felix Kriedemann, REScoop.eu
• Interacting with DSOs – Harald Proidl, e-control, Austria
• Blockchain for Energy Communities – Francisco Puente, ESCAN, Spain

Beyond Theory: Success stories from Energy Communities across Europe

Gathering for the second part of the workshop, participants will learn about successful examples of energy communities in Europe, exploring their strategies and challenges. Participants will also gain insights into lessons from these examples that can support the replication, long-term success, and scaling up of community actions across Europe. The following topics and speakers will present during this part of the workshop: 

• The “Weekend Energy Community” – Vlasta Krmelj, ENERGAP, Slovenia
• Pioneering Energy Communities in Emilia-Romagna and the key role of energy agencies – Marco Costa, AESS, Italy
• First green energy community in Romania – Olimpia Nicolae, Coaliția Energie Comunitară, Romania
• Five remote villages – one Energy Community – Savvas Vlacchos, Cyprus Energy Agency, Cyprus
• Energy belongs in the hands of the community – Christian Straßer, Energiewende Feldkirchen, Austria
• Innovative financing of island Energy Community – Alexis Lozano, Consejo Insular de la Energía de Gran Canaria, Spain
• Integrating electricity, heat production and renovation – Noémie Zambeaux, Auvergne Rhône Alpes Énergie Environnement, France
• Energy sharing in social housing – social responsibility meets community energy – Benjamin Wilkin, Energie Commune, Belgium
• Bulgaria’s Energy Communities in Gabrovo, Burgas and Sofia – Diana Paunova-Galeva, Sofia Energy Agency, Bulgaria
• Energy Communities as a new market force in Greece – Chris Vrettos, Electra Energy, Greece

Funding opportunity

Selected participants will receive financial support (up to €400) for travel and accommodation, along with free access to the entire WSED conference. The deadline to apply is 22 December 2025, and seats can be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply here

About the World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED)

The World Sustainable Energy Days are one of Europe’s leading conferences on the energy transition and climate neutrality. Each year, they attract over 600 participants from more than 50 countries and run in parallel to a major trade show on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, exchange and network with peers from across Europe!