Celebrating Lena Eckerberg's 25 Years of Dedication

Lena Eckerberg has been a dedicated member of the Energy Agency Southern Sweden since its inception in August 1999.  Now serving as Head of Development/Project Manager, she coordinates Energikontor Syd's project development, aligning with regional goals. An expert in EU projects and programmes focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy, Lena provides expertise in areas such as regional development, public sector support, and the Covenant of Mayors. Her latest contributions include participating in the national reference group for climate, energy, and mobility in Horizon Europe and serving as an evaluator for various EU programmes. 

So, let’s see what Lena has to say about her incredible journey and the future of energy.  

Lena, you've been with the Energy Agency Southern Sweden for 25 years, congratulations! Can you walk us through some key moments or challenges that have shaped your journey within the agency? 

When I started back in 1999, it felt like we were among the few talking about the climate—mostly specialists were involved, and the focus was more on environmental studies than on climate change itself. For the first ten years, that was the norm, but then things shifted, and suddenly climate issues became part of the broader conversation. The challenges have evolved significantly over the years. Back then, it was mainly about raising awareness. Now, in 2024, the challenges are much more complex. 

With your extensive experience at Energy Agency South Sweden and your collaboration with others across Europe, how do you see the role of energy agencies within the EU, and what makes them unique? 

Energy agencies are the bridges between local municipalities and national or international levels. We connect local communities with broader European experience and resources they might not access on their own. We help simplify the process for municipalities to get EU funding and tackle projects they couldn’t handle alone. Essentially, we make the complex stuff more accessible for locals and bring their needs and challenges up to higher levels. European projects are a big part of how we do this. 

Talking about EU projects, you’ve played a significant role in many over the years. How have these projects influenced your approach to energy management and sustainability? 

I’ve worked on about 30 projects, most of them EU-funded. EU projects have been an incredible learning experience, offering best practices and insights from more experienced partners across Europe—whether it’s in project management or energy and sustainability. We learn so much from collaborating with energy agencies, associations, NGOs, and more. Plus, you get to meet people from all over Europe. While we may come from different cultures and have different habits, you start realizing people are fundamentally the same. After all, European projects are a key part of European integration, and it’s the people behind these projects that truly make the difference. 

Each project starts as a challenge, often from scratch with limited resources, but that’s what makes it exciting. Just when you’ve mastered one project, a new, fresh challenge comes along. It keeps things interesting—you never get bored. 

Lena Eckerberg 

Is there a particular EU project that stands out to you? What made it especially impactful or memorable? 

The project I feel the strongest about is the Night Hawks project, which I initiated, wrote, and coordinated. It focused on energy efficiency and involved conducting energy checks after hours—hence the name "Night Hawks." We’d visit shopping centres and shops when they were closed to identify often-overlooked sources of energy waste, such as air leaks from ventilation systems or lights left on. This approach not only highlighted energy inefficiencies but also laid a solid foundation for training on energy-saving practices and further engagement with companies in the region. 

We worked with colleagues from France, the United Kingdom, Latvia, Denmark, Italy, Germany, and Cyprus to refine and implement the method. The collaboration was fantastic, and the people involved truly made a difference. Even after the project wrapped up, it’s been great to see old colleagues pop up in new projects—shows how valuable those professional connections are.  

Going back to Energy Agencies, do you think their role will evolve in the future? 

The role of Energy Agencies is bound to shift as funding and political priorities evolve. It used to be more accessible to secure good funding through programmes like Intelligent Energy for Europe, but now it’s more challenging. Our resources are often limited by the funding opportunities available, which can vary widely between agencies. While some have solid basic funding, others, like ours, rely heavily on finding public funding sources to remain impartial. Despite these challenges, I believe regional Energy Agencies will continue to play a crucial role in supporting local and regional authorities with their climate goals. That role remains essential, no matter how the landscape changes. 

For Lena, climate protection and the energy transition are not just part of her work, they are an important basis for all her actions and commitment. It is inspiring to work with her! 

Thekla Heinel, Head of Department at B&SU 

Do you think that by adapting their role, Energy Agencies could secure more stable funding?" 

Many of the current funding opportunities have great potential, but there’s often a tendency to prioritize flashy, high-profile projects. For example, a municipality might focus on building a new, energy-efficient kindergarten while the other 19 kindergartens in the same area still struggle with basic issues like mold. These new initiatives attract a lot of attention, but the essential, less glamorous work often gets overlooked. I believe Energy Agencies have a responsibility to not only push for improvements in energy efficiency but also raise awareness at all levels, even when the solutions aren't as exciting or headline-grabbing. 

As a project manager and head of project development, what strategies do you think are key to making energy projects successful and impactful? What should you include in a project proposal to lead it to success? 

One crucial strategy is to have local stakeholders on board. At Energy Agencies, we might just have desks, computers, and a lot to say, but we really need local partners—whether they’re municipalities, companies, or other organisations—to get involved. Their support is vital for understanding what they can contribute and ensuring local acceptance and engagement. 

My dear colleague Lena is not only an excellent energy and climate advisor, but also a deeply empathetic person. She excels at working with stakeholders, motivating them to actively join the green transition journey. 

Vlasta Krmelj, Director of Podravje Climate and Energy Agency 

Do you have any advice for someone starting their career in this field, in European projects, or at an Energy Agency? 

Even though we’re not selling a product, you still need to 'sell' your ideas. It’s essential to show what's in it for the stakeholders. So, you need a mix of technical knowledge, project management, and strong communication skills. Being technically proficient is important, but if you can’t communicate effectively, you’ll struggle.  

When I started 25 years ago, I came straight from university without much technical experience, and we didn’t have anybody specialised in communications. So, I took on outreach and communication tasks alongside technical work. Over time, I learned a lot about effective communication, and now that dedicated communication specialists have joined, I can see how much it strengthens the Energy Agency and our work. 

At ManagEnergy, we sometimes joke that once we’ve solved the climate crisis, we’ll all be out of a job. Do you think that day is anywhere on the horizon? 

I don’t think we’ll ever see the day when the climate crisis is fully resolved. In the early days, we used to joke about how amazing it would be if climate change got as much attention in the news as sports or the economy. Now, that’s exactly what’s happening—climate news is everywhere. Of course, it’s not always presented in the most positive or constructive light, but the fact that it’s become a constant topic is a huge step forward. Unfortunately, raising awareness seems to have taken a back seat in recent programmes. I believe that Energy Agencies need to continue reminding stakeholders—from those who allocate funding to citizens—about the importance of maintaining the foundational work. While innovation is exciting, there’s still so much to be done at the grassroots level. We need to keep pushing for broader awareness and action.