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Nov 04 2022
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Transition to Energy Democracy (Skopje)

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About the Event

During this interactive sessions on Energy democracy, we will discuss the current energy policies in North Macedonia and the need for a more democratic and inclusive society. As part of this exercise, we will address the state of democracy in the EU and candidate countries, looking at possible economic alternatives and considering the climate change urgency.

Context

This is the second event with our Energy Democracy project in 2022. With Europe’s deepening energy crisis and the chronic coal dependency of the Balkan region, the need for renewable energy is more evident than never before. On this event we will elaborate on previous experiences in Europe involving transitions in the energy sector to stimulate positive change in North Macedonia and the region. The discussions should result in a workshop to discuss and learn more about the prosumer and energy cooperative models, the use of renewable energy and its potential for the economy.

GEF and Sunrise are pioneers on the topic of Energy Democracy in North Macedonia and again with this second event in 2022 we will continue to discuss energy transformation towards participatory, inclusive and a decentralised green economy through the expansion of the Energy Democracy concept. Together we will contribute to the debates and practices on EU level with experiences and challenges from the Balkans.

Speakers

Speakers will be announced shortly.

Programme

15:00                   Welcome and introduction

15:10-15:20       Session with speaker on Energy Democracy

15:20-16:00      Workshop sessions on prosumer models in the EU and the region of the Western balkans

16:00-16:20      Coffee break

16:20-17:00      Workshop sessions on energy cooperatives with European experiences and regional approach

17:00-19:00        Dinner and discussion

Practicalities

Date and Time: 15th November, 3pm

Location: Skopje

Language: The primary language is Macedonian but simultaneous translation in English will be provided. 

Audience: Closed event with invitation only.

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Sunrise and with the financial support of the European parliament to the Green European Foundation. 

 

May 06 2022
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Transition to Energy Democracy (Skopje)

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About the Event

The energy crisis has deepened across Europe and with the chronic coal dependency of the Balkan region, we need to push for renewable energy more than never before. In this seminar, we will elaborate on the European experiences of transition in the energy sector and seek ways to stimulate positive changes in North Macedonia. Joined by various expert voices, we will also discuss the links between energy policy and the fight for a more democratic and inclusive society.

The discussions will later on result in a public policy document that will improve the legislation on the prosumer and energy cooperative models, envisioning a wider use of renewable energy to its full potential for the Balkan candidate country economies.

Context

GEF and Sunrise are pioneers on the topic of Energy Democracy in North Macedonia and with this project we will continue to discuss energy transformation towards a participatory, inclusive, and decentralised green economy through promotion of the Energy Democracy concept. Together, we will contribute to the debates and practices on the EU level with experiences and challenges from the Balkans.

Speakers

Aleksandar Gjorgjievski – National project coordinator and President of ASSED Sunrise
Dimitris Kitsikopoulos – Electra Energy Cooperative – Greece
Sara Tachelet – Communications manager at REScoop.eu – Brussels, Belgium
Strahinja Macić – Polekol – Belgrade, Serbia
Dragan Minovski – Professor at the Eletrotechnical Faculty of Shtip
Damjan Zlatanovski – Young activist and ecologist

Moderated by Hristijan Stanoevikj

Programme

11:00 Welcome and introduction 

11:10-12:00 Session with speaker on Energy Democracy  

12:00-12:30 Coffee break 

12:30-13:45 Panel discussion and Q&A 

Practicalities

When: Saturday, May 14th (11:00 – 14:00 CEST) 

Where: This is a hybrid event taking place in person in Skopje with online streaming and participation via Zoom. 

Language: The primary language is Macedonian but simultaneous translation in English will be provided. 

Register: In person participation is by invitation only (contact sien.hasker@gef.eu for more information). Online participation is open to everyone, please sign up via this link. 

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Sunrise and with the financial support of the European parliament to the Green European Foundation. 

 

Apr 28 2021
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Transformation Towards Energy Democracy

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About the Event:

With this event, we will discuss the need for a more democratic and inclusive society by addressing the state of democracy in the EU and the candidate countries with the economic alternatives and the urgency of climate change.

Context:

During the last four years, The Green European Foundation with the support of Sunrise has been leading the discussion on Energy Democracy in North Macedonia. With this 2021 event, we will continue elaborating on the European experiences in the energy sector and stimulating positive change in North Macedonia and the region. During this open Webinar, we will discuss energy transformation and set a path to a participatory, inclusive, and decentralized green economy through the promotion of the Energy Democracy concept. Together we will contribute to the debate and practices on the EU level with experiences and challenges from the Balkans.

Speakers:

  • Aleksandar Gjorgjievski, Sunrise, North Macedonia
  • Melani Furlan, Green Energy Cooperative in Zagreb, Croatia
  • Prof. Stefan Bouzarovski – Professor of Human Geography at the University of Manchester, where he directs the People and Energy Programme within the Manchester Urban Institute, UK
  • Stevan Vujasinović

    – Executive Director, RES Foundation, Serbia

Visual Facilitator: Alejandro Gil (Greenr Visual Interpreter)

 

Programme:

17:00 – 17:10 Introduction of the event

  • Aleksandar Gjorgjievski, Moderator and National Coordinator, (Sunrise, North Macedonia)

17:10-17:25 Energy

poverty in South-eastern Europe

  • Prof. Stefan Bouzarovski, University of Manchester (United Kingdom)

17:25-17:40 The role of citizens in the Energy Transition

  • MSc. Ing. Melani Furlan, Project Manager at ZEZ Croatia (Croatia)

17:40-17:55  Green Agenda for Decarbonizing the Western Balkans

  • Stevan Vujasinović, Executive Director at RES Foundation (Serbia)

17:55-18:30  Q&A and display of the Visual Art: Alejandro Gil (Greenr Visual Interpreter)

 

Practicalities:

Date and time: Tuesday, 18th May from 17:00 – 18:30 CET.

Audience: This webinar will take place in English with simultaneous translation to Macedonian and is open to the general public.

Registrations are now open. 

This event will be organised through the ZOOM platform.

 

This graphic recording from the event was designed by Alejandro Gil, one of our Greenr Visual Interpreters.

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Sunrise and with the financial support of the European parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this event.

 

Aug 13 2019
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Energy Democracy Workshop (Ohrid)

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About the Event

This event will bring together different actors from across the region and the EU to find alternative solutions and support positive changes to the energy sector in North Macedonia and in South-East Europe.

The topic of the workshop is how we can set a path to a participatory, inclusive and decentralised Green economy through promotion of the Energy Democracy concept.

The workshop will focus on energy cooperatives and other forms of socio-environmental economy in Europe, contributing to the debate and practice on the EU level with experiences and challenges from the Balkans perspective.

The workshop will connect with multiple priorities, underlining the need for a more democratic and inclusive society and educating on economic alternatives that address democratic deficiencies in EU and candidate countries, as well as the climate emergency.

Programme

Day 1

10:00 – 11:00   Introduction of the event, Opening of the event and Presenting 2019 workshop –

  • Aleksandar Gjorgjievski project coordinator
  • Maja Morachanin – Member of North Macedonian Parliament, Green perspective on Energy in North Macedonia and the Region

11:00 – 12:30   Presentations and Panel discusion:  Energy Sector in EU and the Balkan Region (Current and future perspectives)

  • Moderated by Ervin Redjepagikj – Energy consultant
  • Dirk Holemans – Oikos, Belgium – Presentation: Energy Democracy
  • Hajdana Rukavina, Zelena Energetska Zajednica – ZEZ from Croatia, member of REScoop – Presentation: Community energy experience from Europe and region
  • Natasha Gligorijevic – Center for Sustainable Development of Serbia – Presentation Green Public Procurement: Energy transition, innovation and Procurement

Discussion on Energy democracy

13:00 – 14:00   Lunch

Day 2

GEF Energy Democracy Summer School and Workshop

09:30 – 10:30   Working discussions in groups

Energy cooperatives

  • Hajdana Rukavina, ZEZ Croatia, member of REScoop – European federation of energy cooperatives

The Future of public policies in energy sector,

  • Ervin Redjepagikj – Energy consultant

Economic alternatives as result of democratic and inclusive society,

  • Zaklina Zivkovic, Networked – Serbia

Green Public Procurement

  • Natasha Gligorijevic – Center for Sustainable Development of Serbia

10:30 – 11:00   Conclusions and Closing of the event

The Facebook event for this event can be found here. 

Practicalities

This event will be held in conjuction with a workshop on fair and healthy food. 

Venue
The venue is located about 8 km (10 minutes drive) from Ohrid Airport and 4 km (10 minutes drive) from the Ohrid Central bus Station
By bus (ticket is € 0.5 to €2)
By taxi: (from € 3 to €7)

Language
Simultaneous interpretation into English will be provided on 8 September.

The sessions on 9 September will be held in Macedonian without interpretation, although participants and speakers are free to communicate in English.

Accommodation

If you would like to apply for accommodation covered by the organisers, please contact Aleksandar Gjorgjievski aleksgo@gmail.com.

Registration

Please register for this workshop via the form found here. 

Registration deadline: 5 September 2019

 

Jan 24 2019
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Citizens Energy: Making Energy Democracy Happen

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This publication has been produced as part of the GEF transnational project Energy Democracy: Changing the Energy System.  

In this project, Green foundations from the United Kingdom, Greece, Macedonia and Belgium share their experiences and ideas and develop policy proposals to enable a transition to a renewable and democratic energy system.

The publication, written by Dirk Holemans and Kati Van de Velde from Flemish think tank Oikos explores the concepts of a democratic energy regime, drawing from examples in Germany and Denmark, and cooperation between citizens and local governments, focusing on case studies in the UK and Belgium.

Download your copy here. 

This publication is also available in Serbian, Portuguese, Spanish, Macedonian & Turkish.

 

Nov 27 2018
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Citizen’s Energy: Making Energy Democracy Happen (Brussels)

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Context 

This conference is part of the Green European Foundation Energy Democracy transnational project, which aims to explore the potential of an energy transition for Europe and how to shape this process in a democratic, participatory way. 

Europe has to change its energy system into a fully renewable one to transition to a sustainable economy and to establish a real climate policy. This is a major challenge for every Member State of the European Union, but will only succeed if the states work together. 

European citizens are already playing an active role, together with governments at different levels, as they are organising themselves in national energy cooperatives and also the European Federation REScoop. 

Studies show that by 2050, around 45% of all EU households could be producing their own renewable energy, more than a third could come through renewable energy cooperatives. This constitutes a huge opportunity for regional economic development, as locally-owned renewable energy projects deliver eight times the value of projects that are owned by private companies not from the area. However, the reality in the different Member States is extremely diverse. While the contribution of citizens’ Energy co-ops and local communities is well recognized in Western Europe, the situation in Eastern Europe is quite the opposite. 

See also the publication that was produced for this project: Community Energy in UK. 

About the event 

Our energy system is outdated in many ways: fossil fuel based and thus unsustainable, technocratic, and dominated by a few big market players. But over the last few decades, citizens have been developing an alternative system that is renewable, decentralised and democratic.

The development of renewable energy cooperatives demonstrates what citizens are capable of, especially when they are supported by a partner state, one that develops a stimulating legal framework and offers smart incentives.

How can we strengthen this transition to an energy system of the future? This conference will bring together contributors from GEF partners, energy cooperatives and energy sectors to discuss renewable energy potential on both a European and local level.  

Speakers 

  • Dirk Holemans, coordinator Oikos Think Tank
  • Dirk Vansintjan, President REScoop.eu
  • Elise Steyaert, from local climate cooperation Klimaan and VEB (Vlaams Energie Bedrijf)  
  • Claire Roumet, Director Energy Cities 
  • Johan Daenen, Member of Flemish Parliament 
  • Bob d’Haeseller, Green Party in Eeklo (BE)
  • Anne Chapman, Director Green House Think Tank (UK)
  • Aurélie Maréchal, Director Green European Foundation

Programme

17:00 – Welcome by Aurélie Maréchal, Director of Green European Foundation
17:10 – Stage setting by Dirk Holemans, coordinator at Oikos think tank
17:30 – Local and citizen iniatatives with Elise Steyaert (Klimaan), Dirk Vansintjan (REScoop), Bob d’Haeseleer (Groen Eeklo)
18:30 – Q&A
19:00 – Coffee break and snacks
19:30 – Role of governments with Claire Roumet (Energy Cities), Johan Daenen (Member of Flemish Parliament), Anne Chapman (Green House Think Tank)
20:30 – Q&A

Tickets for the event can be purchased from the Oikos website here. 

Nov 16 2018
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Community Energy in the UK

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This report is part of the Green European Foundation project, Energy Democracy, Changing the Energy System. It tells the story of people in the UK who have attempted to gain ownership of the bits of their energy system available to them – to meet the challenge posed by climate change – and to help people struggling with the cost of the energy needed to keep themselves warm and healthy.

Oct 05 2018
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Shaping the Energy Sector in Europe (Athens)

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CONTEXT

This conference is part of the Green European Foundation Energy Democracy transnational project, which aims to explore the potential of an energy transition for Europe and how to shape this process in a democratic, participatory way.

Europe has to change its energy system into a fully renewable one to transition to a sustainable economy and to establish a real climate policy. This is a major challenge for every Member State of the European Union, but will only succeed if the states work to together.

European citizens are already playing an active role, together with governments at different levels, as they are organising themselves in national energy cooperatives and also the European Federation REScoop.

Studies show that by 2050, around 45% of all EU households could be producing their own renewable energy, and more than a third could come through renewable energy cooperatives. This constitutes a huge opportunity for regional economic development, as locally-owned renewable energy projects deliver eight times the value of projects that are owned by private companies not from the area.

The reality in the different Member States is however extremely diverse. While the contribution of citizens’ Energy co-ops and local communities is well recognized in Western Europe, the situation in Eastern Europe is quite the opposite.

PROGRAMME

10:30 – 11:00: Arrival of attendees

11:00 – 11:05: Opening statement from the panel

11:05 – 12:00: Welcome and opening addresses:

  • Kostas Diakos, Green Institute President
  • Socratis Famellos, Vice-Minister Energy and Environment
  • Mimis Dimitriadis, MP SYRIZA, Chair of Parliamentarian Committee on Economy and Development
  • Manolis Vemis, Coordinator of the Executive Secretariat – Greek Green Party (Οικολογοι Πρασινοι)
  • Political parties representatives (tbc)

12:00 – 14:00: First round of speakers:

Legislative Framework of Energy Co-ops:

  • Michalis Verroiopoulos, Secretary of Energy Ministry of Environment and Energy

Change of Energy Production and Consumption Model as a Prerequisite for a Sustainable and Democratic Future:

  • Giorgos Dimaras, Deputy Minister Energy and Environment, MP SYRIZA Greek Green Party

Application of Energy Co-ops in Sustainable Agriculture:

  • Giannis Tsironis, former Alternate Minister of Agriculture, MP SYRIZA Greek Green Party

Lessons from Community Energy in the UK:

  • Anne Chapman, Director of Green House UK Think Tank, Director of Morecambe Bay Community Renewables

There will also be opportunities for Q&As from the audience.

14:00 – 14:40: Buffet Lunch

14:30 – 17:00: Second round of speakers:

The Transformation to Energy Democracy:

  • Merlijn De Rijcke, OIKOS Think Tank Belgium

Presentation of the Energy Cooperative Project of Sifnos Island:

  • Giannis Ghillis, engineer

Presentation of the Energy Cooperative Project of Tilos Island:

  • Giannis Kaldelis, engineer

Applying Energy Efficiency Principles – Possibilities for the Greek City:

  • Nikos Samaras, architect MSC, lecturer at the Thessaly Technological Institute

Recycling and Energy Democracy:

  • Christina Efthimiatou, chemical engineer, board member of the Hellenic Recycle Agency EOAN, co-spokesperson of the Greek Green Party (Οικολόγοι Πράσινοι)

There will also be opportunities for Q&As from the audience.

17:30 – 18:00: Closing statements from international guests & panellists 

This event is open to all who would like to attend. For more information, please contact the organiser Dimitris on dimitrispashalis@yahoo.com

For updates on this event and other upcoming ones of this GEF transnational project, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Sep 19 2018
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Shaping the Energy Sector in Europe (Skopje)

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Context

This conference is part of the Green European Foundation Energy Democracy transnational project, which aims to explore the potential of an energy transition for Europe and how to shape this process in a democratic, participatory way.

Europe has to change its energy system into a fully renewable one to transition to a sustainable economy and to establish a real climate policy. This is a major challenge for every Member State of the European Union, but will only succeed if the states work to together.

European citizens are already playing an active role, together with governments at different levels, as they are organising themselves in national energy cooperatives and also the European Federation REScoop.

Studies show that by 2050, around 45% of all EU households could be producing their own renewable energy, more than a third could come through renewable energy cooperatives. This constitutes a huge opportunity for regional economic development, as locally-owned renewable energy projects deliver eight times the value of projects that are owned by private companies not from the area. The reality in the different Member States is however extremely diverse. While the contribution of citizens’ Energy co-ops and local communities is well recognized in Western Europe, the situation in Eastern Europe is quite the opposite.

About the event

The conference will bring together contributors from GEF partners, energy cooperatives and energy sectors to discuss renewable energy potential on both a Europe and local level.

Programme

09:30 – 10:30:  Arrival of participants and speakers

10:30 – 11:00:  Registration and welcome coffee

11:00 – 11:15: Opening:

  • Short presentation of the 2018 project
  • Aleksandar Gjorgjievski, national coordinator
  • ASSED Sunrise, Skopje  

11:15 – 12:00: Presentation:  The Transformation to Energy Democracy

  • Dirk Holemans, transnational coordinator Oikos, Belgium

12:00 – 12:30: Coffee break

12:30 – 13:10: Energy Cooperatives in Europe

  • Quest from ReScoop

13:10 – 13:40: Energy Sector in Macedonia and the Region – Current & Future Perspective 

  • Ervin Redjepagikj

13:40 – 14:00: Renewable Energy

  • Aleksandar Hristu Kanevce

14:00 – 15:00: Discussion on Energy Democracy – with the speakers 

15:00 – 16:00:   Lunch 

Registration

To register for this event, please contact Aleksandar Gjorgjievski aleksgo@gmail.com.