The Ministry for European Integration representatives attended an event on the occasion of the new initiative of the European Commission “Better Cohesion in the Western Balkans through the Development of Energy Communities”, held on 6 and 7 March 2025 in Rimini, Italy, organised by the Italian region of Emilia Romagna.
Mihajilo Dašić, Advisor at the Ministry for European Integration, expressed the appreciation for the launch of the initiative by the representatives of the Emilia Romagna region and the European Commission. This initiative coincided with the adoption of the Revised Action Plan of the EUSAIR Strategy, gaining even more importance in light of the restored cooperation as an enlargement instrument.
The initiative aims to support the creation of regional networks and foster cooperation and exchange of good practices between energy communities. It bears significant importance for local stakeholders as it strengthens trust between local authorities and citizens when it comes to using renewable energy and improving energy efficiency.
“At the local level, we expect an initiative to empower local stakeholders – to involve businesses and strengthen trust between local authorities and citizens for using renewable energy and improving energy efficiency. This will stimulate innovation and promote social cohesion, at the same time contributing to the broader goals of EU integration and our preparation for cohesion policy,” Dašić emphasised.
The workshop included an overview of the policy and regulatory framework in the field of energy, a presentation of experiences and case studies from Italian regions (especially from the Emilia Romagna region), the roles and functions of local actors and facilitators, the role of the local energy agency, municipalities, as well as the role of research centres.
