Section outline

  • Community engagement and social innovation

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      • Introduction — Why engagement and innovation matter

        This module introduces the core concept of community engagement, highlighting its importance in the energy transition and specifically in the development of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs). By the end of this module, participants will understand key engagement principles and review practical examples of how communities across Europe are co-creating energy futures.


        Community engagement refers to the process of involving people in decisions and actions that impact their lives. It fosters inclusivity, trust, transparency, and collaboration between public institutions, stakeholders, and citizens. In the context of RECs, community engagement goes beyond consultation. It invites citizens, local authorities, businesses, and organizations to co-design, co-own, and co-manage local renewable energy projects. It is foundational for legitimacy, trust, and long-term success.


        Community engagement in RECs is built on the following core principles:

        • Co-Creation: Citizens participate in shaping energy systems that serve their community.
        • Open Innovation: Collaborative knowledge exchange across sectors and disciplines.
        • Empowerment: Enabling citizens to lead, make decisions, and benefit.
        • Localisation: Adapting engagement strategies to local contexts and needs.
        • Engagement as a Journey: From observation and sense-making to co-design and prototyping.

        Creating successful energy communities depends on people working together. Citizens and local groups, businesses and governments all have a role to play. Citizens can join local energy cooperatives, attend public meetings, or share ideas for local projects. Community groups can organize awareness events or help reach vulnerable households. Businesses might invest in solar panels or offer technical support. Local governments can provide policy support, space for installations, or funding tools. These roles may be different, but they are all important. When we collaborate, we can share knowledge, solve problems faster, and create better outcomes for all. This kind of teamwork brings mutual benefits; the community gets clean, affordable energy; people gain new skills, green jobs, and greater energy control; and the environment benefits from lower emissions.

        That’s why it’s important to remember: we all play a part. There are no silos in a strong energy community. Energy transition is not only the job of experts or authorities. It also belongs to the people who live in the community and the ones who will use, support, and benefit from these projects. By including everyone, we make the process more fair, creative, and effective. 

         

         

  • 1. Fostering meaningful engagement

      • Foundations of participation

        When we talk about community engagement, we are talking about people coming together in order to share ideas, make decisions, and create solutions that improve life in their communities. It’s not just about being invited to a meeting, it’s about being truly involved. Meaningful participation happens when everyone feels welcome, heard, and respected. It means that people believe their voice matters and that they can help shape the future around them.

      • Collaborative tools and approaches

        To build this kind of active and open participation, it’s important that people work together based on a few key values. Trust is the first step. People need to feel safe to speak openly, without fear of being judged or ignored. Fairness is just as important. Everyone, no matter their background, education, or role in society, should have an equal chance to take part. And it’s especially important to include those who are often left out or overlooked.

        Transparency helps build confidence. When decisions are made openly and information is shared clearly and honestly, people feel more involved. It’s important to explain how things are decided and why certain actions are taken. And then there’s empowerment. This means helping people gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to take part and lead. When people feel empowered, they’re more ready to speak up, take action, and support their communities.

        Working together in a meaningful way also means using good tools and approaches that include everyone. One of the most helpful skills is inclusive facilitation. This means guiding group conversations in a way that gives everyone a chance to speak, respects different points of view, and uses clear, simple language. It doesn’t take a professional to do this. Anyone can learn how to create a safe and welcoming space for open discussion.

        There are also different ways to bring people together, depending on the goals. Co-creation workshops allow small groups to work together to solve a problem or design new ideas. Public consultations are open meetings where people can give feedback on a policy, a plan, or a project. Storytelling sessions give people a chance to share personal experiences, helping others understand different perspectives and connect on a deeper level.

      • Using shared language

        And perhaps one of the most powerful tools is shared language. Sometimes, technical or policy words can make people feel left out or confused. That’s why it’s so important to explain things clearly, using everyday words that everyone can understand. Shared language helps bridge gaps between different groups, citizens, professionals, and decision-makers, and allows all voices to be part of the conversation.

        When we combine values like trust and fairness with good tools like inclusive dialogue and shared language, we create real opportunities for collaboration and innovation. And that’s how communities grow stronger, when everyone has a seat at the table and a voice in shaping the future.

      • Citizen energy in Križevci, Croatia: A solar plant built by the people

        In April 2025, the town of Križevci, Croatia, became home to a remarkable solar energy project. For the first time in the country, a group of citizens joined forces to build a solar power plant, right on the roof of the local city market. What makes this project unique is that it is entirely owned by citizens and run through a local energy cooperative called ZEZ Sunce.

        How it started and who was involved

        The idea began after two smaller solar installations were successfully tested in Križevci in 2018 and 2019. These pilot projects helped build trust among the community and showed that local energy solutions were possible. Building on this foundation, the cooperative ZEZ Sunce was officially established in January 2023 to take on a larger project.

        The City of Križevci played an important role by offering the roof of the city market for the installation. The municipal utility company signed an agreement to lease the space and use the electricity generated. The project was funded by 127 citizens from across Croatia, one-third of them from Križevci, each with an equal say in how the cooperative is run.

        In March 2024, a public call for investment raised €140,000 in just 10 days, showing how much people supported the idea. Construction began in January 2025, and the solar plant officially opened on April 15, 2025.

        Why this project matters

        Križevci has set an ambitious goal - to become energy independent by 2030. That means generating all the energy it needs from local, renewable sources. The citizen-owned solar plant is a major step in that direction, and part of a broader plan to install many more solar systems throughout the city.

        This project also shows a new way of doing things. Instead of waiting for the government or large companies to act, the city and its people took action together. Citizens provided the funding and motivation, the city provided the space, and the cooperative handled the organization. Support at the national level also played a role; Croatia’s energy market operator HROTE secured a 12-year contract to buy the electricity at a fixed price, ensuring financial stability for the project.

        What we can learn from the city of Križevci 

        This project teaches us a lot. First, starting with small pilot projects helps build trust in the community. People are more ready to invest when they have already seen success. Second, it’s important to clearly explain everyone’s role and benefits. Citizens invest and get democratic control; the city uses its public roof; the utility company helps run the system and everyone gains. Another big lesson is that people are ready to take part if you give them a clear and simple way to join. 
        Raising €140,000 in only 10 days shows that there is strong public interest when things are well explained. Good communication is key. We also learned that teamwork between many different sectors is necessary. Citizens, the city government, the cooperative, local companies, and national institutions all had to work together. Without this cooperation, the project would not be possible. 

        Citizen Solar Power Plant in Križevci (Taken from https://www.zez.coop/)

        Working together for a shared future

        Križevci solar project is a strong example of what can happen when everyone plays a part. It shows that energy transition is not only a job for experts or governments. People in the community can also lead and shape their own energy future. This project proves that when we break down the walls between different groups; citizens, public institutions, businesses, we can achieve something great. It is not just about solar panels. It is about building trust, sharing responsibility, and creating a cleaner and fairer future for everyone.

      • Community Energy in Gabrovo, Bulgaria: Citizens and the City Join Forces

        In 2023, the city of Gabrovo, Bulgaria, became home to one of the country’s first renewable energy communities. Located in central Bulgaria, Gabrovo is a small city with a big ambition - to give local people a direct role in the clean energy transition. Through a shared solar project and a new energy cooperative, citizens, local government, and businesses came together to build something new: a power system that works for everyone.

        How it started and who was involved

        The story of Gabrovo’s energy community began with a growing local commitment to climate action. In 2021, Gabrovo became the first Bulgarian municipality to declare its intent to become carbon-neutral by 2050. As part of that vision, the city joined Greenpeace Bulgaria’s “Energy Communities” pilot initiative,  a program aimed at helping municipalities lead the way in community-owned renewables.

        In 2022, Gabrovo Municipality initiated the development of the first energy community in Bulgaria by sponsoring feasibility studies, legal and financial analysis, and exploring community ownership models. Local officials participated in EU-funded capacity building and applied to projects like TANDEMS and LIFE Loop to support the planning and the design of the REC. 

        In November 2022, a public call was issued to recruit members for the energy community. Local citizens, NGOs, SMEs, and the municipality participated. Membership was opened in two phases, first for residents of Gabrovo, then for others across Bulgaria, to ensure local prioritization. Investment contributions ranged from BGN 500 to BGN 5,000 per member. The membership campaign raised BGN 180,000 (approximately €92,000), reaching its target three weeks ahead of schedule. The fast response highlighted strong community interest and trust in the project from the very start.

        The community planned and constructed a 100 kWp photovoltaic solar power plant on a former municipal landfill site. Technical coordination and community engagement were managed as an ongoing partnership between the municipality and project members.

        Why this project matters

        Gabrovo is showing that even small cities can lead the energy transition. In a country where citizen-led energy is still new, this project is a pioneering example of what’s possible when people are invited to co-create the solution.

        It’s not just about solar panels. It’s about building trust, spreading ownership, and giving people a voice in shaping the future of energy. The project also demonstrates the value of strong local leadership: by stepping in to organize and support, the city made it easier for people to join and act.

        Although connecting the system to the national grid has faced delays, the cooperative remains active, and members are working together to push the project forward — showing how resilience and cooperation go hand in hand.

        What we can learn from Gabrovo

        Gabrovo’s story offers valuable lessons for other communities. It show how important is to:

        • Start with trust: The city’s leadership helped create a safe, transparent environment for participation.
        • Keep it fair: Capping investments and offering equal decision-making power made the process inclusive and democratic.
        • Make it real: People were eager to join, once they had a clear, practical way to get involved.
        • Work across sectors: Success came from cooperation between citizens, the municipality, technical experts, and supporting institutions.

        Working together for a shared future

        Gabrovo’s energy community proves that the clean energy transition isn’t just for experts or big companies, it’s something communities can lead themselves. With shared ownership, open participation, and strong partnerships, energy becomes more than a utility, it becomes a common good.

        This project is a reminder that when we break down barriers between people, policy makers, and institutions, we don’t just generate power, we build stronger, more connected communities.

         

         

  • 2. Building social acceptance together

    Creating Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) isn’t just about technology and infrastructure. It's about people and how they feel about change. Once people feel genuinely included, the next step is making sure they support and sustain the change. That’s where social acceptance comes in  the process of building trust, legitimacy, and shared ownership in community projects like Renewable Energy Communities (RECs).

    Social acceptance refers to how communities perceive and support renewable energy projects. It is a critical factor in whether these projects succeed. It goes beyond legal permissions, it’s about earning trust, belonging, and a shared sense of purpose within the community.

    “Successful energy transitions depend not only on technology and finance but also on the engagement and consent of those affected.” — Wüstenhagen et al., 2007. “Social acceptance of renewable energy innovation.”

      • What drives social acceptance?

        Social acceptance grows when people recognize fairness, experience transparency, and feel that the benefits truly reach them. In the context of RECs, it isn’t just about whether people say “yes” or “no.” It's more complex. According to Wüstenhagen, Wolsink, and Bürer (2007), social acceptance has three key dimensions that work together:

        1. Socio-Political Acceptance: Refers to trust in the institutions and policies behind energy projects. Do people trust the government, planners, or organizations driving the project?
        2. Community Acceptance: Refers to the local support for a project, especially where it is built or operated. Do local people feel heard and benefit from the project in their area?
        3. Market Acceptance: Refers to how willing consumers, businesses, and investors are to adopt or support renewable energy technologies. Are people ready to invest in, buy from, or join the REC?

        These three dimensions work together to facilitate the creation of RECs and are based on the same core principles:

        • Fairness: People want to know the process is just and that their time and inputs are valued equally. This includes both procedural fairness (how decisions are made) and distributive fairness (how benefits and responsibilities are shared).
        • Trust: When communities trust that the people or organizations behind a project are listening, honest, and reliable, they’re more likely to support it.
        • Transparency: Open access to clear information, not buried in jargon or behind closed doors is essential.
        • Perceived risks and benefits: People weigh what they might lose (cost, disruption) versus what they gain (lower bills, clean air, ownership). Clear and honest communication about this balance builds trust. People need to see how they and their community will benefit, whether through lower energy bills, cleaner air, new jobs, or co-ownership opportunities.
        • Recognition and inclusion: People want to feel seen, respected, and valued. Acknowledging diverse perspectives, from renters to local NGOs,  helps build legitimacy and collective ownership.

        Achieving broad and lasting social acceptance of RECs requires more than just technical excellence or financial incentives. It requires thoughtful, collaborative strategies that embed fairness, transparency, and trust into every stage of the project, from design to delivery.

        Below are four core strategies that communities and policy makers can use together to build social acceptance and support long-term engagement. 

        1. Inclusive dialogue
          What it means: Creating environments where all community members, especially those typically left out feel welcome, heard, and respected.
          Why it matters: Many communities contain a range of voices and lived experiences. If engagement is one-sided or overly technical, it can deepen mistrust or apathy. Genuine dialogue builds relationships, empathy, and understanding.
          How to do it:
          Facilitate storytelling sessions that invite people to share personal experiences with energy, sustainability, or community change.
          Host listening circles or small-group conversations focused on equity and accessibility.
          Offer interpretation, childcare, or transportation support to help underrepresented groups participate fully.
        2. Conflict mediation
          What it means: Acknowledging that disagreement or hesitation is usual and making space to address it constructively.
          Why it matters: Conflict isn’t failure. It’s feedback. When communities are changing how they generate, use, or govern energy, emotions and fears often arise. Avoiding or suppressing these tensions undermines trust.
          How to do it:
          Bring in neutral facilitators trained in community mediation or restorative practices.
          Use visual timelines, empathy mapping, and dialogue mapping to help uncover root concerns.
          Disagreement is a normal and important part of a healthy democracy. It should not be seen as a problem, but as a way for people to share different ideas and be involved.
        3. Community co-ownership
          What it means: It is important to give people a real part in the project, not just a voice. This means they can share ownership in different ways; through money, legal rights, or by being part of the decision-making process.
          Why it matters: When people are co-owners, they are more invested emotionally, socially, and practically. It also helps redistribute benefits and build local capacity.
          How to do it:
          Support the creation of community energy cooperatives or shared investment models.
          Offer community shares, participation in governance boards, or joint decision-making councils.
          Move beyond token consultation and involve locals in setting goals, designing solutions, and measuring success.
        4. Policy and institutional design
          What it means: Ensuring that the structures around RECs, from laws to funding to partnerships, actively promote equity, access, and community power.
          Why it matters: Engagement can only be as effective as the systems that support it. If policy timelines are rushed, or if regulations favor larger players, communities may be left out despite best efforts.
          How to do it:
          Include citizens and local groups from the beginning, when ideas are first being made and plans are being created, not only later when everything is already decided.
          Design policies with social equity measures, such as prioritizing energy-poor households or underserved areas.
          Create institutional memory through public reporting, archives, or recurring community assemblies.

      • The role of policy makers in fostering community engagement and social acceptance in RECs

        Policy makers at all levels have an important role in helping energy communities grow. Their decisions affect who can join, how people take part, and how benefits are shared. Instead of just making rules from a distance, they can build trust, improve access, and connect expert planning with what people in the community care about.

        To support energy communities, policy makers should create clear and simple laws because having complicated or unclear rules can discourage people from joining. Good policy allows easier setup of cooperatives, grid connection, and community ownership.

        People are also more likely to support projects when the process is open and easy to understand. That means using simple language, asking for feedback early, and showing how public input was used. Everyone should feel included.

        Fairness matters too. Policy should help low-income and vulnerable groups join energy projects. That might include financial help, support for renters, or giving priority to schools or social housing.

        Even though local groups often lead the way, policy makers can help by funding local energy forums, supporting public discussions, and providing tools for community organizing.

        Finally, policy makers should be present, open, and honest. When they attend meetings, listen, and build real relationships, it shows the project is for everyone and not just for a few.

         

         

  • 3. Strengthening collective capacity

      • Knowledge for all

        To create real and lasting change in our communities, we need more than just individual effort. We need to build collective capacity, the shared ability of citizens, NGOs, and policy makers to understand challenges, work together, and take action for the common good.

        One of the first steps in strengthening our collective capacity is making sure that knowledge is accessible to everyone. Too often, topics like energy, planning, or governance are explained in a way that’s too technical or full of expert language. This creates a gap between those who “understand the system” and those who feel left out.

        That’s why we talk about energy literacy for all. It means helping people understand how the energy system works, who makes decisions, and how they can take part.

        Energy literacy doesn’t mean everyone has to become a scientist or engineer. It simply means having a clear understanding of key things like; what are renewable energy sources; how does the energy grid work; who decides about energy prices and infrastructure and how can communities produce their own energy?

        When people understand how the system works, they can join discussions, ask the right questions, and even lead their own local projects, like installing solar panels, forming an energy cooperative, or joining local decision-making processes.

      • Toolkits and shared learning platforms

        Learning doesn't just happen in classrooms or expert meetings. It also happens in everyday spaces, when people share ideas, ask questions, and build things together. To support this, we need the right tools and platforms that help people learn and take action, together.

        Here are two simple but powerful approaches:

        • Toolkits: These are practical guides that explain how to do something; for example, how to run a community energy project, how to organize a public meeting, or how to communicate with local government. Toolkits can be printed guides, short videos, or online resources. The key is that they are clear, practical, and easy to use.
        • Shared learning platforms: These are spaces (online or in-person) where people come together to learn from each other. It could be a community workshop, a local learning group, a social media page, or an open forum. These platforms allow people to ask questions, share local knowledge, and support one another.

        When we create spaces where knowledge is shared and accessible, people feel more confident. They are more likely to speak up, take part, and take initiative. This leads to stronger connections, more inclusive projects, and better outcomes for all.

      • Co-Building skills and structures

        Co-building refers to the process of developing capacities and systems together, with communities, institutions, and intermediaries working as equal partners. It moves beyond top-down training and instead emphasizes shared learning, mutual support, and lasting organizational capacity. There are two key approaches often used to support co-building:

        Joint Capacity-Building programs: Refers to collaborative training initiatives that involve both community members and institutional actors (e.g., municipalities, cooperatives, NGOs, energy agencies) learning side by side, rather than separately. In contrast to traditional learning which often separates "experts" from "participants", joint programs break this divide and help foster mutual understanding between citizens and institutions, define shared language around goals and methods and develop practical collaboration skills such as negotiation, facilitation, or collective governance. Examples include the COMETS and SONNET projects where local actors and institutions co-designed energy labs and workshops to explore inclusive innovation (Caramizaru & Uihlein, 2020; Foulds & Robison, 2022).

        Peer-to-Peer Exchanges: Refers to providing structured opportunities for communities, energy cooperatives, and local leaders to learn from each other, through site visits, storytelling, mentorship, or shared toolkits. Peer exchanges democratize knowledge by valuing local expertise, help scale best practices across regions and build confidence among new or hesitant communities. Examples include REScoop.eu network that runs peer mentoring across Europe to help new energy communities learn from experienced ones (REScoop, 2023).

      • Institutional support and partnerships

        The example from Križevci clearly shows how strong institutional support and cross-sector partnerships can lead to real community-driven change. When citizens, local government, utility companies, and national institutions work together, projects that once seemed ambitious become achievable. This kind of collaboration not only shares responsibility but also builds trust, which is essential for long-term success. The Križevci solar plant proves that partnerships across sectors are not only possible but necessary for effective energy transition.

        We also see how policy and community learning can support each other in powerful ways. Early pilot projects created space for learning and helped people see the value of local energy solutions. As confidence grew, so did participation. Clear and supportive national policies, like guaranteed electricity prices, gave the project financial stability and encouraged more citizen investment. This back-and-forth between grassroots learning and institutional backing shows that when policies respond to local needs and when communities are ready to engage, real progress can happen.

        In short, the Križevci case reminds us that institutional support is not just about funding or approvals. It’s about creating the right environment where people, ideas, and resources from different sectors can come together to build something greater than any group could achieve alone.

        The example from Gabrovo shows how strong leadership from local government and the right partnerships can turn an ambitious idea into a working reality. From the beginning, Gabrovo Municipality played an active role and not just as a supporter, but as a co-creator of the project. By providing land, navigating legal and regulatory barriers, and working closely with citizens and NGOs, the municipality helped shape a model that could work in Bulgaria’s unique context.

        Collaboration with Greenpeace Bulgaria, REScoop.eu, and other European partners brought in the technical knowledge, legal guidance, and inspiration needed to move from concept to launch. These cross-sector partnerships helped build both capacity and confidence. Citizens saw that they weren’t doing this alone and they had strong allies and clear support.

        Gabrovo’s story also highlights the importance of learning and adaptation. The city and its partners organized training sessions, public events, and information campaigns that helped people understand the idea of energy communities. As knowledge grew, so did interest and trust. At the same time, the project fed valuable lessons back to national and EU policymakers about what’s needed to make energy communities work, especially in regions where this approach is still new.

        In the end, Gabrovo reminds us that institutional support isn’t just about passing policies or securing funding. It’s about building an environment where people, public institutions, and civil society can collaborate, each bringing their own strengths to the table. When this happens, a community project becomes much more than just a solar plant. It becomes a model for how we can share power, literally and figuratively.

         

         

  • 4. Reflection and Shared Commitments

    As we come to the close of this module, it’s clear that community engagement is not a one-off activity or a single meeting. It is an ongoing process of building relationships, trust, and shared responsibility. Whether you are a citizen, a local authority, a business owner, or a policymaker, you are part of the energy transition and how you engage makes a real difference.

    We’ve seen that meaningful engagement requires fairness, trust, and transparency, and that inclusive tools, shared language, and co-ownership can transform how we work together. The examples from Križevci and Gabrovo remind us that communities are not waiting, they are already acting. But for those actions to succeed, they need support, structure, and space to grow.

    This is not just a technical shift, it’s a cultural one. To build strong, inclusive Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), we must be ready to listen differently, lead collaboratively, and design with others in mind.