Advancing Local Energy Transition in Serbia
The "Energy Managers in Local Energy Transition" project, supported by the German Development Cooperation (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in Serbia, is a key initiative designed to accelerate Serbia's shift towards sustainable energy systems. A core objective is to empower Energy Managers in local self-governments and other public entities, such as Public Utility Companies and local agencies, by enhancing their knowledge and capacities. The primary aim is to enable these professionals to understand their pivotal role, and that of their Local Self-Governments (LSG), in citizen-led energy initiatives, how they can effectively participate, and how both they and the LSG can support energy communities. PET's involvement provides crucial technical expertise and direct support to these local actors.
Vrdnik Training - A Foundational Step for Energy Managers
As a central component of this project, PET provided significant technical support during a meeting of the Energy Managers Network. This event, coordinated by the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, brought together over 50 energy managers from local self-governments, public utility companies, and public agencies across Serbia. The intensive training sessions took place from June 4th to 6th, 2025, in Vrdnik, Serbia.
Comprehensive Content and Interactive Approach
PET delivered comprehensive training focused on citizen energy initiatives and energy communities, building capacities among the energy managers. The sessions covered:
Foundational Concepts: Basics of citizen energy and energy communities.
Governance and Operational Models: Principles for establishing energy communities and leading citizen energy initiatives within the Serbian context.
Technical Aspects: Exploration of technical possibilities and renewable energy technologies, including wind power, solar energy, e-mobility, and retrofitting.
Expanded Potentials: Discussions about additional potentials of energy communities, including concepts like e-mobility, retrofitting, and social entrepreneurship.
Financial Models: Detailed information on financial models and sources, including crowdfunding and crowdinvesting. Guest speakers from Elektropionir contributed to this segment.
Engagement Strategies: The training concluded with an elaboration on stakeholder and citizen engagement, as well as advocacy strategies and available methods.
The training methodology was highly interactive, blending concise theoretical inputs with numerous practical examples and case studies from both the EU and Serbia. These were complemented by brainstorming sessions, interactive discussions in small groups, and role-playing exercises. PET's team of experts, including Bojan Gajić, Tanja Popovicki, Marko Nedeljković, and Dejan Ivezić PhD, expertly led these sessions.
Positive Outcomes and Future Momentum
The training evaluation results indicate its significant success and positive impact. Over 85% of participants expressed high satisfaction with the training. Notably, 100% of participants reported an increased interest in being involved in citizen energy initiatives in the future, and over 95% indicated a desire for additional training on this topic.
Participants identified financial models and collective financing (over 40%) as the most relevant topics for them , followed by technical opportunities and solutions for energy communities (27%). A clear need for more in-depth knowledge was expressed regarding technical options (27%), governance and operational models (22%), and collective financing (22%). The training methodology, along with the selection of trainers, topics, and relevant cases, was highlighted as particularly valuable by participants.
Fostering Sustainable Networks
Beyond the direct training, PET is also actively engaged in other critical project activities aimed at building lasting capacity:
Train the Trainers (ToT) Program: PET provided expertise in the selection of future trainees and will support the process of further capacity building for energy managers through the design and delivery of the technical module on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources within the ToT program.
Energy Managers' Association: PET initiated and facilitated an intensive discussion among energy managers regarding the establishment of an Energy Managers' Association in Serbia. While initial discussions revealed varied perspectives on the structure and purpose of such an association, indicating strategic uncertainties, this process underscored the need for a more considered and strategic approach to its eventual establishment.
Through these integrated efforts, PET is directly contributing to building crucial local capacities, addressing existing knowledge gaps, and fostering an empowered network of local actors essential for driving sustainable energy practices and enhancing climate resilience across Serbia under the GIZ-supported framework.
