Energy Communities and Unusual Allies: PET at the New Energy Academy in Sofia
The energy transition is often discussed in terms of technology and investment. But in rural communities, the real question is a human one: who takes part, who benefits, and who gets to decide. That question shaped seven months of work for PET’s Project Manager, Marko Nedeljković, as a participant in the New Energy Creators 2026 programme.
From 15 to 17 October 2026, Marko joined the closing activities of the programme and the New Energy Academy Forum in Sofia, Bulgaria, alongside climate and energy professionals from across Southeast Europe and neighbouring countries.
Seven months of New Energy Creators
New Energy Creators is part of the New Energy Academy, an initiative of the European Climate Foundation (ECF). The 2026 edition began with an in-person meeting in Skopje in March and continued through online workshops, mentoring sessions and hands-on work developing and testing new project ideas.
The focus was on people rather than infrastructure: how to engage stakeholders, involve communities and build projects together with them. Participants worked on understanding local communities, collaborating with diverse stakeholders and designing solutions that answer people’s real needs and priorities.
Energy communities as a path to rural revitalisation
For Marko, the programme was a chance to develop an idea rooted in PET’s ongoing work in southern Serbia: using energy communities and cooperatives as drivers of rural revitalisation.
Villages facing depopulation and limited economic opportunities could gain more from the energy transition than lower bills. Community-owned energy can keep value local, create new forms of cooperation and give citizens a direct stake in their community’s future. Working with colleagues from different countries added valuable perspectives on the social side of the transition and on why citizens need to be part of shaping it from the start.
Closing the programme in Sofia
The closing meeting on 15 and 16 October gave participants space to share their progress, reflect on lessons learned and explore next steps for their initiatives. Part of the programme took place in the natural surroundings of Vitosha Mountain, where collaborative activities helped participants connect and exchange ideas beyond the usual workshop format.
Working with Unusual Allies
On 17 October, Marko attended the New Energy Academy Forum, which brought together alumni from previous editions of the Academy. This year’s theme, Working with Unusual Allies, explored how cooperation beyond traditional networks can strengthen climate and energy initiatives.
Through discussions, practical workshops and exchanges with organisations such as Fine Acts, The Collective and SCION, participants looked at the links between art and activism, new ways of engaging citizens and the role technology can play in tackling environmental challenges.
Just as valuable were the conversations outside the formal programme: reconnecting with colleagues, meeting new ones and comparing notes with people working on similar challenges across the region.
What it means for PET
For PET, New Energy Creators and the Forum are another step towards stronger regional partnerships and towards bringing new approaches to citizen participation and community energy into our work in Serbia.
We thank the European Climate Foundation for supporting the New Energy Academy, and the Open Space Collective team for creating such a welcoming and collaborative learning environment.
