Marko Nedeljković for Energetski Portal: Local Governments are Key Allies for Citizens in Energy Transition
The concept of energy communities in Serbia is slowly moving from the abstract into a real opportunity for the democratization of energy. Our Project Manager, Marko Nedeljković, spoke to the new issue of Energetski Portal about what is needed for citizen energy to truly come to life.
The conversation focused on the recently published Guide for Local Self-Governments, a practical tool we developed to help cities and municipalities find their role in supporting energy communities.
More Than a Technical Issue – A Social Phenomenon
In the interview, Marko emphasized that energy communities should not be viewed solely through technical parameters, but primarily as a social phenomenon. They bring a fundamental shift - transforming citizens from passive consumers who merely pay bills into active participants who plan, make decisions, and share the benefits of energy production.
"Energy communities carry strong social benefits. They gather people around a common goal, strengthen trust within the community, and foster a culture of cooperation," Marko emphasized.
A Practical Tool for Cities and Municipalities
The idea for creating the Guide stemmed from field work and conversations with citizens in Vranje, Pirot, and Niš. Citizens need allies, and their first and most important ally, alongside their neighbors, is their local self-government.
However, municipalities often have the resources but lack a clear picture of where to start. That is why the Guide is not a theoretical document, but a catalog of 22 practical support models. It defines four key roles that local self-government units (LSGs) can take on:
Policymaker and Local Regulator – Setting the "rules of the game".
Promoter and Educator – Building trust and motivating citizens.
Facilitator and Coordinator – An operational role that connects processes.
Partner and Financial Support – Direct participation in projects to reduce risk.
The key message of the Guide is that there is no single universal solution. Larger cities can combine all roles, while smaller municipalities might start as promoters and gradually introduce financial support. It is crucial that LSGs know how to "change hats" depending on the community's needs.
A Look into the Future: The First Registered Community Soon?
Although Serbia still faces regulatory barriers and an incomplete secondary legislative framework, the potential is significant. As an example of good practice in the region, Marko cited Križevci in Croatia, where a solar power plant on the roof of the city market is fully owned by citizens, a model illustrating how the city and citizens can be partners.
At the end of the conversation, Marko expressed optimism for the coming year:
"The potential success is very clear and measurable - the first officially registered energy community in Serbia. I believe it is realistic for this to happen in the coming year," Marko concluded.
We invite representatives of local self-governments, as well as all interested citizens, to download the Guide from our website and explore which support models are most useful for their environment.
📄 You can read the full interview HERE .