Projects in progress

New energy concepts, being introduced as the energy transition proceeds, advocate citizen energy initiatives and thereby are shifting the current boundaries between the energy system and consumers, because electricity from renewable sources is produced on the level of consumers. Such shifts currently occur mostly on the local level, with most benefits going to local communities, SMEs and citizens who generate electricity. To speed up these processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the transition process should be entrusted to the local level. Therefore the main target groups in this Project are: (i) creators of public opinion, policy makers, and decision makers in local communities; (ii) non-governmental organisations that should participate in energy transition activities; (iii) public institutions in local communities (cities and municipalities, educational institution, utilities, cultural institutions, etc.); and (iv) local SMEs. Since energy transition processes should be covered by media outlets that cover this sector, which requires sound understanding of the transition process, editors and journalists of BiH media outlets have also been identified as a target group.

Citizens and the business community in BiH are also recognised as direct beneficiaries of the Project, although they currently are not aware of the options of the implementation of energy transition projects on the local level, of the consequences of the failure to implement such projects, nor of the opportunities offered by a sustainable energy transition. The implementation of project activities that relate to local communities has been arranged in the municipalities of Gračanica, Teslić, Maglaj, Tešanj, Lopare, and Šamac, while other municipalities that express interest may also join the project.

The Project will be implemented from 15th July 2022 until 15th July 2023, with financial support of the Open Society Fund of BiH.

The Project includes the following components:

A) Development of a study and argument cards entitled „Debunking Renewable Energy Myths.“
B) Preparation of the curriculum and manual, and organisation of a three-day training „Energy Transition School.“
C) Working with local communities to develop the concept: Citizen energy in local communities.
D) Working with the media on current issues in energy transition.

The Project envisaged attainment of the following Specific Objectives:

A) Informing the public/target groups about the costs of generating electricity from different sources, as well as possible options for investment and profit generation for individual and group consumers on the local level.

B) Strengthening the capacity of civil society to participate in the development of initiatives/projects to ensure fair energy transition on the local level through organisation of trainings and workshops – at least 25 NGO representatives will be trained and additionally educated in the issues related to the implementation of energy transition on the local level.

C) Identification of concrete measures/initiatives on the level of local communities/municipalities that permit the implementation of the concept of citizen energy from renewable sources and highlight the benefits for local communities, including examples of good practice – at least three local community projects will be identified adn prepared for implementation.

D) Strengthen professional and science-based reporting on the participation of citizens in energy transition – after training and workshops, at least five journalists published articles about topics related to citizen energy and social innovations in energy transition, as a result of previous examples of good practices.