The European Energy Communities Facility has a Strategic Board that ensures its activities and outputs are truly aligned with the reality of energy communities and financing institutions. By gathering representatives from energy communities, financial institutions (banks and community grant mechanisms), policy makers, and national specialists, this group of experts brings multiple perspectives to the project.
The Strategic Board met for the first time in Brussels on 27 March. In addition to providing an opportunity to get to know each other and reflect on the development of the first months of the project, this meeting allowed board members to validate the eligibility and evaluation criteria that the Facility will adopt for its grant scheme. “The board’s input ensures a fair and effective selection process that takes into account the diverse realities of energy communities across different national contexts,” explained Sofia Corsi, coordinator of the Facility.
In the future, this group of experts will also share its views on the results of the first call for applications, the Facility’s capacity building programme, and project’s closing event. Moreover, its advice will help shape the continuation of the project and its legacy.
The composition of the board
The Strategic Board is composed of several representatives from nine organisations and two rotatory seats. They are the following:
DG ENER
The European Commission’s Directorate General for Energy is responsible for the European Union's energy policy, which focuses on delivering secure, sustainable, and affordable energy for Europe. DG ENER is represented by Achille Hannoset, policy officer working on consumers, local initiatives, and just transition, and Vera Kissler, policy officer working on renewables and energy system integration policy.
CINEA
CINEA is the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency of the European Commission. CINEA plays a key role in supporting the EU Green Deal through the efficient and effective implementation of its delegated programmes. CINEA is represented by Maria Laguna, Head of CINEA’s Consumers, Built Environment, Products & Industry Sector; Silvia Vivarelli, Senior Project Adviser, and Talia Brun, project adviser.
The European Climate Foundation
The European Climate Foundation is a major philanthropic initiative working with over 700 partners to foster the net-zero transition. The European Climate Foundation is represented by Molly Walsh, director of the Clean Power Programme.
Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland
Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland works with householders, businesses, communities and government in Ireland to create a cleaner energy future. Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland is represented by Gillian Baker, Programme Manager.
GoParity
Goparity is an impact finance and investment platform that empowers people and companies to actively contribute to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Goparity is represented by Nuno Brito Jorge, Co-founder and CEO.
Joule Assets
Joule Assets is a company that supports the access to financing for energy efficiency and renewables projects. Joule Assets is represented by Jessica Stromback, Managing Director.
OÖ Energiesparverband
OÖ Energiesparverband is the regional energy agency of Upper Austria and the centre for independent energy information. OÖ Energiesparverband is represented by Christiane Egger, Deputy manager.
FEDARENE
FEDARENE is the primary European network of regional organisations which implement, coordinate and facilitate energy and environment policies. The federation boasts more than 80 member energy agencies and regions in 23 EU countries. FEDARENE is part of the European Energy Communities Facility consortium.
Energy Cities
Energy Cities, the European learning community for future-proof cities, is a network of several hundred local authority representatives from 30 countries. It empowers cities and citizens to shape and transition to a future-proofed society. Energy Cities is part of the European Energy Communities Facility consortium.
REScoop.eu
REScoop.eu is the European federation of energy communities, a growing network of 2,500 energy communities from across Europe and their 2 million citizens active in the energy transition. REScoop.eu is the coordinator of the European Energy Communities Facility.
Rotating seats
The strategic board also have two rotating chairs for national advisors representing different regions of Europe. On 27 March, a rotatory chair was allocated to Energie Samen, the Dutch national federation of energy cooperatives.