Supporting local authorities to adopt measures to properly commit with the Covenant of Mayors

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Italy-Croatia

Date of latest update: 2026-01-21

Description

Description (EN):

The EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy brings together thousands of local governments that want to secure a better future for their citizens. The Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (CoM), which has been launched in 2008, represent the mainstream European voluntary movement involving local authorities in the development and implementation of sustainable energy and climate governance policies. Covenant of Mayors represents then an instrument useful to increase the sustainable governance policies of the territories involved in CO-MAY project proposal. The project overall objective is the to develop a joint collaboration process enhancing the institutional and strategic capacities of the three through the exchange of good practices, the support of less experienced cities, the building and upgrade of their skills on their sustainable governance policies of the partners in line with commitments requested by the Covenant of Mayors. In line with the project main objective, CO-MAY intends to realise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and to produce the revision and the upgrade of the three project partners' Covenant of Mayors action plans. The project methodology approach emphasizes the cross-border nature of the project: it is based on a strong cooperation dimension, ensuring synergies and competencies of partners with particular regards to the exchange of experiences/best practices and the mutual and cross-border support according to the level of knowledge of the partners. Particularly, less experienced local authorities (Municipality of Mesagne and Municipality of Pietracatella) will be supported by Municipality of Labin building the needed skills to easily adapt the commitments requested by the CoM. This cross-border collaboration acts for the needed approach to achieve project goals, and at the same time represents the main innovative aspect as thanks to the project there will be an increase of governance policy capacities connected with the Covenant of Mayors.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The CO-MAY project helped three small towns—Mesagne, Labin, and Pietracatella—take real steps to fight climate change. The project’s most important result was that all three municipalities successfully updated their Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs). These plans are the key local tools to reduce pollution, save energy, and make cities more resilient. The updated strategies now include concrete actions—such as energy-saving measures for public buildings, the redesign of green spaces, and stronger local cooperation. Most importantly, the project built long-term relationships that will continue to benefit each town beyond CO-MAY's duration. At the beginning, each town shared a common challenge: how to turn climate promises into real actions. Many small and medium-sized municipalities across the Italy–Croatia area had joined the Covenant of Mayors, committing to reducing CO₂ emissions. But turning these commitments into action was difficult—due to a lack of funding, expertise, and coordination. CO-MAY brought together three public authorities with different levels of experience, encouraging them to learn from each other and work together. The Municipality of Mesagne (Italy) led the project and coordinated activities. It carried out technical studies to improve energy performance in two key public buildings: the municipal stadium and city hall. These studies will help the town invest in clean energy and reduce consumption in the coming years. The Municipality of Labin (Croatia) brought valuable experience to the group. It included a green redesign of Park Kature into its updated climate plan. The park project helps Labin adapt to climate change and gives people a greener, healthier place to gather. Labin also hosted a fun and creative community event called “Živa Placa”, where locals—especially young people—took part in recycling and energy-awareness workshops in the town square. The Municipality of Pietracatella (Italy) revised its old energy plan from 2012 into a new, modern action plan that now includes climate adaptation strategies. Although smaller and less experienced, the town showed strong community spirit. It organized workshops on waste reduction, green spaces, and sustainable living. It also hosted a cross-border event to share ideas on energy communities—a promising way for citizens to work together to produce and share renewable energy. Citizens, schools, local associations, and public officials were involved throughout the project. Their interest and participation showed that climate action is not only for experts—it’s for everyone. As one local teacher in Pietracatella shared, “Thanks to this project, our students now understand how climate change affects their lives—and how they can be part of the solution.” At the end of the project, the partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), committing to continued cooperation in sustainable energy and climate action. This agreement shows that CO-MAY wasn’t just a one-time project—it created a network and vision for the future. The legacy of CO-MAY is already visible: - Each partner now has an up-to-date and realistic action plan to fight climate change. - Public buildings and green areas are ready for energy-saving improvements. - Citizens have a better understanding of what local climate action means. - Municipalities are better prepared to apply for future EU funding and continue implementing their plans. In the coming years, the towns plan to follow up with investment projects based on the studies and strategies developed during CO-MAY. They will also continue working together, supporting each other through joint initiatives and experience sharing. CO-MAY proves that even small municipalities can lead the way toward a more sustainable future—especially when they work together.

Project outputs: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)(EN)
Upgrade or revision of project partners' Covenant of Mayors action plans(EN)

Thematic information

Institutional cooperation and cooperation networks

Priority: (VI-A_I-Hr_5) Integrated governance for stronger cooperation

Priority specific objective: ISO6.6. Other actions to support better cooperation governance (all strands)

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO6 (ISO1) A better cooperation governance

Type of intervention: 173 Enhancing institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders to implement territorial cooperation projects and initiatives in a cross-border, transnational, maritime and inter-regional context

Partners (3)

Lead Partner: Comune di Mesagne

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 00081030744 | 00081030744 | info@pec.comune.mesagne.br.it (EN)

Department: Not available

Address: Via Roma, 72023 Mesagne, Italy

Department address: Via Roma, 72023 Mesagne, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.comune.mesagne.br.it/

Total budget: EUR 113 794.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 113 794.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Contractors:

Name: Orange Pubic Management Srl
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02336400748
Name: Massimo Greco
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02679550836
Name: Massimiliano Toraldo
VAT registration or tax identification number: 05000760750

Comune di Pietracatella

Name: Comune di Pietracatella

Department: not available

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 00195810700 | 00195810700 | comune.pietracatella@pec.it (EN)

Address: Via Cavatoio, 86040 Municipality of Pietracatella (CB), Italy

Department address: Via Cavatoio, 86040 Municipality of Pietracatella, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.comune.pietracatella.cb.it/hh/index.php

Total budget: EUR 45 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 45 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Contractors:

Name: EuRelations GEIE
VAT registration or tax identification number: 01479610709
Name: Arcangelo Bicchieri
VAT registration or tax identification number: BCCRNG74C19L049F

Grad Labin

Name: Grad Labin

Department: Administrative Department for the economy and EU projects

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 19041331726 | 19041331726

Address: Titov trg, 52220 Labin, Croatia

Department address: Titov trg, 52220 Labin, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.labin.hr

Total budget: EUR 90 350.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 72 280.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 18 070.00

Contractors:

Name: Zelena energetska zadruga
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR3278092880
Name: Projekt Jednoako Razvoj
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR09575099930
Name: OPOP Studio j.d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR02302056041
Name: Alvona
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR32489833747
Name: EZEA D.O.O.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR91274824986
Name: SENSUM d.o.o
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR83240465383

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Pietracatella

Supporting local authorities to adopt measures to properly commit with the Covenant of Mayors

Partners and Projects info

City of Labin

Supporting local authorities to adopt measures to properly commit with the Covenant of Mayors

Partners and Projects info

Comune di Mesagne

Supporting local authorities to adopt measures to properly commit with the Covenant of Mayors

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Supporting local authorities to adopt measures to properly commit with the Covenant of Mayors

Project acronym: CO-MAY

Project ID: ITHR0400244

Project start date: 2023-07-01

Project end date: 2024-12-31

Project status: closed

Relevant linked projects:

Programme 2014 - 2020 Interreg Europe - project acronym: SUPPORT (EN) | Focused on the Covenant of mayors and the SEAP, this project aims to improve the coordination and performance of policy instruments intended to implement national and regional energy efficiency programmes at local level.
To contribute to achieve EU objectives on energy efficiency , SUPPORT combines different kinds of interregional learning activities, to foster exchange among partners and between partners and stakeholders. Partners working both separately and jointly analyzed their regional backgrounds in the field of energy policies, identifying and exchanging good practices as well as defining action plans to improve the performance of their energy policy instruments. (EN), Programme 2014 - 2020 INTERREG VB Northern Periphery and Arctic - project acronym: e-Lighthouse (EN) | The e-Lighthouse project, in the framework of the Covenant of mayors, tackle the growing problem of global warming and increasing emissions by bringing added value to the Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP) of the partner towns and regions.
e-Lighthouse will raise awareness of energy efficiency and encourage most stakeholders in the regions to use best practices gathered. This project improved local and regional monitoring methodologies and practices enhancing the effectiveness of the SEAP already developed.
The e-Lighthouse project developed methods/recommendations for actions to increase energy efficiency governance and published a strategy document called "How to act as a good CoM/SEAP organization".
e-Lighthouse partners encouraged other local and regional organizations to sign the new joint Covenant of Mayors, to commit to energy saving at the political decision-making level. (EN), INTERREG IPA CBC ITALY–ALBANIA–MONTENEGRO PROGRAMME - project acronym: CO-CLEAN (EN) | COCLEAN project, adhering to the vision of the Covenant of Mayors and EU Directive 2018/2001, aims to implement concrete and innovative actions in the energy saving sector, using a cross-border approach and increasing the governance policies on energy for the involved partners.
The project aims to face the environmental problem related to energy and climate change in the Mediterranean area through a cross-border approach to reduce inequalities of know-how between project partners and creating a permanent network to promote the exchange of good practices, data and information on energy efficiency. In particular, taking advantage of the experience matured by Italian municipalities involved in CO-CLEAN, that have already developed a series of good practices in the field of energy saving and energy efficiency of public buildings. (EN)

Relevant mentions and prizes:

Mention on the Rete dei Comuni Sostenibili (Sustainable Municipalities Network) for the final event and successful implementation of the CO-MAY project, highlighting its contribution to local sustainability governance and cross-border cooperation.
(Title of the article: "Mesagne. Progetto CO-MAY Programma Interreg VI-A Italia-Croazia 2021/2027, l’incontro finale", published on 17 December 2024 on www.comunisostenibili.eu)(EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 249 744.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 199 795.20

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 91.71%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 199 795.20. Co-financing rate, 91.71%.
Others: Amount, EUR 31 878.80.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Workshop for the exchange of best practices
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between local authorities involved in the project
Production of e-book for the dissemination of activities/results
Realization of the CoM’s action plan - Municipality of Mesagne
Revision of the CoM’s action plan - Municipality of Pietracatella
Revision of the CoM’s action plan (SECAP) – Municipality of Labin
Organization of a series of workshops with Labin local community (based on living streets concept)
Organization of 1 workshop with the Mesagne local community (topic green procurement)
Organization of 3 workshops with Pietracatella's local community
Organization of 1 transnational workshop in Pietracatella (topic: energy communities)
Development of the strategy of green urban renewal

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion CO-MAY is in line with the 2nd EUSAIR's pillar in particular with the 3rd topic "Energy networks" concerning energy system in the Adriatic-Ionian Region that encourage better transport and energy connections for the development of macro-region.
The project aims to improve the connectivity and the energy efficiency plans between Italy and Croatia, this would be realised particularly through the following deliverables:
- D.1.1.1 – workshop (LP) to analyze the state of the art of partners' commitment with the CoM/SEAP and promote a positive exchange of know how and best practices among partners about energy for a further common development of the Adriatic-Ionian Region;
- D.1.1.2 – preparation and signature of a MoU;
- D.1.2.1 - CoM’s action plan - Municipality of Mesagne;
- D.1.2.2 - Revision of the CoM’s action plan of Municipality of Pietracatella
- D.1.2.3 - Revision of the CoM’s action plan (SECAP) – Municipality of Labin - to upgrade and ameliorate the implementation of the activities and plans foreseen by the Covenant of mayors.
CO-MAY results aligned with Pillar 3 with Flagship's Indicative actions climate change adaptation, risks prevention, public participation, open decision-making process of territorial planning, particularly through the following deliverables:
- D.1.2.4 - series of workshops with Labin local community
- D.1.2.5 - 1 workshop with the Mesagne local community.
- D.1.2.6 - 3 workshops with Pietracatella's local community about:
- door to door separate collection of waste;
- urban forestry;
- virtuous individual behaviors for the reduction of climate change.
- D.1.2.7 - 1 transnational workshop in Pietracatella on energy communities;
- D.1.2.8 - Development of the strategy of green urban renewal.
PP3, in line with the Covenant of Mayors, has undertaken to promote actions to combat climate change, as well as the creation of an energy community by adhering to the BeComE project by Legambiente, the Kyoto Club and Azzero CO2.
EuropeanGreenDeal
CO-MAY contributes to the Green deal pillar "Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario" that shows a pathway for the global energy sector to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
In particular this Green Deal specific objective aim to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector (trucks, city buses, and long-distance buses) which are responsible for over 6% of total EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The CO-MAY project partners, through this project, will improve their knowledge and skills in order to adapt their energy governance and policies in order make their cities more green and sustainable reducing deeply their emissions.
Other The project contributes positively to the international and national strategies of the Paris agreement with concrete actions that increase the amount of energy produced from renewable sources.
CO-MAY builds on an essential European Directive issued in the domain of energy efficiency:
- The Energy Efficiency Directive 2018/2002/EU62, which built on the 20% energy efficiency target for 2020 and set a 2030 headline target of at least 32,5% of the target for the overall share of energy from renewable sources in the final consumption of the Union in 2030.
Other CO-MAY builds on several goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular:
- goal n° 7 "ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all";
- goal n° 11"make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable;
- goal n° 13 "take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts".
Other CO-MAY intends to concretely reach goals of EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy because it intend to: - To Analyze the best practices in the Programme Region and to analyze the state of the art of partners' commitment with the CoM/SEAP and promote a positive exchange of know how and best practices among partners; - To realize Realization of the CoM’s action plan of Municipality of Mesagne; -To revise the the CoM’s action plan of Municipality of Pietracatella; - To revise the CoM’s action plan (SECAP) of Municipality of Labin; -To Organize a series of workshops with Labin local community (based on living streets concept – topics of workshop are in any case in line with CoM principle that is about energy and climate change, and more in general, green economy); -To Organize 1 workshop with the Mesagne local community (topic green procurement); - To Organize of 3 workshops with Pietracatella's local community about door to door separate collection of waste, urban forestry and to the reduction of emissions, virtuous individual behaviors for the reduction of climate change and awareness about carbon accounting. Despite the fact that the topic of these workshops are not directly linked with the renewable energy topic, the are in line with the principles of the CoM because connected to the climate&change and green economy; - To organize 1 transnational workshop in Pietracatella (topic: energy communities) – the workshop will be cross-border; - To prepare a Development of the strategy of green urban renewal based on the green urban renewal for the recovery and redevelopment of urban spaces for the Municipality of Labin; - To sign a MoU between local authorities, indicating a common line of action in relation to CoM activities and the implementation of the Sustainable energy Plan. All the above mentioned activities will bring an added value to CO-MAY results that represent the innovation features about other project and actions in which partners were previously involve

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 086 - Joint administrative or legal agreements signed, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO86) Joint administrative or legal agreements signed: 1.0
(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 3.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:

Delivered result indicator(s):

(RCR84) Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion: 3.0

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Italy-Croatia

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-01

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

82 / 82 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

556 / 556 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Supporting local authorities to adopt measures to properly commit with the Covenant of Mayors

Description

Thematic information

Partners (3)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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