Energy Efficient Communities

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia Serbia

Date of latest update: 2025-05-30

Description

Description (EN):

Less than 10% of all used energy comes from renewable sources in Croatia and Serbia. Lack of finances and general knowledge of energy market procedures are the main issues why small local municipalities don't invest more in energy efficient solutions. General public, especially in small communities, are often not included in informing and decision making processes and, therefore, not making the decision to individually contribute to energy efficient investment in their eminent society. Local municipalities from Croatia, Vladislavci, Gorjani and Strizivojna, as well as City of Subotica from Serbia have recognized the importance of establishment energy efficient infrastructure which will provide reduction of CO2 as contribution to the global attempts to answer the challenges of climate change and necessity to switch to renewable energy resources. NALED's has many years of experience in advocating and developing the regulatory framework, creating recommendations for improvement and cooperation with the private and public sector followed by network of members and partners at local and regional level. Goal of this project is to jointly prepare and develop concept model and implement pilot action for creating EE Communities in cross-border region. All relevant stakeholders will be involved in the project with the emphasis of including local residents of communities involved through the raising awareness campaign, examples of good practice and pilot actions. Project will educate target groups about the concept of energy communities, sustainable energy practices and enhanced community resilience. Main outputs of this project are: Concept models and pilot actions for establishment of Energy Efficient Communities in rural areas in cross-border region supported by development of joint small scale investment EE solutions as examples of good practice. Project is divided into 2 work packages: Development of EE Communities concept and pilot models for rural communities in cross-border region and Investment in EE infrastructure. Each activity under work packages is carefully and logically planned to complement each other. Cross-border cooperation and project activities from this project will introduce innovative approach in development of concept model and pilot actions for creating energy efficient communities; a new approach towards implementation of renewable energy sources and principles of circular economy. Project main focus are also local residents: to educate, advocate, promote and actively participate in project activities and, as a result, to create energy self-sufficient, sustainable, participating and resilient community for the future that provides excellent quality of life for its' inhabitants. Similarities in territory, climate and natural resources as well as the fact that energy communities as unknown practices in both countries have inspired creation of this project partnership with each partners' specialized role and experience.

Actual Achievements (EN):

During 1st reporting period, all project partners participated and organized on site/on line project meetings: 1st meeting was hosted by Lead partner in Subotica on 19.06.2024 where project partners discussed joint implementation of project activities and project dynamics. The second project partner meeting was hosted by PP3 Gorjani after the opening conference on 11.07.2024. Partners detailed realisation of each planned activity in this reporting period and assigned duties. Several meetings where held online via zoom platform (09.09.2024. and 03.10.2024.) to discuss specific topics: organization of study trip, public procurement, request for modification. An onsite meeting on 19.11.2024. in Subotica related to the planning of the project activities . PP NALED was responsible for the appointment and establishment of expert group. The task of the expert group is to develop models for energy efficient communities (communities of renewable energy sources, hereinafter referred to as EEC). The expert group is coordinated by individuals appointed to the positions of Policy and Research Specialist and Energy Engineer. In total, 8 people was appointed into expert group. 1st study trip was organized by NALED from 25-27.11.2024 in Vienna, Austria. Participants visited the Austrian Energy Agency, Wien Energie and BENÖ (Bioenergy Lower Austria, St. Pölten) to gain first-hand practical knowledge and know-how as well as see example of best practices of established energy communities. A detailed report from the study trip is submitted within the attachment in the “Report annexes”.Public procurement procuderus are ongoing, LP procurement procedure for the TD for procurement expert was finished and the contract was signed. During the reporting period, all PP directly contributed to the following deliverables: D.1.1.1 Expert group established/appointed one representative in the expert group; D.1.1.2 Comparative analysis of EU best practices including lessons learned produced; D.1.4.1 Communication and visibility plan (CVP) developed; D.2.3.2. Opening conference organized- participated in the opening conference LP also requested a Project change modification (Change of budget/Reallocation of the budget funds-B2B software), which was approved and modification was executed in JEMS. Lead partner received advanced payment in the amount of 540.714,78 EUR, and transferred predetermined amounts to the PP.

Project outputs: The Concept model for Energy Efficient Communities in the cross-border region(EN)
Pilot action of mapping and testing solar potentials in rural areas in cross-border region. (EN)

Thematic information

Renewable energy

Priority: (VI-A_HR-S_2) Cooperating for greener and climate change resilient programme area

Priority specific objective: RSO2.2. Promoting renewable energy in accordance with Directive (EU) 2018/2001, including the sustainability criteria set out therein

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 044 Energy efficiency renovation or energy efficiency measures regarding public infrastructure, demonstration projects and supporting measures

Partners (5)

Lead Partner: Grad Subotica

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 100444843

Address: Trg slobode, 24000 Subotica, Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.subotica.rs

Total budget: EUR 937 377.76

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 796 771.09

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 140 606.67

Contractors:

Name: EU PROJEKTI PCM, Pancevo
VAT registration or tax identification number: 107952279

Nacionalna alijansa za lokalni ekonomski razvoj

Name: Nacionalna alijansa za lokalni ekonomski razvoj

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 104478656

Address: Makedonska, 11103 Beograd, Serbia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://naled.rs/

Total budget: EUR 228 860.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 194 531.68

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 329.12

Općina Strizivojna

Name: Općina Strizivojna

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 71870382821

Address: Ul. Braće Radić , 31410 Strizivojna, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.strizivojna.hr/

Total budget: EUR 339 820.46

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 288 847.39

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 50 973.07

Contractors:

Name: Parangal d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 43130600871
Name: INEL d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 08804394967

Općina Gorjani

Name: Općina Gorjani

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 05866611479

Address: Kula, 31422 Gorjani, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Total budget: EUR 247 923.48

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 210 734.95

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 37 188.53

Contractors:

Name: Glas Slavonije d.d.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 87192735882
Name: Dar d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 26045420112
Name: Catering Sokak d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 92798887434

Općina Vladislavci

Name: Općina Vladislavci

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 17797796502

Address: Kralja Tomislava, 31404 Vladislavci, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://opcina-vladislavci.hr/

Total budget: EUR 404 716.61

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 344 009.11

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 60 707.50

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Energy Efficient Communities

Project acronym: ENGAGE

Project ID: HR-RS00131

Project start date: 2024-06-15

Project end date: 2026-02-14

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Rescoop.EU (EN) | REScoops are energy cooperatives, a business model where citizens jointly own and participate in renewable energy or energy efficiency projects. We also refer to REScoops as citizen or renewable energy communities. REScoops do not necessarily have the legal statute of a cooperative, but they distinguish themselves by the way they do business. REScoops look into all aspects of the energy transition including electricity (production, supply, grid management, etc.), energy savings, heating & cooling and transportation. All across Europe, citizens are taking action, and many have recognised the importance of teaming up with their municipalities. (EN), REPowerEU (EN) | To reduce dependency on foreign fossil fuels, to save almost 20% of energy consumption, to double the additional deployment of renewables (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 158 699.11

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 834 894.22

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 1 834 894.22. Co-financing rate, 85.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I2.4 - Energy power plants and EE measures in Strizivojna - EUR 183 138.25 - country: Hrvatska (HR), town: Strizivojna, street: , , postal_code: , Panonska Hrvatska (HR02), Osječko-baranjska županija (HR025)
I2.3 - Energy power plants and EE measures in Gorjani - EUR 110 623.44 - country: Hrvatska (HR), town: Gorjani, street: , , postal_code: , Panonska Hrvatska (HR02), Osječko-baranjska županija (HR025)
I2.2 - Energy power plants and EE measures in Vladislavci - EUR 272 250.00 - country: Hrvatska (HR), town: Vladislavci, street: , , postal_code: , Panonska Hrvatska (HR02), Osječko-baranjska županija (HR025)
I2.1 - Solar energy power plants in Subotica - EUR 672 000.00 - country: Serbia (RS), town: Subotica, Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (RS12), Severnobačka oblast (RS125)

Deliverables:

Expert group established.
Potential communities for the development of EE communities concept models mapped.
Catalogue of criteria for assessing potential for establishing EEC created
Relevant regulatory framework for establishing EEC model in Serbia and Croatia analyzed.
Comparative analysis of EU best practices including lessons learned produced.
EEC models for mapped rural communities developed
Policy paper for the improvement of regulatory framework for EEC models developed.
EEC model tested and implemented
Communication
and visibility plan
(CVP) developed.
Raising
awareness
campaign
designed and
conducted.
Thematic info
days conducted.
Final conference
organized.
Solar power plants installed
EE works supervized
Solar public lighting installed
15 solar bus stops installed
1 energy renovation in Dopsin completed
1 solar bench and 2 smart tables installed
1 heat pump installed
3 thematic events organized
Opening conference organized

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal Project is contributing in achieving European Green Deal in clean energy transition, which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the quality of life of our citizens:
-ensuring a secure and affordable energy supply
-participating in a fully integrated, interconnected and digitalised EU energy market
-prioritising energy efficiency, improving the energy performance of public buildings
EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion EUSAIR has a limited focus on areas of mutual interest with high relevance for the Adriatic-Ionian countries. It is built on four thematic pillars. This project is in common with third theme – Environmental quality.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion Priority Area 2 of the EUSDR: "to encourage more sustainable energy":
- To help to achieve the national targets based on the Europe 2030 climate and energy targets
- To remove existing bottlenecks in energy to fulfill the goals of the Energy Union within the Danube Region
- To better interconnect regions by joint activities with relevant initiatives and institutions
Other The project idea and all the activities are in compliance with national regulations and legislation both in Croatia (Croatia's National Environmental Strategy; National Environmental Action Plan, NEAP,) and Serbia (National Strategies for sustainable development and Environmental Approximation)
The energy efficiency sphere in the Republic of Serbia is regulated mainly by the Law on Efficient Use of Energy and its bylaws, while the Law on Planning and Construction and its bylaws regulate the requirements regarding the energy properties of buildings. The Energy Law defines the objectives of energy policy and instruments for its implementation. Three basic instruments for the implementation of the Serbian energy policy envisaged by the Law on Energy are: Energy Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia, Program for Implementation of the Strategy and Energy Balance. Energy efficiency is also recognized as a priority in the Sustainable Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:

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

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 IPA Croatia Serbia

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-05-30

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

27 / 27 (100%)

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

94 / 94 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Energy Efficient Communities

Description

Thematic information

Partners (5)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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