Inspired by the Polish legend of St. Mary's trumpet call, a symbol of mobilisation and community power, the European Energy Communities Forum in Kraków served as a rallying cry—a call to action and reminder of hope amid renewed conflicts, climate disruption, and economic instability. The two day event brought together 180 passionate citizens, energy community leaders, and experts from 42 countries, united by a shared vision to democratise energy and ignite change across Europe. We are living in a time when resilient communities and bottom-up initiatives are more vital than ever. This forum is not just an event; it’s a signal that we are here to remove barriers, inspire, and act. “Let’s not just be part of the movement. Let’s be the movement.”
Growing social and economic inequalities are breeding discontent and the rise of the far right. With every euro invested in community energy projects, 2 to 8 euros are generated for local economies: energy communities are a climate solution, a vehicle for social cohesion, and they make economic sense. This is why the EU and various Member States are creating dedicated support schemes to help energy communities drive local development (e.g., LIFE programmes such as the ENERCOM Facility, and the Social Climate Fund).
Municipalities are key allies in this local transition. Where national governments and legal frameworks falter, local authorities are stepping in to co-create community-led energy solutions. From repurposing vacant municipal lots and parking spaces into collective solar projects, to creating energy poverty offices, local authorities are working with communities to shape their energy futures. In order to inspire more and more municipalities, it is key to learn how to speak the same language, acknowledge their role and organise capacity building.
Imagine a future where balconies and rooftops are adorned with solar panels. Residents in multi-apartment buildings in Romania sharing energy through their local energy community, and protecting vulnerable renters. Ecopower, a community energy supplier in Belgium providing tens of thousands of citizens with below-market, stable prices, weathering through energy crises. Ukrainian and Palestinian communities rewiring their neighbourhoods with decentralised solar and storage, which are harder to disrupt. If we want citizens to really benefit from these activities and decide on who the benefits go to, they need to own the installations through which the energy is shared. Network operators and energy communities should collaborate to enable grid access and develop local flexibility solutions, thus preserving the grid as a shared public good.
Renewables are not enough to build a just and sustainable energy future. Energy communities are increasingly taking charge of initiatives to lower energy consumption and build sufficiency, such as citizen-led renovations and renewable heating and cooling. This is another area where grants and cooperative-led One Stop Shops can be crucial. The EU has officially recognised the potential for energy communities to deliver these critical energy savings. Now it’s time for us to demand: heat our homes, not the planet.
Beyond the technicalities, energy communities should not sideline their social mission. Many community energy groups already take measures to tackle barriers based on class, gender or ethnicity. The Citizen Energy Package can provide clarifications to Member States on what steps they can take to make the energy transition more inclusive and affordable through supporting energy communities; social capital is our greatest value. To make the transition truly inclusive, citizens should have access to energy, but also transport, housing, food and healthcare.
To build inclusive, bottom-up power, we need networks. Coalitions and federations of energy communities are essential for fostering the emergence and growth of energy communities at the European, national and local level. They not only help community energy projects access financing, information and tools, but also provide ongoing support throughout the project lifecycle. To maintain engagement and stay focused on a shared vision, coalitions need to build a strong collective narrative. To maximise their potential and impact, they must be recognised, included in policy discussions, and structurally supported.
Power to the people. Power the people.
