LAB.T.E.C. - Territorial Laboratories for Shared Energy: systemic actions for the energy transition
About this good practice
Energy is not easily approachable for citizens, and this reduces the opportunities for them to play an active role in the energy transition.
The objective of LAB.T.E.C. is to support the energy transition in Emilia-Romagna thanks to the regional financing of European funds (ERDF 2021-2027). A total of 27 municipalities were involved.
The participatory processes targeted citizens, associations and local businesses interested in supporting and contributing to the energy transition, also through direct participation in local shared energy initiatives (e.g. collective self-consumption groups or energy community configurations).
LAB.T.E.C. meetings were designed to favour the active participation of citizens with the main goals of:
- stimulating a reflection on the energy transition and its opportunities, on future scenarios and on the active contribution citizens can make;
- informing about the decarbonisation and energy efficiency actions already underway in the specific municipality or union of municipalities;
- supporting citizens interested in energy sharing (collective self-consumption, renewable energy communities, etc.).
Each LAB.T.E.C. consisted of two parts: an initial info session, followed by a practical co-design laboratory aimed at drafting and discussing the configuration of a renewable energy community in the municipal territory, creating a mapping of common project proposals, which could be supported and encouraged by the creation of a REC
Resources needed
The project, with a total value of 192 keur received 160 keur co-financing by the Emilia-Romagna ERDF programme 2021-2027. A team of 2.5 FTE worked for its delivery between March and December 2024 with the support of 16 other experts, involved either as speakers or facilitators
Evidence of success
The participatory process format has been particularly successful as over 700 people were involved in 45 meetings held between March and December 2024. This participation provided sound basis for future citizen-led actions contributing to the energy transition. Six new energy communities were formally established within the municipalities of Castenaso, Fidenza, Modena, Bomporto, Nonantola, Unione Appennino Bolognese in parallel to LAB.T.E.C. participatory process
Potential for learning or transfer
The LABTEC format can be replicated in other European regions and municipalities to generate awareness on the energy transition and empower citizens. The process is based on consolidated methodologies for citizens involvement and participatory process design which are also highly replicable, even though they need to be tailor made to the specific local context by involving the stakeholders which are already active on the territory.
Given the success of the initiative, in Italy, AESS is going to launch new LABTEC meetings throughout 2025.
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Good practice owner
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AESS - AGENZIA PER L'ENERGIA E LO SVILUPPO SOSTENIBILE
