The EU islands secretariat hosted a successful capacity-building workshop on 13 June 2025, highlighting how EU islands can unlock financing, develop inclusive energy communities, and accelerate their clean energy transition.
The workshop, part of the LIFE ISLET project, brought together leading voices from academia, cooperatives, networks and public agencies. Presentations were delivered by the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), REScoop, FEDARENE, DAFNI Network, and Electra Energy Cooperative. Participants explored policy frameworks, innovative financial tools, and practical strategies to overcome local barriers and scale citizen-led renewable energy projects.
Policy momentum and citizen empowerment
Petros Markopoulos of the DAFNI Network opened with an overview of the EU policy context and its growing support for energy communities.
“Energy communities are more than just a legal structure — they are a vehicle for social cohesion, local investment and energy democracy,” he said. “With the right frameworks, citizens and municipalities can become central actors in Europe’s energy transition.”
Markopoulos highlighted the growing legal basis for energy sharing and collective self-consumption, empowering citizens and SMEs to participate directly in renewable energy generation.
Hands-on implementation from island pioneers
Kostas Komninos presented the latest developments from the ISLET project, which supports energy community development on Astypalaia (Greece), Procida (Italy), and Cres (Croatia), with additional outreach to 30 replication islands.
“We’ve seen first-hand that trust, local engagement and consistent support are essential. Each island has its own rhythm — and each REC must reflect local identity and needs,” he explained.
From setting up energy microgrids in remote settlements to tackling energy poverty through citizen-owned solar, the pilot islands are forging replicable models with substantial social impact.
Innovative finance and capacity building
The Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) shared robust tools for REC financing. Their models calculate key indicators, such as IRR, NPV, and LCoE, guiding islands through the complexities of building bankable business plans.
“We aim to bridge the financing gap and give islands the tools they need to make informed, sustainable investment decisions,” said Prof. Vassilis Efthymiou. “We’ve shown that even small RECs can be financially viable with the right planning.”
FEDARENE’s Diana Bosfy highlighted the impact of the PROSPECT+ programme, which enables local governments to move beyond subsidies.
“Public authorities are eager to act but often lack the tools or confidence. PROSPECT+ builds their capacity through peer learning and practical experience,” she said. “We’re seeing a real shift toward more resilient and self-financed local action.”
Scaling up with European support
Sofia Corsi of REScoop introduced the European Energy Communities Facility, which offers €45,000 grants and technical support to over 140 communities.
“Too many communities are excluded from EU funding because of scale or complexity,” she noted. “This Facility exists to change that — to make the energy transition truly inclusive.”
With its network of national experts and focus on equity across high- and low-uptake countries, the Facility is opening doors for emerging energy communities across Europe.
Best practices from the ground
Electra Energy Cooperative’s Miriam Rodríguez Ruiz shared a suite of best practices from Greece, including the Hyperion REC—a citizen-led initiative with 123 members, gender-balanced leadership, and targeted actions on energy poverty.
“We always say: start small, but aim far,” she explained. “Energy communities aren’t just about kilowatts — they’re about dignity, justice, and building resilient futures together.”
From mobile agrivoltaics to school energy education, Electra Energy demonstrated how energy democracy can serve as a vehicle for broader social transformation.
Alberto Bernardini from Econoler presented the Islands Marketplace developed under the Clean energy for EU islands initiative , highlighting it as a key tool to support island communities in developing and financing clean energy projects. He explained how the platform connects project developers, investors, and technical experts, offering tailored assistance to help overcome financing and technical barriers specific to island territories.
Towards energy sovereignty and climate resilience
The workshop affirmed the growing role of EU islands as testbeds for a just and community-led energy transition. Energy communities are leading the way with strong policies, targeted finance, and real-world experience.