Energy Communities Training Program Workshop in Brașov

The energy transition is not only a technological process but also a deeply social one, requiring the active involvement of communities in finding sustainable and equitable solutions. In this spirit, the Energy Communities Training Program was created as part of the European project DECA – Danube Energy Communities Accelerator, funded through Interreg Danube Region. The program brings together technical experts, project initiators and members of civil society, offering them a framework to acquire knowledge, test tools and collaboratively build viable Energy Community models for Romania.

After its launch in May, when Brașov hosted the first session dedicated to Energy Communities, the program entered its practical phase in September 2025. For two days, theory turned into applied practice and previously outlined ideas took shape as concrete initiatives.

From Concepts to Practical Tools

The first day of the workshop began with presentations on the teams’ progress and a recap of the Energy Community models under development. Participants tested essential tools for developing and replicating these initiatives. Through teamwork, these tools became a collaborative workspace where each idea was analysed, refined and prepared for the final stage.

Model Validation

On September 14, the focus shifted to the presentation and validation of the developed models. After a session dedicated to evaluation criteria, the teams presented their projects before a jury, demonstrating how an Energy Community can be adapted to local needs. The feedback received provided new perspectives for improvement and paved the way for practical implementation.

The workshop concluded with a graduation ceremony and the awarding of certificates, marking the completion of this training phase.

From Learning to Transformation

This second stage of the program marked the beginning of a tangible application process. The Energy Community models moved beyond theory, with some already emerging as viable projects capable of offering real solutions for the energy transition. The initiative thus evolved into an exercise in collective construction, where renewable energy and the vision of a sustainable future merged into joint initiatives.

The event was organised within the framework of the DECA - Danube Energy Communities Accelerator project, an Interreg Danube Region initiative co-financed by the European Union.