The first PROSPECT+ Policy Dialogue webinar offered a thought-provoking discussion on the evolution of city financing in today's changing landscape and the crucial transition from dependence on public funding to using innovative financing instruments. With over 100 attendees and 11 expert speakers, this event marked a significant step forward in understanding the shift from traditional public funding to innovative financial instruments and the available support cities can benefit from. The event brought together public authorities, municipal energy agencies, representatives of EU institutions, and private investors to delve into the challenges and opportunities of this shift, especially when traditional subsidies can no longer cover all financial gaps. 

Our speakers provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and new strategies vital for financing local energy initiatives and broader climate targets. Their insights, encompassing practical case studies and strategic discussions, were particularly relevant for public authorities. The webinar highlighted the need for cooperation, effective knowledge exchange, the necessity of innovative, adaptable approaches and the urgent need to learn how to use new financial models.  

The dialogue underscored the importance of thinking creatively and collaborating effectively while emphasizing the crucial role of diversifying funding sources, including private investment, to meet the challenges of the energy transition on local and global levels. Attendees were introduced to various support programmes and initiatives, such as Horizon Europe, the LIFE Program, Smart Cities Marketplace, fi-compass, European City Facility, ManagEnergy and the Covenant of Mayors, offering a glimpse into the wealth of resources and ideas. This set the stage for continuing the debate on these critical topics.  

We encourage you to view the webinar recording and participate in the ongoing dialogue to delve deeper into these discussions and explore the numerous initiatives. Join the PROSPECT+ Community of Practice to access a detailed summary of the webinar and the results of the ongoing consultations. 

 
The topics and our speakers: 

Results of the consultations under PROSPECT+ Policy Dialogue: priorities, needs and barriers public authorities have raised: 

• Sylwia Słomiak, PROSPECT+ / Eurocities 

Success stories and success factors: examples of projects implemented with reduced dependence on subsidies:  

• Miguel Á. García-Fuentes, EU Projects Coordinator, Cartif, Spain 

• Sanela Mikulčić Šantić, Cooperative Manager, Križevci, Croatia 

• Sandrine De Ternay, City of Albertville, France 

The reality on the local level: cities’ recommendations to make innovative financing instruments more accessible across Europe (panel discussion):  

• Vlasta Krmelj, Mayor of Selnica ob Dravi and CEO of ENERGAP, Slovenia 

• Alicia Villazan Cabero, Project Manager, Valladolid City Council, Spain 

• Jolein Schorel, Municipality of Amersfoort, the Netherlands 

• Andrzej Łazęcki, Director of Municipal Economy and Climate Department, Kraków, Poland 

Support programmes, the regulatory context and the benefits of private capital for ensuring the high impact of municipal projects (panel discussion): 

• Georg Houben, Policy Officer, European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) 

• Cristina Mestre Martinez, European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) 

• Ieva Zalite, Policy Officer, European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) 

• Allison Lobb, Executive Director, Bankers without Boundaries 

Watch the recording  

Join the consultations on access to other-than-subsidies instruments  

Join the PROSPECT+ Community of Practice to access a detailed summary of the webinar with links to all mentioned initiatives and the results of the ongoing consultations.

Add your input to the Policy Dialogue consultations on the attitudes to innovative financing instruments: click here.

Download the presentations: click here (PDF).

For more information, follow us on Linkedin, contact the Prospect+ Team through our website or email Sylwia Slomiak at sylwia.slomiak@eurocities.eu.  

Resources

_{https://cor.europa.eu/en  
https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/departments-and-executive-agencies/energy_en  
https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en  
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/green-deal/fit-for-55-the-eu-plan-for-a-green-transition  
https://smart-cities-marketplace.ec.europa.eu  
https://cinea.ec.europa.eu  
https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en  
https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/connecting-europe-facility_en  
https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en  
https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life/clean-energy-transition_en  
https://energy.ec.europa.eu/events/covenant-mayors-investment-forum-2023-2023-10-25_en  
https://sustainable-energy-week.ec.europa.eu  
https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/eu-funding-climate-action/innovation-fund/project-development-assistance_en  
https://www.eucityfacility.eu  
https://managenergy.ec.europa.eu  
https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/departments-and-executive-agencies/regional-and-urban-policy_en  
https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funding/erdf_en  
https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funding/cohesion-fund_en 
https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu  
https://www.fi-compass.eu  
https://www.eib.org  
https://www.bwb.earth 
https://netzerocities.eu}