Istrian Cities and Municipalities showed great interest for the Poreč Sunny office: Regional workshop "What can cities and municipalities do to encourage and accelerate the development of renewable energy projects in their area?"

Almost 20 employees from 12 Istrian cities and municipalities participated in the regional workshop on the topic "What can cities and municipalities do to encourage and accelerate the development of renewable energy projects in their area?" organized by the City of Poreč-Parenzo and the Poreč Sunny office, on the occasion of celebrating the World Environment Day.

The workshop was organized in cooperation with the Region of Istria, Istrian Regional Energy Agency (IRENA), Istrian Regional coordinator for European programs and funds (AURORA), and the Green Energy Cooperative (ZEZ), as one of the activities within the "Balkan solar roofs" project'', financed as part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Measures (BMWK).

Over the past 10 years, City of Poreč-Parenzo has been very determined to follow the path of energy and climate sustainable development, very often implementing pioneering projects, the example of which is later followed by many other Istrian and Croatian cities and municipalities.

After the Poreč Sunny office opened its doors to citizens in February, the City of Poreč-Parenzo, as one of the first cities in the Republic of Croatia, created a Climate Neutrality Plan until 2050 in May. Our Sunny Office is a place where all our citizens can receive free consultation, technical support and answers to questions related to the use of solar energy in their home. I am proud that even after four months since the opening, the interest of the citizens is still great and that with our experience we can help other cities and municipalities to follow the same or similar path in order to reach the common goal of green and sustainable cities and municipalities as easily and quickly as possible, said Loris Peršurić, Mayor of the City of Poreč - Parenzo.

With rising energy prices and the impacts of climate breakdown being felt more acutely than ever, there is an urgent need for more renewable energy in our cities. At the same time, energy transition and transition to renewable energy sources largely takes place ''on our doorstep''. Empowering citizens as active participants in the energy market must become one of the priorities of local self-government units. The goal of the workshop was to transfer the knowledge and experience of the City of Poreč-Parenzo acquired through the work of the Poreč Sunny office and in direct communication with our citizens, as well as education in the area of ​​encouraging and developing renewable energy projects. The great interest and large number of workshop participants shows that Istrian cities and municipalities are aware of their role and responsibility in terms of energy and climate sustainable development, concluded Gordana Lalić, director of the city company Parentium d.o.o., which has the role of coordinator in the implementation of this project.

''Balkan solar roofs'' project is being implemented in cooperation with the international association Energy Cities, the Regional Center for Education and Information on Sustainable Development for Southeastern Europe - REIC (BiH), the City of Kragujevac (SRB), and the City of Mostar (BiH). It is financed as part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Measures (BMWK). The total value of the project is 442.294,00 €, while the budget of the City of Poreč-Parenzo is that of 90.574,60 €. The intensity of co-financing is 90%. The duration of the project is 27,5 months.