Local Energy and Environment Action Networks for Clean Energy Transition

Despite the European Union’s clear climate and energy goals and the availability of numerous financial support mechanisms, many small and medium-sized municipalities in Central and Southeast Europe continue to face serious challenges in planning and implementing sustainable local policies. A lack of capacity, coordination, and systematic energy management approaches often delays the decarbonisation of cities and limits access to transition support opportunities.

Projekt LEEAN-CET ima za cilj prevladati ove prepreke uvođenjem međunarodno priznate metodologije european energy award (eea) u Bugarskoj, Sjevernoj Makedoniji, Hrvatskoj, Mađarskoj, Sloveniji i Ukrajini. Projekt se temelji na postignućima inicijative EXCITE H2020, nadograđujući najbolju praksu i prenoseći je na višu razinu i u nova područja.

The project applies a continuous improvement cycle in local policy-making (analysis – planning – implementation – evaluation – revision), supporting municipalities in establishing strong administrative and organizational systems for planning and implementing clean energy transition policies. Using an online energy management tool, a performance indicator system, and active stakeholder engagement, LEEAN-CET goes beyond preparing plans – it builds practical systems for informed local decision-making.

Over the next three years, project activities will focus on small and medium-sized municipalities, rural areas, and carbon-intensive regions. Specifically, 30 pilot municipalities will receive targeted support, more than 300 local experts will be trained, and investment concepts with an estimated total value exceeding EUR 60 million will be developed.

Coordinator: EnEffect (Bulgaria)

Partners IMRO (Hungary), Habitat for Humanity–Macedonia (North Macedonia), EKO-SUSTAV (Croatia), EIHP (Croatia), KSSENA (Slovenia), EECU (Ukraine), EARF – Regional Energy Agency Freiburg (Germany), AERE (France), AEA – Austrian Energy Agency (Austria).

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.