Within WP1 the management of the project was organised. ZSI as WP1 lead organised regular calls as well as seven general assembly meetings. Additionally, from the very beginning of the project ZSI made sure that RRI issues were addressed throughout the project.
In WP2, we constructed an inter- and transdisciplinary definition of energy citizenship. While the interdisciplinary definition was based on discourse between our scholarly legal, economic and psychological partners (Uni Graz, ULEI, WUEB, UG), the transdisciplinary definition emerged in exchange with practice partners (ICLEI, GEN Europe, ZSI) and in co-creation workshops with stakeholders. A main output of WP2 is the energy citizenship scale, which was translated in five languages.
In WP3, the research team analysed and gained knowledge on the legal and economic market conditions shaping energy communities in 6 different European countries. Additionally, four knowledge co-creation workshops took place (NL, PL, ES, IT). The synthesis of the results is provided in D3.3.
In WP4, longitudinal field studies collected survey data among 3902 members and non-members of energy communities within 21 countries and experimental scenario studies included over 10,000 participants. The studies gained empirical evidence for barriers and facilitators of energy communities and energy citizenship and how different set-ups of energy communities affect the perceptions of and willingness to join energy communities.
In WP5, eight co-creation workshop were conducted in four regions resulting in a co-created comprehensive handbook for public administrations to planning a website that promotes and supports energy communities. The handbook offers a clear structure for a website to provide valuable information and resources for individuals interested in energy communities, whether they want to join an existing one or create their own.
WP6’s activities resulted in six policy briefs offering comprehensive, research-based recommendations for facilitating and accelerating the transition at every level, from the EU to national and local contexts, with additional focus on a just transition in coal regions and policies for inclusive and motivated energy communities, based on insights from psychological studies. Also the Energy Citizenship Academy was implemented in WP6, an online training programme that equipped public administrators, leaders and members of energy communities, researchers, and NGOs with evidence-based knowledge, practical tools, and networking opportunities for people-centric energy transition.
WP7 set up and maintained everything needed for dissemination and communication throughout the project. A dissemination, communication and exploitation plan was created, the website went online in M2, and WP7 team continuously fed the social media accounts with news, lists for communication and dissemination activities, EC2 was represented at conferences, and dissemination materials were provided. Six open days and a online twinning programme was also implemented in WP7. The former aimed at helping citizens to become more engaged in energy issues. The international twinning programme linked EC² practice partners with new and aspiring energy communities to offer mentoring.
Within WP8 and WP9 H1-requirements and POPD2-requirements and ethics certificates were elaborated, agreed, and provided.
