The 1st Meeting of PRODESA Network was successfully completed with the online meetings that were held on the 14th, 15th and 16th of December 2020. The contribution of Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE) was significant since, through the invitation that was sent to all the Municipalities of Greece at the beginning of November, there was immediate response in participating in the 1st Meeting.
The municipalities that participate in the Network will receive free technical support for the development of energy efficiency project pipelines in municipal buildings and street lighting. They will also have the opportunity to attend the online training seminars.
Throughout the process, PRODESA Team consisting of representatives from KEDE, EUDITI, ENFINITY and CRES will continuously support the network of municipalities by providing technical assistance. Each municipality will be treated as a specific case and all the meetings will focus on each municipality’s specific issues.
During the 1st Meeting, in addition to the acquaintance with the Municipalities of the Network, the PRODESA project as well as the financing tools that are most suitable for municipal projects, in particular those of Energy Performance Contracting were presented. The municipalities presented their activities in terms of their local energy plan, state of relevant projects’ development and participation in initiatives, such as the Covenant of Mayors.
At the end of the meeting, a questionnaire addressed to the municipalities of the Network was presented. It included questions on staff issues, training, current and future projects, technical and financing issues etc. Once the municipalities respond to the questionnaire, the technical support for the development of their project pipeline will begin. Therefore, the sooner each municipality responds, the more support will receive as the 16 hours of cooperation can reach up to June 2021.
Eventually, through the elaboration of the issues and solution of difficulties of 30 municipalities of the country, the Guidelines will emerge and will be included in a special Guide that will be communicated to all the municipalities of the country. The Guide will be a useful and necessary tool for Local Government with practical application in the issues of financing Energy Efficiency projects.
Relevant information can be found on the project’s website www.prodesa.eu as well as on the website of KEDE www.kedke.gr (in the section of information and European programs).
