Leean-Cet Project

27/02/2026

📅 17 March 2026 | Sofia, Bulgaria
How are Bulgarian municipalities preparing to implement the National Renovation Plan in practice?
will take part in the national conference
“Financing Energy Efficiency: The National Renovation Plan and the Role of Local Authorities”, organised together with ЕкоЕнергия and ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency.
Тhis event focuses specifically on the Bulgarian context - and on the role of local authorities in structuring, financing and delivering building renovation at municipal level.
As Bulgaria moves forward with the implementation of its renovation framework, municipalities will play a decisive role in coordinating investments, strengthening local energy governance and ensuring long-term continuity beyond individual funding cycles.
The conference gathers national institutions, European stakeholders and local authorities to align policy, finance and local capacity.
📍 Grand Hotel Sofia | 9:30 AM
📌 Registration: https://forms.gle/DHFiGXCLhnWde3HG8
More information on the draft agenda:https://www.eneffect.bg/storage/news/1_JgDMtM4d7e.pdf

Renovate Bulgaria | LIFE Programme| EUKI - European Climate Initiative | Reheateast | | | | ComActivate Project | | Smafin Expanded project | | SHEERenov | | ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency |

25/02/2026

🌱 New training opportunities and practical tools to support the development of energy communities across Europe!
The initiative of the European Energy Communities Facility provides valuable guidance on building sustainable business models, selecting appropriate financing and governance mechanisms, as well as effectively engaging stakeholders and local authorities.
The training is delivered online and is suitable for representatives of public institutions and municipalities, as well as experts and civil society organisations that are planning or already implementing energy projects.
🔗 More information and access to the resources are available here 👉
https://fedarene.org/strengthening-energy-communities…/

IMRO-DDKK Nonprofit Kft| Eko sustav | Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar - EIHP | Energetska agencija KSSENA | Energieagentur Regio Freiburg GmbH | | | ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency | Association Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine

🌱 Нови възможности за обучение и практически инструменти в подкрепа на развитието на енергийни общности в Европа!

Инициативата на Европейския фонд за енергийни общности предоставя ценни насоки за изграждане на устойчиви бизнес модели, избор на подходящи механизми за финансиране и управление, както и за ефективно ангажиране на заинтересованите страни и местните власти.

Обучението е онлайн и е подходящо както за представители на публични институции и общини, така и за експерти и граждански организации, които планират или вече реализират енергийни проекти.

🔗 Повече информация и достъп до ресурсите ще откриете тук 👉
https://fedarene.org/strengthening-energy-communities-discover-the-latest-tools-and-insights/

13/02/2026

🌍 Climate neutrality starts in cities.
The EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities supports 100 European cities on their path to climate neutrality by 2030 — turning them into innovation hubs that inspire the entire EU to reach the same goal by 2050.
Through Climate City Contracts, co-created with citizens and local stakeholders, municipalities develop:
✔️ clear roadmaps to climate neutrality
✔️ investment plans across buildings, energy, transport and waste
✔️ integrated, cross-sector decarbonisation frameworks
Cities that successfully complete the process receive the EU Mission Label, strengthening their credibility and improving access to financing.
The platform coordinated by provides expert guidance, financial advisory support and access to innovation opportunities under Horizon Europe.
🔎 How can new municipalities get involved?
Cities can join as a Mission-minded city by registering on the NetZeroCities platform and subscribing to the newsletter to receive updates on:
– open calls
– initiatives and programmes
– funding and partnership opportunities
🔗 More information: https://netzerocities.eu

IMRO-DDKK Nonprofit Kft | Eko sustav | Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar - EIHP | Energetska agencija KSSENA | Energieagentur Regio Freiburg GmbH | | | ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency | Association Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine

We believe in cities to lead the fight for a healthy climate BACKGROUND Cities are in a prime position to spearhead climate action and develop innovation for the world. Change can be difficult, and contemplating the climate crisis

10/12/2025

📍 9 December 2025 – Study visit in Sofia
Strengthening cross-border collaboration for better local energy planning.
A Romanian delegation from Galați Municipality visited Sofia this week for a knowledge-exchange session focused on energy efficiency in buildings and sustainable urban development. The meeting brought together experts from Sofia Municipality, Sofia Development Association, Sofia Energy Agency Sofena, ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency, and Cleantech Bulgaria.
Key highlights:
• EnEffect introduced methodologies for energy data management and planning, placing the project at the centre of the discussion — supporting local authorities in BG, HR, SI, HU and UA in implementing sustainable energy policies through the European Energy Award framework.
• SOFENA shared results from their long-term cooperation with the municipality, including the first energy community in Sofia – a rooftop PV installation at 2nd Secondary School.
• Cleantech Bulgaria presented innovative financial tools and several successful project examples.

The session concluded with an open conversation on key challenges for Eastern European cities, particularly regarding energy efficiency in residential buildings - an area where continued collaboration will be essential.
💡 Stronger partnerships → better planning → more resilient cities.

IMRO-DDKK Nonprofit Kft | Eko sustav | Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar - EIHP | Energetska agencija KSSENA | Energieagentur Regio Freiburg GmbH | | | ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency | Association Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine

03/12/2025

🌡️ What does a successful local heat transition look like in practice?
On 10 December at 11:00 CET, Mechelen’s Deputy Mayor Patrick Princen will share how the city is turning planning into action in a short, 30-minute webinar.
For municipalities across Central and Southeast Europe, this is a chance to hear concrete good practices:
• how an integrated heating plan was developed,
• how the first projects were implemented,
• and how Mechelen built a Heat Coalition that brings together the city, businesses, citizens and social organisations.
These insights offer direct inspiration for local governments working on their own heating and cooling strategies within the clean energy transition.
Mr. Princen will also reflect on how the EU can better support cities in phasing out fossil-fuel systems - a timely topic as the new Heating and Cooling Strategy is being prepared.
👉 Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzjvxBSNcD2RSZkz3S8XfXY7bQ8CXO8ZlDB4a9l4J3t7C-4g/viewform

IMRO-DDKK Nonprofit Kft | Eko sustav | Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar - EIHP | Energetska agencija KSSENA | Energieagentur Regio Freiburg GmbH | | | ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency | Association Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine

Mechelen is showing how cities can lead the heat transition. The city’s approach recently earned it the 2025 Covenant of Mayors Award, recognising its efforts to build a just and collective journey towards fossil-free heating. Join Patrick Princen, Deputy Mayor of Mechelen, for this next 15-15 May...

02/12/2025

🔥 Webinar: Financing District Heating & Cooling
📅 3 December 2025
⏰ 14:30 CET
💻 Online

Join upcoming webinar on how cities can successfully finance District Heating & Cooling projects!

The webinar will help cities understand what investors look for in DHC projects and how to get “investor-ready.”

You will learn:

🔹How investors assess DHC projects
🔹What successful financing structures look like
🔹What cities need to prepare before engaging with investors

🔑 Key Topics

🔹What makes a bankable DHC project (scope, revenue model, delivery setup)
🔹Typical investor expectations: feasibility, control, financing sources
🔹Minimum technical & financial readiness for investment discussions
🔹Risk mitigation and affordability considerations

Register here 👉 https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=3BDlYXovMEG-MWqvm8D72olETbRGtU1GkWsbgv61ObZUOUhINFkxUzIyOEJKS1JIWTVUWEZWNjlHMC4u&route=shorturl&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_mgLPaULZslwimw30toWLCZxFQe40jWiCOonexCLaagUa2RaPZohU-2tSq6eZZgkHGErj_5FwYOQhhCmG2q6RoOw0Z2Q&_hsmi=122663061&utm_content=122663061&utm_source=hs_email

13/11/2025

🌍 From plans to action: LEEAN-CET in motion

How do local energy and climate strategies come to life? Sometimes it starts with a conversation - in a municipal office, at a conference, or among partners who share the same goal: to build stronger, climate-resilient cities.
➡️In the past days, the LEEAN-CET journey took us across Burgas and Yambol, where discussions on cleaner energy and local cooperation gained new momentum.
In Burgas, we joined the final event of together with partners from Turkey and Greece, and continued with an in-depth dialogue at the Municipal Energy Office - exploring how the new climate adaptation theme enriches our methodology and builds on experiences from Gabrovo, Dobrich, and Sofia.
🏘️Our next stop was Yambol, where we met with the Deputy Mayor’s team to discuss how municipalities can make the most of LEEAN-CET tools while preparing their SECAPs and mobilising their transition teams.

And soon, on 27 November, the conversation about cities and municipalities will continue at the conference “Cities in Transformation: Strategic Vision, Solutions, Energy Communities and New Skills”, part of the 19th Conference.

IMRO-DDKK Nonprofit Kft | Eko sustav | Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar - EIHP | Energetska agencija KSSENA | Association Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine | Energieagentur Regio Freiburg GmbH| | | ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency

10/10/2025

🇺🇦 Great news from our partners in Ukraine!
We’re truly glad to see the successful “Expert Armament” training in Lviv - another important step in strengthening the local expertise for implementing the European Energy Award system. 👏
Our colleagues from Association Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine, who act as the National Office of EEA in Ukraine, continue to build capacity for municipalities and professionals dedicated to sustainable energy and climate planning.
💬 At , we share the same mission - helping local authorities across Central and Southeast Europe turn energy and climate policies into real, measurable results.

IMRO-DDKK Nonprofit Kft | Eko sustav | Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar - EIHP | Energetska agencija KSSENA | Association Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine | Energieagentur Regio Freiburg GmbH | | | ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency

21/08/2025

🌍 The EXCITE project may have reached its official end, but its mission lives on - and grows stronger - through LEEAN-CET: Local Energy and Environment Action Networks for Clean Energy Transition.
📘 This page, originally created for EXCITE, will now serve as the main platform for the LEEAN-CET project, continuing our work with municipalities across Central and Southeast Europe. The name has changed - but the goal, and the method, remain the same.

🏛️ EXCITE helped municipalities take the first steps toward integrated local energy and climate planning. LEEAN-CET builds on this experience - shifting the focus from planning to implementation. Through stronger local networks, peer exchange, and targeted support, we’re helping small and medium-sized municipalities across Central and Southeast Europe lead the clean energy transition.

Follow us as we share local stories, tools, and policy insights that make a real difference at the municipal level.

IMRO-DDKK Nonprofit Kft Eko sustav Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar - EIHP Energetska agencija KSSENA Association Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine Energieagentur Regio Freiburg GmbH

07/05/2024

Check out a brief overview of what has happened in our project: from fostering citizen engagement in 🇧🇬,🇸🇮,🇲🇰,🇷🇴,🇺🇦, to encouraging private investment and promoting entrepreneurship, all the while municipal energy planning is at the forefront!

You can read the full article featured on CCORDIS_EUbelow 👇

ЕЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy EfficiencyHHabitat for Humanity MacedoniaAAssociation Energy Efficient Cities of UkraineRRomania Green Building CouncilEEnergetska agencija KSSENA

Tailored strategic energy management services and local engagement strategies have supported 26 municipalities in the successful...

09/02/2024

If you want to learn more about the European Energy Award, what is so exciting about it for municipalities and their sustainable energy actions, what have we done together with the pilots in 🇧🇬, 🇲🇰,🇸🇮,🇷🇴,🇺🇦, then discover more in our brochure here 👉http://www.excite-project.eu/uploads/9/8/8/4/9884716/eneffect__excite_brochure.pdf

📚You can also find out more on the 'Publications' section on our website 🌐 http://www.excite-project.eu/

ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency Habitat for Humanity Macedonia Association Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine Romania Green Building Council Energetska agencija KSSENA Covenant of Mayors - Europe Energy Cities