EPP-CoR local and regional leaders used the Green Transition Forum in Sofia to call for stronger local energy production, smarter renovation policies and a fair transition that delivers concrete benefits for citizens in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities.
Organised by the EPP-CoR Working Group on the Green Deal Going Local, under the chairmanship of Markku Markkula, the session “Homegrown Energy – From a Local Transition to European Impact” addressed the need for Europe to strengthen sustainable energy production at local and regional level.
Opening the debate, Markku Markkula, Chair of the EPP-CoR Working Group on the Green Deal Going Local and Member of Espoo City Council, said that home-grown energy is central to Europe’s resilience and strategic autonomy.
“Energy is a strategic issue — one that determines Europe’s ability to act independently and respond effectively to global pressures. Local and regional authorities are on the front line. Across Europe, they have the capacity to develop home-grown energy by producing renewable power locally, where it is consumed. By tapping into local resources, we can build energy systems that are more reliable, affordable and resilient, while ensuring that the benefits of the transition remain within our local communities,” said Markkula.
Åsa Ågren Wikström, County Councillor of Västerbotten Region, underlined that local and regional authorities are central to Europe’s energy autonomy and resilience.
“The current energy crisis continues to put pressure on households, businesses and local and regional authorities. Accelerating the production of home-grown sustainable energy is essential to strengthen Europe’s energy autonomy and provide affordable, stable and clean energy for citizens and SMEs. Local energy projects can create jobs, attract investment and improve territorial competitiveness. To make this happen, the next EU budget must support local energy production through partnership and multilevel governance, because local and regional authorities know best how to mobilise communities, build acceptance, counter disinformation and deliver solutions adapted to their territories,” she said.
Tanya Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo and Chair of the Bulgarian National Delegation to the European Committee of the Regions, highlighted Gabrovo’s experience in linking climate ambition with citizen engagement, innovation and new governance models.
“Gabrovo’s experience shows that the green transition is not only about technology or investment — it is about people, partnerships and new ways of governing. By working with citizens, companies and local partners, we can turn climate challenges into opportunities for innovation, better public services and stronger communities. Becoming climate-neutral 20 years ahead of the wider European target is ambitious, but it gives us the chance to test new solutions, learn by doing, and share our experience with other cities and regions. A fair transition is the only transition that can truly succeed,” she said.
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, stressed that citizens judge Europe not by regulations, but by visible improvements in their daily lives.
“Citizens do not judge Europe by regulations, but by the concrete changes they see in their daily lives — in their street, their home, their school, their hospital, their bus station and their workplace. That is why the green transition must be local, visible and fair. By investing in home-grown energy, stronger partnerships and practical solutions for our communities, we can make Europe’s policies real for people and show that Europe is not imposing change, but inviting us to co-design and deliver it together,” said Mayor Boc.
The discussion also referred to the Sofia Declaration and its call for secure, affordable energy for competitive economies, underlining the importance of local action in strengthening both Europe’s energy security and the competitiveness of its territories.
In a roundtable discussion on “Smart Renovation: Public and Private Capital for Europe’s Homes”, Ågren Wikström called for a systemic approach combining public support, private investment and local capacity.
“Residential renovation cannot rely on grants alone. We need a systemic approach that combines financial de-risking, technical assistance, integrated governance and citizen engagement. Local and regional authorities can act as hubs for collaboration, bringing together citizens, companies and public authorities while building skills that reflect local needs. Public funds should be used in smarter ways to mobilise private investment, simplify access to renovation solutions and create market volume. Done properly, renovation can become a scalable, job-creating engine for the clean transition, while making homes more efficient, affordable and comfortable for citizens,” she said.
EPP-CoR members concluded that Europe’s energy and renovation agenda must be built from the ground up. Home-grown energy, smart renovation and local partnerships are not only climate tools; they are also instruments for competitiveness, resilience and social fairness. To succeed, the transition must be visible in people’s daily lives and delivered with the full involvement of cities, regions, businesses and citizens.