Political Momentum and Local Opportunities: Energy Communities Take Centre Stage

On 26 March 2025, the European Energy Communities Facility was officially launched at the European Parliament — and the event made waves. Five MEPs from across the political spectrum voiced their strong support for energy communities, underlining their importance for a more democratic, secure, and affordable energy future. European Commission officials also weighed in, emphasising the need to fully implement existing legislation and ensure meaningful financial support.

This political alignment marks a significant milestone for the community energy movement — and an opportunity for regional and local actors to further scale up their efforts. With barriers still standing in the way, from administrative burdens to complex financing processes, energy communities need the kind of tailored support that national and regional agencies are uniquely placed to provide.

The Facility’s design reflects this. Leveraging a network of national experts who act as local ambassadors, the initiative aims to support over 140 energy communities in developing business plans through lump-sum grants and capacity-building activities. As highlighted during the launch event, this model ensures that funding reaches the ground where it’s needed most — something FEDARENE has long advocated for.

FEDARENE welcomes this new momentum and invites its members to follow the development of the Facility closely. From providing technical support to engaging with managing authorities, regional and local energy agencies are essential players in ensuring that no community is left behind in the energy transition.