Empowering Local Energy Action in Wallonia: The POLLEC Programme

Illustration : Energy Department of the Wallonia Region

Since 2008, Wallonia’s POLLEC programme has been a key driver of the region’s climate and energy transition. Led by the Walloon Air and Climate Agency (AwAC) and the Energy Department of the Walloon regional administration (SPW Énergie), POLLEC provides local authorities with financial and technical support to develop and implement sustainable energy strategies. The programme aligns with the Covenant of Mayors, a European initiative with over 12,000 signatories, reinforcing Wallonia’s commitment to ambitious climate action.

A Multi-Level Governance Approach

Municipal Coordinators (CPCs) are internal staff within municipalities responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs). They engage local stakeholders and coordinate climate actions.
Territorial Coordinators (CPTs) support clusters of municipalities by assisting with SECAP development, organising training, and facilitating knowledge exchange. In 2023 and 2024, they led 104 workshops on energy, buildings, transport, and adaptation.
Regional Coordination ensures strategic oversight and collaboration between CPCs and CPTs through monthly meetings and thematic working groups, covering programme evaluation, SECAP indicators, training, and collaborative platforms. Nine supra-municipal entities receive funding to reinforce local actions.

Supporting Municipalities with Tailored Solutions

A key component of POLLEC is POLLEC 22, a grant scheme that funds full-time municipal energy coordinators. So far, 181 full-time equivalent staff have been funded, strengthening the capacity of municipalities to implement climate action. These coordinators work to reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 55% by 2030, with the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. They also develop local adaptation strategies to enhance climate resilience and implement measures to combat energy poverty, ensuring a fair and inclusive transition.

By embedding expertise within municipalities, POLLEC helps local authorities make climate and energy planning an integral part of governance.

Scaling Up for a Sustainable Future

POLLEC’s governance structure ensures scalability and long-term impact by fostering cross-municipal cooperation, integrating climate action into policy, and continuously refining strategies through working groups and capacity-building initiatives.

Jean Van Pamel, Inspector General of the Wallonia region and FEDARENE Treasurer, underscores the programme’s value: “The POLLEC programme demonstrates how a multi-level governance approach can empower local actors to lead the energy transition while addressing climate and social challenges.”

This best practice is extracted from our publication ‘Sustainable Regions in Action‘. Discover more best practices here!