Five people, an island, and a practical idea: reducing energy dependency by starting from within the community. This is how many Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) begin: not with large upfront investments, but with a structured process of local engagement.
The experience of Procida, Astypalea, and Cres, developed as a part of the LIFE ISLET project, shows that energy transition can take root even in complex contexts, provided it starts from a frequently overlooked element: building trust. The early stages are not technical, but relational. Informal meetings, open dialogue among local actors, and the identification of shared needs lay the groundwork for initiatives that can endure.
A REC is, first and foremost, a collective entity that produces and shares renewable energy among its members (citizens, public authorities, businesses ), generating economic, environmental, and social value. Yet its success depends on the credibility of the participatory process behind it. Here, the role of the facilitator proves essential: someone embedded in the local context, able to translate technical complexity into accessible language and mediate between different interests.
The three pilot cases highlight distinct but complementary approaches. In Astypalea, starting small helped build trust and demonstrate feasibility. In Cres, regulatory barriers were addressed through coordinated local advocacy. In Procida, particular attention was paid to communication, avoiding an overly institutional tone to foster broader acceptance.
Operationally, the pathway can be distilled into three key steps: understanding the local context and stakeholders, activating an inclusive engagement process, and co-designing solutions. This is a replicable approach that does not initially require in-house technical expertise, but rather coordination capacity and a shared vision.
Technical and regulatory complexity remains a factor, but not a barrier. Dedicated support tools and advisory structures are increasingly available to guide communities along the way.
The evidence is clear: local energy transition is first and foremost a social process, not a technological one. And that is precisely what makes it achievable.
Are you an island interested in developing a Renewable Energy Community?
ISLET has just launched a Call for Interest for islands wishing to assess the feasibility of creating an energy community and to explore how the ISLET methodology can be adapted to their local context.
This Call for Interest is not a binding commitment. It is an opportunity to understand what establishing a Renewable Energy Community could look like on your island—supported by experts and without any obligations.
By responding to the Call for Interest, interested islands gain direct access to the ISLET Helpdesks, dedicated One‑Stop Shops designed to make the creation of Renewable Energy Communities simpler, clearer, and more achievable.
