Best practices
Exemplary projects and initiatives are implemented and replicated at local and regional level. The following best practices are categorised by topic and geographic area.
Filter by REPowerEU category
Filter by working group
Filter by year
Illustration : © AGENEX
A Testing Ground for Innovative Technologies: Kythnos Smart Island Project Completed
After four years of intensive work, the Kythnos Smart Island project has reached its completion!
Retaining skills in small islands of Europe
For the members of ESIN, the issue of population retention is essential. The good news is that involving small islands in the Clean Energy Transition offers a pathway to retain young islanders through green jobs and upskilling. To do this however, education needs to be tailored to the islanders’ needs.
Yenesis – youth employment network for energy sustainability in islands
The YENESIS project, co-funded by the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment, runs from 2018 to 2024 and involves 10 partners from 8 countries (Norway, Spain, Cyprus, Greece, Estonia, Italy, Croatia, and Portugal). Find out more about this Portuguese project!
Canary Islands Leads the Way in Sustainable Transportation with Biogreenfinery
Canarias is making strides in leading the decarbonization of transportation with its first 100% renewable biorefinery, unparalleled nationally and in Europe — Biogreenfinery. The Technological Institute of Canarias (ITC) will soon operationalize this new facility on the island of Gran Canaria, with an investment nearing €6 million.
Kythnos Smart Island
Find out how the Aegean Energy and Environment Agency (AEGEA) is working on “Kythnos Smart Island” is the biggest research and development project ever to be implemented in the Greek islands, which aims to build a local economy that is diverse, circular and sustainable.
The fight against energy poverty in Réunion Island
The Island of Réunion, thanks to its local energy agency Horizon Réunion, is implementing advanced techniques to reduce the energy demand of households.
PRISMI PLUS: Transferring a toolkit for RES Integration in Smart Mediterranean Islands and rural area
The Regional Energy Agency Kvarner was one of the partners behind the Interreg-MED project PRISMI PLUS, which envisioned a number of educational activities, including learnng new methodology that will ultimately assist public authorities in their energy transition planning.
The transition to electric transport in the heart of the Cyclades islands
The electrification of sea transportation between the two cycladic islands of Antiparos and Paros as well as an innovative business model that enhances cooperation between local authority and local private entity paves the way for Antiparos to becoming an eco-friendly destination, while creating new job opportunities.
Tackling Energy Poverty in Rural Areas
Due to high energy prices in the last years, many households are facing the problem of energy poverty. This was fought in the Medjimurje region by MENEA and the implementation of project CO-EMEP, oriented towards this phenomenon.
The first Greek islands powered by 100% renewables
The Aegean Energy and Environment Agency will support the Municipality of Central Corfu & Diapontia Islands to the full decarbonization of Ereikoussa and Othonoi island power systems, and the development of a smart marina in Mathraki island.
Samsø: A Leader recognised by the UN Global Climate Action Award
Read how the island of Samsø became the world's first renewable energy island in 10 years through the support of the Samsø Energy Academy.
100 % Sustainable La Gomera: Decarbonisation through Distributed Generation and Renewable Energy Microgrids
Find out how little by little, La Gomera, island of the Canary Archipelago (Spain), is becoming fueled by 100% renewable energy, helped by the Canary Islands Institute of Technology.
ESIN’s CARING Project is aimed at Helping Small Islands across Europe Advance their Energy Potential
Learn how the project CARING (Clean energy initiatives targeted to small islands), carried by ESIN, enables six small islands in the EU to advance their clean energy transition. One of those islands, Ile aux Moines in Brittany, which is part of the Ponant Islands Association, will implement electric mobility on the whole island.
Crete’s Clean Energy Transition Roadmap
Read about the establishment of the Action Plan for the Clean Energy Transition of the island of Crete, in Greece, led by the Crete Regional Energy Agency.
Promotion of Electromobility through Planning and Installation of EV Charging Networks in Greek Islands
Discover how the Greek Islands adapted to the National Plan for E-mobility and the obligation for all Municipalities to develop Electric Vehicle Charging Plans (EVCPs), accompanied by AEGEA in collaboration with DAFNI.
Energy retrofitting of municipal buildings in Greek islands
AEGEA, in support o DAFNI, promotes the uptake of energy efficiency measures for the municipal buildings in the Greek Archipelago.
The TIPPING Approach – Guiding innovation governance on islands towards a more sustainable future
The TIPPING approach teaches local government about the need for policy adaptations and promote innovation on remoted islands.
Small-scale Waste-to-Energy Projects in the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands Institute of Technology have recently launched two innovative waste-to-energy pilot projects.
Gozo, an eco-island in Malta
Together with the Gozo Regional Council, MIEMA recently set up the Gozo Regional Development Foundation to offer tailored services for the eco-island.
Kvarner islands as lighthouses of Primorje Gorski Kotar region’s decarbonisation
In the past couple of years, the Regional Energy Agency Kvarner (REAK) initiated a number of projects that promoted energy self-reliance and the carbon neutrality of islands, which are considered to have a large but untapped potential for renewable energy.
Samsø inspires sustainable communities around the world
The Samsø Energy Academy (Denmark) led a pilot project funded by the KR Foundation to share its experience, build capacity and provide leadership development opportunities about sustainable communities worldwide.
Samsø: Climate action with people at the center
Read how Samsø Energy Academy is working to make the Samsø island fossil-free by 2030 through a community-centred energy transition with local benefits.
Buildings energy improvement continues on islands
Read about Îles du Ponant new programme that will be in place until 2022 to improve all buildings to reduce carbon dioxide emission on the islands of Sein, Ouessant et Molène.
Turning Unije (Croatia) into an energy independent island
Read how REA Kvarner is helping Unije to become an energy independent island and a model for a number of similar small island communities in the Adriatic.