FEDARENE Vice-President Vlasta Krmelj Joins the European Committee of the Regions

FEDARENE is proud to announce that our Vice-President for Financing and Investments, Vlasta Krmelj, has officially become a full member of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) as of 26 January 2025. Representing Slovenia, she will contribute her extensive expertise in energy, climate, and financing to the European policymaking landscape, reinforcing the essential link between local action and European ambition.

A Leader in Energy, Climate, and Financing

Vlasta Krmelj has been at the forefront of sustainable energy and climate action for nearly two decades. She has served as the Director of the Regional Energy and Climate Agency of Podravje (ENERGAP) since 2006, working on innovative financing models such as Energy Performance Contracting (EPC), Green Bonds, and citizens’ financing schemes. Since 2018, she has also been the Mayor of Selnica ob Dravi, where she has actively implemented sustainable development strategies at the municipal level.

As a full member of the CoR, Vlasta will now have an even stronger platform to advocate for the needs of local and regional authorities in EU decision-making. She is part of the European People’s Party (EPP) Group and will be contributing to two key commissions: the Commission for Economic Policy (ECON) and the Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE).

The Role of the European Committee of the Regions

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives. It provides a platform for cities and regions to influence EU legislation and ensures that the local dimension is considered in policymaking. The CoR issues opinions on proposed EU laws and policies, offering valuable insights from the ground up.

“EU strategies often focus on the national level, but real implementation happens locally and regionally, where challenges and solutions are best understood. My priority is to ensure that the EU Green Deal and sustainability goals are really going local.”

Vlasta Krmelj

FEDARENE looks forward to supporting Vlasta and working alongside the CoR to enhance the role of cities, regions, and energy agencies in Europe’s decarbonisation. Her leadership, expertise, and deep understanding of the interplay between local action and EU policy will undoubtedly strengthen the role of regional and local authorities in shaping Europe’s energy and climate future.