Within the framework of the PROSPECT+ program, capacity building project, cities, regions and local energy agencies will be invited to improve the financial capacities needed to implement action plans for sustainable energy and climate

, all with the aim of achieving the climate and energy goals of the EU. 

Due to the current energy crisis, the climate and energy goals of the European Union are increasingly ambitious, which puts before public bodies across Europe the imperative to accelerate the energy transformation despite the reduced availability of subsidies. This implies the necessity of using financing instruments other than subsidies. Local and regional authorities together with local and regional energy agencies have the potential to be the driving force of the energy transition.

However, not all public bodies are at the same level of engagement: regardless of their size and geographical location, some are advanced in the fight against climate change mitigation and adaptation, while others are lagging behind. One of the factors responsible for the differences is the lack of resources, both in terms of funding and insufficient knowledge. The financing of sustainable energy and climate projects is difficult primarily due to the lack of internal capacity to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective financial instruments and implementation models. 

PROSPECT+ offers mentoring and training on innovative funding programmsin five thematic areas: public buildings, private buildings, public lighting, transportation and cross-sectoral categories. The emphasis is also on improving the decision-making of cities and regions on how to select projects for financing, as well as how to assess and ensure the readiness of projects for financing. Participation in PROSPECT+ is free, and all local and regional public bodies and their energy agencies from Europe (EU27, UK and H2020) can apply. 

By participating in the PROSPECT+ capacity building program, local and regional authorities and energy agencies will have the opportunity to collaborate with experienced colleagues who will share their knowledge of innovative funding programms through mentoring sessions. In this way, they will be able to overcome the challenges in financing the implementation of their energy and climate plans.

As part of the preparations for the third training cycle that will start in August/September 2023, new calls for trainees and mentors will be opened as follows:

• Invitation for training participants: from March 2^nd to April 14.2023.

• Call for mentors: from May 22 to June 7, 2023.

• An informative webinar for candidates will be held on March 2, 2023. (registration). 

All information about the call for applications will be published on the PROSPECT+ website and Linkedin page PROSPECT+ Cities and Regions Capacity Building. 

Since 2017, PROSPECT+ has provided assistance to 250 cities and regions. 

Source: ENERGY CITIES