The World Sustainable Energy Days 2024 (WSED) conference, held from 5 to 8 March 2024 in Wels, Austria, emerged as a platform uniting over 650 specialists from more than 60 countries. Among the array of workshops, the 'Cities and Regions' workshop, co-organized by PROSPECT+ and ManagEnergy, stood out for its spotlight on inspiring examples from local leaders across Europe.

The collaboration between PROSPECT+ and ManagEnergy further enriched the discourse on sustainability during the event. This workshop explored the diverse aspects of sustainability, covering a range of topics from retrofitting and renewable energies to energy communities and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and from enhancing energy efficiency to advancing broader climate action initiatives.

The workshop witnessed active participation from over 80 delegates representing a spectrum of stakeholders including local and regional energy agencies, public authorities, academia, NGOs, and EU institutions. This diversity of voices and expertise underscored the collaborative spirit necessary to tackle the challenges of sustainable energy transition effectively.

Anette Jahn, Head of the Sector at the LIFE Climate and Energy Unit at CINEA, shed light on how the LIFE Clean Energy Transition sub-programme empowers projects dedicated to achieving an energy-efficient, renewable energy-based, and climate-neutral Europe. Her presentation emphasized the role played by cities, regions, and energy agencies in driving concrete advancements aligned with EU energy policies.

The discourse and exchanges during the WSED 2024 conference underscored the imperative of fostering local leadership and collaborative partnerships to drive sustainable energy transition. Through initiatives like PROSPECT+, local public authorities are empowered with knowledge, resources, and networks to catalyze impactful change in their communities and regions. As Europe marches towards a greener future, such initiatives serve as guiding lights illuminating the path towards a sustainable and resilient energy landscape.