Over the past three years, ENGAGE has researched how social innovations – new social practices and forms of organization – can contribute to strengthened citizen participation in the energy transition. At the end of the project, the Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility (IKEM) has now published its research findings.
‘The energy transition is decentralized – but the many benefits of renewable energies are not always felt at the places where they are generated. Not only because local acceptance is essential for the necessary measures, we need to involve people and encourage positive changes on the ground. There are already numerous ideas for social and economic participation in the energy transition in Germany to meet this challenge. These need to be further strengthened,’ says IKEM project lead Dr Kathleen Pauleweit, summarizing the motivation behind the ENGAGE project.
In a comprehensive study, IKEM researchers have therefore analyzed various social innovations, including different forms of civic engagement, local energy transition initiatives and models for financial participation. Five case studies illustrate how socially innovative actors are driving forward the local energy transition and effectively involving citizens. The study also shows that social innovations and local actors contribute to the decarbonization and democratization of energy generation and create diverse opportunities for citizens to participate.
An integrated participation model for the local electricity transition was developed on the basis of the research. It systematizes various forms of citizen participation as well as associated opportunities and existing legal, economic or practical obstacles. The research partners from IKEM, Bündnis Bürgerenergie, 100 prozent erneuerbar stiftung and eueco also developed policy recommendations for politics and public administration, citizen energy communities and the energy industry. In a nutshell: local authorities and legislators should create a participation- and innovation-friendly political and legal framework with strategic goals for the energy sector so that the potential of social innovations can be utilized to accelerate the energy transition.
Other project results include an information poster that summarizes the ENGAGE study findings and policy recommendations. Profiles and further information on the various participation models and socially innovative actors from all over Germany can be found on the ENGAGE website.
The ENGAGE results will be presented and discussed with an expert audience at the ENGAGE final conference on Friday, 13 September 2024.
The ENGAGE project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) on the basis of a decision by the German Bundestag.
