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Energy Community Insights: Croatia's National Coalition
The Life COMET project aims to transform the community energy landscape in Central and Eastern Europe through assessment, experience sharing, and coalition building. Our series of blog posts “Energy Community Insights: A Tour of Central & Eastern Europe” explores the emergence and growth of national coalitions of energy communities in Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia.
This blog post introduces Croatia’s national coalition of energy communities: the Forum of Energy Communities, offering an overview of the coalition’s activities and an inside look through the eyes of one of its representatives, Josip Beber, co-leader of the coalition.
Croatia’s Community Energy Coalition
The Community Energy Coalition in Croatia is a dynamic force dedicated to shaping a citizen-led energy transition. With a focus on policy recommendations, stakeholder collaboration, capacity building, and real-world implementation, the coalition is working to remove barriers and create an enabling regulatory environment for energy communities.
A key milestone in its policy recommendations is the signing of the coalition’s charter, which calls for the removal of obstacles and the establishment of at least 1 GW of community energy by 2030. Through workshops such as “The Future of Energy Communities in Croatia” and national roundtable discussions, the coalition fosters dialogue between local authorities, policymakers, and citizens.
Additionally, it prioritizes capacity building by hosting training sessions, sharing best practices, and implementing pilot projects that showcase the potential of community-led energy solutions. By raising public awareness and promoting active participation, the coalition seeks to demonstrate that energy communities are not only viable but essential for Croatia’s sustainable future.
A Conversation with Josip Beber: The Vision Behind the Coalition
Josip Beber, co-leader of the Forum of Energy Communities in Croatia and representative of the Green Energy Cooperative (ZEZ), shared his insights on the coalition’s mission and challenges:
What drives your involvement in the coalition?
“I firmly believe that a citizen-led energy transition is the most effective way to foster a sense of responsibility among energy consumers. When people take ownership of their energy needs, they are more likely to embrace energy-saving practices and prioritize renewable sources. Additionally, energy should be managed as a public good at the local level, ensuring communities have direct access to clean, sustainable power.”
What challenges have you faced in building the coalition?
“It’s surprising how often we find ourselves repeating the same explanations about energy communities to various stakeholders. Despite our expertise, simplifying the concept in a way that resonates with the general public and policymakers remains a challenge. Additionally, one of our biggest hurdles was expanding the perspectives of coalition members. Many were initially focused on their individual projects or local interests, making it difficult to foster a shared vision. However, bridging this gap has ultimately strengthened our collaborative approach.”
What is your long-term vision for the coalition?
“Our primary goal is to create a supportive framework that enables the growth of energy communities throughout Croatia, making renewable energy accessible to everyone. We focus on policy recommendations at the national level, technical assistance, and knowledge exchange among members. Looking ahead, I envision the coalition becoming a leading example of best practices in the region, driving the establishment of a robust network of community-led energy projects. My ultimate goal is for us to collectively achieve 1 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, making a significant impact on Croatia’s energy landscape.”
Through the dedication of its members and strategic efforts, the Community Energy Coalition in Croatia is paving the way for a future where renewable energy is not just a policy goal, but a community-driven reality.
