Synergy of the EEA and the Covenant of Mayors: a coordination meeting of initiatives took place

Since 2009, the Association of Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine (EECU) has been promoting the implementation of the Covenant of Mayors - East initiative in Ukraine. In 2018, EECU was recognized as the National Office of the European Energy Award (EEA) in Ukraine. How do these two initiatives affect Ukrainian municipalities? EECU tried to answer this question during a coordination meeting held on Thursday, January 23.

The event brought together representatives of the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine, the Embassy of Switzerland, as well as the Covenant of Mayors East project teams, the national office of the European Energy Award in Ukraine.

The participants discussed the principles of integrated planning in cities and the development of energy management through the implementation of the EEA and the Covenant of Mayors. They also considered differences in approaches to their application at the local level. The outcome of the meeting was a call to deepen further cooperation between the projects aimed at creating new opportunities for municipalities.

“Both initiatives apply CoM and EEA internationally and have a common goal. They provide a framework for local governments to improve their energy and climate projects and reduce carbon emissions,” commented Nina Dausch, Energy and Climate Expert at ENCO AG.

The participants emphasized the possibility of further harmonization of the methodology for energy planning, which will allow comparing the progress of cities and promote more effective management. The Association of Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine will continue to integrate the EEA and Covenant of Mayors methodologies to avoid duplication of efforts at the local level. Specific activities within this framework are already planned:

• A meeting of the teams and discussion of further cooperation between the initiatives.
• Cooperation of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving with the EEA and the Covenant of Mayors East project on energy efficiency planning at the national, regional and local levels.
• Development of the EEA as a tool for recovery planning in war-affected cities.
• Reducing bureaucratic obligations for cities through the integration of planning and reporting processes.
• Implementation of the MEMCU project to finance demonstration projects in communities over the next 5 years.

“Participants agreed that the Covenant of Mayors is a tool for setting climate goals and formulating projects that can lead to them, which can be achieved. The Covenant of Mayors is a tool for qualitative assessment and development of the management capacity of communities, and the formation of certain management decisions to implement these projects. Together, these approaches create more opportunities and fewer obligations for communities,” Svyatoslav Pavliuk summarized the meeting.

Both initiatives are important tools to support Ukrainian municipalities in the context of post-war recovery and the country's changing energy landscape.

If you would like to learn more about the meeting, you can watch the recording here.