EU Sustainable Energy Week
Beyond the crisis: clean energy for green recovery and growth

The last week of June traditionally belongs to the biggest event dedicated to energy efficiency and renewables in Europe – EU Sustainable Energy Week. 15^th time organized Sustainable Energy Week took place not as usual in Brussels, but online between June 22 and 26, 2020. It was accompanied by Policy Conference, EUSEW Awards, Energy Days, networking activities, side events and for the first time, EUSEW introduced the European Youth Energy Day.

Policy Conference

This is the biggest European conference dedicated to topics of renewables and energy efficiency. The sessions are organized by the European Commission and energy stakeholders. Their focus is on sustainable energy issues, new policy developments, best practices and sustainable energy ideas.

The discussion went much around the European Green Deal and its Renovation Wave initiative which becomes even more crucial in the uncertain times of coronavirus crisis. Due to the current situation, the Renovation Wave will serve not only as an initiative boosting current low renovation rates but will become a means to support recovery process after the crisis, too.

We drive your attention toward one of the EUSEW's sessions

How can Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans transition to a zero-carbon economy after the COVID-19 crisis?

which talks about the specificities and potential of CEE countries for recovery and the transformation to a zero-carbon economy. Simultaneously, the session is directed to local and regional authorities interested in examples of good practice in this region.

Take the chance and check out more of EUSEW2020's interesting sessions available on EUSEW youtube channel:

• Boosting the European Green Deal Renovation Wave: presentation of the Renovation Wave initiative and how it can help in the recovery process
• Climate Pact and multilevel climate and energy dialogues - get involved!:

  the European Climate Pact is an initiative under the European Green Deal aiming to engage citizens and communities in action for greener Europe. The session provides inspiration on how a dialogue can be built between different stakeholders and sectors

• Decisive action on energy poverty: solutions from across the EU:
  the session addresses multi-stakeholder views on the ways energy poverty measures are developed and applied across Member States
• The role of local authorities in a fair energy transition, trough retrofitting buildings:
  in this session, different local and regional governments present their retrofitting strategies, share their experience and good practice
• Renovation Wave: Transformative actions towards carbon neutrality:
  the session accompanied by the launch of WorldGBC's new report profiling some of the most impactful renovation initiatives across Europe
• Spurring Europe's Renovation Wave - How #BETTERBUILDINGSEU can contribute to #EUGREENRECOVERY:
  how energy efficient, flexible and renewable-based buildings contribute to recovery plan and to climate neutrality, fostering industrial competition; and comfort and well-being of occupants
• Effective home renovation programs to stimulate the post COVID-19 recovery:
  how home renovation can be shaped to be inclusive and accessible to all by offering targeted support, special financing schemes and grants to vulnerable groups
• Empowering consumers through energy communities:
  awareness-raising session about opportunities offered to citizens when participating in Energy Communities and how it contributes to the recovery efforts

EUSEW Awards

The EUSEW Secretariat stands behind the EUSEW Awards together with the Technical Advisory Committee which brings together experts from different fields of sustainable energy. They then decide for the winning initiatives in different categories. Most common initiatives that apply for EUSEW Awards consist of citizen-led sustainable energy-awareness programs, public schemes promoting energy-saving buildings, and private companies leading the way in green tech and carbon-neutral manufacturing.

This year, EUSEW Awards had three categories - Innovation, Youth, and Engagement. Additionally, there were winners of Women in Energy Award, the Eastern Partnership Award and the Citizens' Award.

Energy Days

Energy Days – an opportunity for all to contribute. These days take place between May and June and can be held anywhere within the region of the European Union. It can be any digital activity or an event organized by local public or private organization which is non-profit and aims to attract the public to promote clean energy and energy efficiency. Just check out the map of Energy Days across Europe.

European Youth Energy Day

This was the first time this event took place during EUSEW. A special concept invited young enthusiastic EU citizens aged between 18 - 30 to talk about their visions on Europe’s energy future, to present their ideas on innovation and views on European Green Deal. This was a unique opportunity for European youth to meet and build a dialogue among themselves as well as with Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Green Deal, who was personally involved in the discussions. This event shall serve as a starting point of new collaboration and implementation of many great ideas, connecting young experts from different fields who are determined to make the European continent carbon-neutral and number one in the process.

Find more information about EUSEW2020 here.

Find all online sessions recorded here.