The research report “Energy Democracy and Energy Poverty in Europe: Focus on the Western Balkans”, developed within the framework of the POWERINGCITIZENS project, examines, through a mixed-methods approach, how EU strategies for sustainable development and climate neutrality (European Green Deal, Fit for 55 package, and NextGenerationEU) can contribute to empowering energy-poor citizens and advancing energy democracy in Italy, Greece, Germany, Kosovo, Albania, and the Netherlands. Emphasis is given to the Western Balkans, where energy poverty levels are notably high due to structural vulnerabilities, economic challenges, and insufficient infrastructure.
The report evaluates how national and local governance schemes address the needs of vulnerable groups, facilitate citizen engagement, support inclusive energy transition processes, and alleviate energy poverty through targeted policies and community-based initiatives. The key findings of this analysis shed light to significant gaps between expectations and reality. Indicatively, procedural delays, limited administrative capacities, uneven regional deployment, weak mechanisms for citizen participation, are factors that hinder effective solutions, especially in Western Balkans.
The report concludes with a set of strategic recommendations for overcoming these challenges, such as strengthening governance cooperation, enhancing local administrative capacities, promoting citizen-led energy initiatives and integrating the concept of energy justice into climate action plans, serving as a guidance for policymakers, local authorities and stakeholders commited to fostering sustainable and participatory energy systems in Europe.