The WISE Pan-European Conference was set to be a transformative gathering focused on addressing the pressing issue of energy poverty and vulnerability among single women across Europe. Organised by the Women in Solidarity for Energy (WISE) Project Partner INZEB, with the support of the Bulgarian partner Orion Grid, on Friday, December 6th, 2024, at the Boyana Complex in Sofia, Bulgaria, this landmark event brought together experts, policymakers, advocates, and community leaders to collaboratively explore solutions for creating a just and inclusive clean energy transition.
Single women are disproportionately affected by energy poverty, facing challenges three to four times greater than the general population. This conference seek to shed light on the root causes of this inequality, amplify the voices of those impacted, and foster collective action to address their unique needs. Guided by the principles of equity and justice, the event prioritised making access to clean, affordable energy a fundamental human right.
Through a carefully curated programme of plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and thought-provoking discussions, participants delved into the challenges faced by single women in diverse contexts. The conference participants examined practical solutions, from improving housing efficiency to boosting energy literacy and advocating for inclusive policy reforms. Highlights include sharing best practices from WISE partner countries, strategies for building an EU-wide energy solidarity movement, and engaging sessions on integrating human rights perspectives into energy transition efforts.
The WISE Pan-European Conference called for solidarity and action. It was a space where knowledge, collaboration, and advocacy converged to ensure that no one was left behind in the journey toward sustainable energy.
The day began with registration and networking, allowing participants to connect and lay the groundwork for meaningful exchanges throughout the event. The opening session featured Milena Stateva (The Orion Grid), Marilyn Smith (The Energy Action Project, EnAct), and Alice Corovessi (INZEB), introducing the WISE project’s vision and objectives. Together, they set the tone for the day, emphasising the collective ambition to address systemic energy inequities and empower vulnerable populations.
The first plenary session focused on the current status and planned actions in the seven WISE partner countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, and the Netherlands. Moderated by Marielle Feenstra (75inQ), this session included presentations from Elitsa Kapusheva (The Orion Grid), Paula Damaška (Green Energy Cooperative, ZEZ), Marilyn Smith (EnAct), Polina Gkioka (Wind of Renewal), Ana Stojilovska (HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences), Federica Ragazzo (RETE Assist), and Marlies Hesselman (Faculty of Law, University of Groningen). Each speaker highlighted insights from national Collectives held in October – November 2024, offering a comparative lens on shared challenges and innovative approaches.
Alice Corovessi (INZEB) moderated the plenary session on launching an EU-wide energy solidarity movement for single women. The session featured Saska Petrova (University of Manchester), Lidija Živčič (Co-founder of Focus), and Irene Gonzales-Pijuan (Alliance Against Energy Poverty). The speakers discussed mechanisms for scaling WISE initiatives and fostering collaborations across Europe to build a united front for energy equity.
Conference participants engaged in interactive workshops addressing specific dimensions of energy poverty. Facilitated by experts such as Alice Corovessi, Irene Gonzales-Pijuan, Federica Petraroli, Eva Schwab, and Polina Gkioka, these workshops tackle critical topics, including housing efficiency, boosting energy literacy, empowering advocates, and addressing the unique needs of marginalised and migrant groups. Each workshop was designed to foster dialogue and generate actionable strategies. In parallel, a special session led by Paula Damaška and Elitsa Kapusheva invites young people in Bulgaria to explore national challenges and solutions, encouraging the next generation to address energy poverty actively.
In the afternoon, participants consolidated their discussions during a strategy session, during which key insights from the workshops were shared. These contributions, presented by group rapporteurs, will feed into WISE’s broader agenda, ensuring practical and implementable outcomes from the day’s deliberations.
The conference then transitioned to exploring energy vulnerability through a human rights lens. Moderated by Milena Stateva (The Orion Grid), this session featured contributions from Marlies Hesselman (University of Groningen), Rosalyn Park (Women’s Human Rights Program), and Dr. Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob (American University in Bulgaria). The speakers examined the intersection of EU directives, human rights frameworks, and systemic energy injustices, emphasising the need to integrate equity and justice into energy transition efforts.
The conference concluded with a call to action led by Marilyn Smith (EnAct) and Alice Corovessi (INZEB). They summarised the day’s key takeaways, outlined the next steps for WISE’s initiatives, and emphasised opportunities for continued collaboration at local, national, and European levels. Participants left the event equipped with insights, a shared sense of purpose, and clear pathways to contribute to addressing energy poverty.
Click the button to access the detailed WISE Pan-European Conference agenda.