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Cretans had the opportunity to participate in two very interesting events in Heraklion and Arkalochori, on October 20 and 21.

This is a two-day information and training session on dealing with energy poverty held within the framework of the "Energy Advisors and Mentors" Educational Program, which is organized by INZEB in collaboration with the Minoan Energy Community and is under the auspices of the Region of Crete.

From the targeted speeches that took place, the need to change the behavior of households and businesses regarding the use of energy and the importance of energy efficiency interventions in buildings was highlighted.

At the same time, the participants familiarized themselves with the toolkit that has been developed in the framework of the POWERPOOR project to identify and alleviate energy-vulnerable households.

Particular emphasis was placed on promoting the culture of citizen participation in open collaborative schemes such as broad-based Energy Communities, which will allow them to become not only consumers but also producers of their own energy.

The program provides certification as an Energy Consultant and Mentor, through an evaluation process, in order to further promote the dissemination of both good practices in the use of energy and ways of dealing with energy poverty, through the creation and participation in Energy Communities.

At a critical occasion, where energy emerges as the major issue for Europe, this initiative takes on particular importance. And this is proven both by the number of participants and by the variety of their specialties.

It is a fact that living in insufficiently heated or cool households negatively affects human health and well-being. Furthermore, people who are unable to meet their basic energy needs are often unable to be active members of society.

Greece is one of the poorest energy countries in Europe and at the same time has an incredible solar and wind wealth. The implementation of good practices in the use of energy, the energy upgrading of buildings and infrastructures and the participation of citizens in broad-based Energy Communities can provide a solution to the problem.

In Thessaloniki, at the program event Congregate MINOAN ENERGY present the project and the collaborations it has developed both with local government bodies and with domestic and European partners.

The aim of the event was to discuss the results of the feasibility studies for the establishment of energy communities in the form of Public Private Partnerships in the nine beneficiary municipalities from the three project countries, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Greece, and to present the next steps that have been scheduled.

The conference organized by INZEB, the "Urban Non-Profit Organization for Achieving Zero Energy Balance", which promotes ways to tackle energy poverty, and the establishment of public-private partnerships for renewable energy.

At the meeting of the partners of Bulgaria, Greece and the Czech Republic, which took place at the Lazarte Hotel on September 30, 2022, MINOAN ENERGY as a participatory citizen initiative, as well as the multifaceted support of the Region of Crete as its main shareholder, were once again an example of good practice for the Greek and European energy ecosystem.

The invited were representatives of the Government, the Local Self-Government of the first and second degree, the European Parliament, as well as representatives of the scientific community.

MINOAN ENERGY was represented by its member of the Board of Directors and special advisor of the Region of Crete, Ermioni Gialiti, who presented the activities of the Community so far, as well as the initiatives to strengthen participatory processes by the Region, implementing in practice the policies of Effective Governance and of active environmental management.