Pro Green Deal for Local Communities 2025

Schedule: April 7 - June 20, 2025

Format: Online/Offline.

Time commitment: 4-8 hours/week, with 4-5 hours of Energy English courses, deep dive sessions into Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, and mentorship.

Language: English (with translation option to Ukrainian).

Admissions: Participants will be selected by the selection committee, based on the results of the application form and interview (held in Ukrainian). Regional energy, climate and environment advisors in mayors' offices of medium-sized Ukrainian cities are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Scholarship: Scholarships are available to exceptional candidates.

PART І: Introductory Sessions on EU Regulatory Context (Online)

This stage provides participants with foundational knowledge of EU regulations. Participants will:

• Receive orientation on the program structure, objectives, and expected outcomes.
• Study foundational knowledge of EU regulations in the field of energy and climate and as it pertains to local communities.
• Gain an overview of the EU Green Deal and its implications for municipalities.
• Learn about how to access funding opportunities for energy and climate projects.

Through partnership with the Florence School of Regulation (FSR), participants will learn about key policy principles and tools used for implementing sustainable solutions in the EU. This block is also focused on forming effective working groups that will collaborate throughout the program.

PART ІІ: Practical Workshops on Energy Efficiency and Heating (Online)

Next, participants focus on developing practical skills and solutions. Through online workshops conducted with partners, participants will:

• Be equipped with the knowledge and tools to create actionable, phased plans for local renewable energy transformation.
• Gain technical insights into modern heating technologies and district heating networks.
• Use digital tools such as the LeadAir platform, which aids in effective air quality management at the local level.
• Explore real-life examples of successful projects and inspire them to implement similar initiatives in their communities.

PART ІІІ: Summer School (Offline)

The program culminates in an in-person Summer School, offering participants the chance to transform theoretical knowledge and foundational tools into actionable, community-specific outputs. Participants will:

• Collaborate in groups to work on developing final projects, with mentorship.
• Exchange knowledge with representatives from local European communities, such as success stories from Polish, German, and Ukrainian communities.
• Prepare for final group presentations.

The event is organized with the support of the Association of Amalgamated Territorial Communities and other partners, which will provide expert mentoring support.

Energy English Conversational Clubs  (Ongoing throughout the program)

Weekly sessions will help participants enhance their English language skills essential for effective communication with international partners, discussing technical issues, analyzing regulatory documents, and preparing for knowledge exchange during the Summer School. These sessions will cover key topics of the course, with a focus on terminology necessary to understand EU climate and energy policies.

After successfully completing our comprehensive program, participants will be awarded a Green Deal Ukraїna certificate, jointly delivered by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), Kyiv School of Energy Policy (KSEP), and the Florence School of Regulation (FSR).

• Participants will leave with a concrete deliverable, such as a resilient proposal of an energy plan or a grant proposal, to implement in their local community.
• Participants will gain a robust network of energy experts through an active alumni network and in-person events, like the Green Deal Ukraїna annual high-level policy event held in Kyiv.
• Finally, participants will become valued members of our community and will receive exclusive invitations to participate in various activities hosted by these esteemed institutions.

Current (or future) regional energy, climate, and environment advisors in mayors’ offices from medium-sized and small Ukrainian communities, including both city and town communities. We are now expanding our focus to include regions in the north, south, and central parts of Ukraine with priority given to communities from Kyiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Dnipro, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr regions.

We are looking for someone who has a clear vision of why they wish to participate in the program and what they plan to get out of it.

The application is open until 1 March 2025.

To participate in the program, please complete the registration form. Selected applicants will be invited for a 15-minute interview. Please note that the number of participants is limited.

Application documents must be submitted through the google form. Any application material sent over email will not be considered.

The selection process will consist of two steps:

1. The selection committee will review applications to identify suitable candidates.
2. Candidates who advance to the next stage will be notified in the first half of March 2025 and will participate in interviews between March 15 to March 28, 2025.

Based on the interview results, 45 territorial communities will be selected and notified via email.

Therefore, we kindly ask all applicants to be prepared for a 15-minute interview during the second half of March 2025.

Feedback from last year’s participants

"The summer module in Ivano-Frankivsk and the site visits were incredibly valuable. The opportunity to network and exchange practical experiences in an offline format greatly enhanced the learning process. I would definitely recommend this course to my colleagues."

"The live sessions, discussions, and practical exchanges were the highlights for me. The timing of some sessions could be improved, but overall, everything was well-organized. I believe this course is a must for anyone in the energy sector."

 "The webinars with experts were particularly beneficial. Although the course took place in July, which is not the best timing for me, the content and delivery were excellent. I would highly recommend this course to others."

 "The offline camp was a unique experience that provided me with new connections and deep insights into energy policy. It was an enriching experience, and I would encourage my peers to participate."

"All the sessions and webinars were valuable for me. The course was conducted at a very high level, and I believe it will have a lasting impact on my professional growth. I wholeheartedly recommend this program."