PRO Green Deal for Local Communities 2026

Schedule: April 7 - June 19, 2026

Format: Online/Offline.

Time commitment: 4-8 hours/week.

Language: Ukrainian (with simultaneous or consecutive interpretation from English to Ukrainian for EU experts).

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.

Application deadline: up to 1 March 2026

Announcement of selection results: by 31 March 2026

Main training period: April - June 2026

• Online course "English for Energy Advisers": 9 April - 18 June 2026

• Block I. Introductory online module: 20 - 24 April 2026

• Block II. Practical workshops on energy efficiency and district heating (online): 1 - 5 June 2026

• Block III. Summer School (offline): 15 - 19 June 2026

• Energy, climate and environmental advisers at local self-government bodies

• Representatives of relevant departments of city and town councils

• Teams responsible for energy management, development of Municipal Energy Plans (MEPs) and project preparation in the community

Participation format: up to 45 communities. The program targets small and medium-sized cities and towns with a population of approximately 20,000 to 100,000 residents.

We focus on communities from the western, central and southern regions of Ukraine that are under Ukrainian control in order to ensure as balanced geographic representation as possible.

Priority will be given to communities from Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Ternopil, Chernivtsi, Volyn, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad regions.

Block I. Introduction to Energy and Climate Policy (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 European Green Deal and its implementation in Ukraine, key policy instruments, the NECP and challenges at the local level.
• Learn of practical cases of Ukrainian cities that are already moving towards decarbonisation.

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.

Block II. 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.

• Work with energy data and an initial energy audit

• Gain technical insights into modern heating technologies and district heating networks.

• Explore real-life examples of successful projects and inspire them to implement similar initiatives in their communities.

• Plan decentralised generation and increase the resilience of the community energy system

Block III. 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 work on 1–2 priority directions throughout the Summer School to turn their work into a practical, community-specific output

• Will receive group and individual consultations from mentors and experts

• Will prepare final group presentations and present their results

Three main thematic areas of the programme:

1. Municipal Energy Plan (MEP)
   – structure and content of the MEP
   – aligning goals, priority measures, and roles within the municipality

2. Energy management in municipalities
   – establishing a basic energy management system

3. Grant applications and project design
   – overview of key donor and financing instruments for municipalities
   – translating MEP priority measures into project ideas
   – preparing short concept notes and basic financial models

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.

By the end of the program, community teams will have developed:

• A draft Municipal Energy Plan (MEP) with priorities and key measures

• A basic framework for an energy management system in the community

• 1–2 project concepts linked to the MEP that can be submitted for grants or other funding

• A short project pitch tested in front of an expert panel

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

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.

The application is open until 1 March 2026.

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 2026 and will participate in interviews in the second half of March 2026.

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 2026.

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."