Expression of Interest
Are you ready to lead the energy transition in your territory?
The Expression of Interest is the gateway for local actors in the Western Balkans to apply as lighthouse projects under the “Better Cohesion through Development of Energy Communities” initiative. This call invites municipalities, associations, informal groups, and existing energy communities to take part in a transformative journey — supporting the setup, empowerment and potential investment in Renewable Energy Communities (RECs).
Applicants can join at different stages:
Phase 1: For those looking to activate a new energy community from the ground up — from stakeholder mobilisation to legal establishment.
Phase 2: For existing RECs ready to assess feasibility and scale up with light infrastructure investment.
Selected participants will benefit from:
- Tailored technical assistance and mentoring
- Support in financial planning and community governance
- Access to the customised Energy Management Tool
- Visibility, networking, and knowledge-sharing across the EUSAIR region
- Up to € 200,000 in financial support, depending on project scope and maturity
This Expression of Interest is not just about deploying solar panels or setting up legal entities. It's about making energy transition inclusive, participatory and replicable — turning clean energy into a catalyst for social equity and territorial cohesion.
Two-Round call system and timeline
Two application rounds will be open — allowing time for both early-stage proposals and more advanced ones to mature.
The Expression of Interest is structured around a two-round call system, allowing time for both early-stage proposals and more advanced ones to mature. This approach is designed to ensure flexibility, inclusiveness, and equal opportunities for applicants at different levels of readiness. Each round consists of a draft proposal deadline, a negotiation phase, and a final submission deadline.
Applicants are encouraged to engage with the process even at an early or conceptual stage of their initiative, as technical support and guidance will be provided to strengthen and finalise proposals.
Structure of the two-round call
Round 1
Draft proposal submission deadline: 16 July 2025
Negotiation phase: 17 July – 22 August 2025
Final proposal submission deadline: 8 September 2025
Round 2
Draft proposal submission deadline: 20 October 2025
Negotiation phase: 21 October – 21 November 2025
Final proposal submission deadline: 5 December 2025
This two-phase process ensures that applicants who are not fully ready by the first round can still participate in the second round and that each Western Balkan country may be represented by up to two selected projects. If a country does not reach its quota in the first round, further opportunities remain open in the second.
What Happens After Submission
Draft proposals are reviewed for alignment with the objectives of the Action and their potential impact.
Selected applicants from each draft round enter a negotiation phase to refine and strengthen their proposals
Final proposals are then submitted and formally evaluated to determine eligibility for technical assistance and potential financial support