Strengthening Renewable Energy Communities: RECinMED Project – Third Live Meeting in Bulgaria.
The third RECinMED live meeting, held on 27-28 May 2025 in the Municipality of Smolyan, Bulgaria, marked a significant step forward in the development of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) in the Mediterranean region. On behalf of Argonauta, Suzana Suman and Sanja Mihić participated, contributing to the discussions and sharing insights on the progress of the RECs in Island Areas Working Group.
The meeting focused on the progress of project activities and, among other things, we planned to produce materials for the TC. We also discussed the activities under Work Package 1 (WP1), which aims to establish RECs and promote a citizen-led energy transition. Argonauta, together with its partner RERA, presented the progress of the pilot project for the island of Šolta in the Split-Dalmatia County. The pilot project was designed to test the methodology for establishing and operating RECs in island regions, with the aim of replicating successful models on other Mediterranean islands.
The Working Group on Energy Communities in Island Areas, led by Neapolis University of Paphos, highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement and public participation in the success of RECs. The development of a methodology for public consultation and awareness-raising was also discussed, which will include workshops and educational activities on Šolta.
The meeting also discussed the carbon footprint of the project, highlighting the “avoid-reduce-compensate” approach as a key principle for minimizing the environmental impact of the project. Argonauta and other partners committed to monitoring and reporting on carbon emissions, ensuring the project’s compliance with sustainability goals.
The next project meeting is planned for late summer 2025 in Croatia. As the project enters its next phase, Argonauta remains committed to advancing renewable energy initiatives in island regions, contributing to a sustainable energy future for the Mediterranean.
In addition to technical discussions, the meeting provided an excellent opportunity for networking and building strong sectoral and cross-sectoral connections. Argonauta representatives connected with colleagues from other partner organizations, exchanging experiences and exploring potential collaborations. We would like to thank the host, Smolyan Municipality, for their hospitality.
Project REC IN MED is part of the Interreg program and is financed by the European Union.
