As INTERREG IVC’s EnercitEE project has reached its halfway stage, the conference organized in the city of Wrocław provided a great opportunity to present its achievements so far with emphasis on regional outputs especially. With 8 sub-projects out of 11 featuring active Lower Silesian partners  (including 1 Lead Sub-Project Participant) the region is widely present in the mini-programme, which aims at seeking to implement the EU targets on energy efficiency practically.

The conference main objective was to promote knowledge and exchange of experience as well as present good practices, which influence efficient and sustainable use of energy and environmental resources. It was attended by over 50 participants from local and regional authorities and public institutions.

The conference was launched with a general description of the EnercitEE mini-programme. Afterwards three sub-projects with Polish partners, RIEEB, LEEAN and PRATLA were presented respectively by the representatives of the municipalities of Jelcz-Laskowice, Bielawa and KARR Development Agency, who underlined great benefits gained from their partnership in an international project on energy efficiency.

Mr Bartłomiej Ostrowski, the head of the Marshal's Office International Unit for Cooperation and Projects, is addressing the audience.

The other part was dedicated to the promotion of the Covenant of Mayors initiative – a European network for authorities inspired to practically reduce CO2 emissions by 20% by the year of 2020. Mr Gabor Nagy of the European Commission, which politically widely supports the network as a much praised bottom-up approach, provided an insightful view into the specifics and progress of the idea so far. He was followed by the representatives of two Lower Silesian municipalities, Bielawa and Dzierżoniów, discussing their experiences of taking part in the Covenant of Mayors and the things they managed to attain. At this point the participants could ask questions.

Mr Jerzy Tutaj, the member of the board of the region.

The conference was concluded with a good practice description of thermal refurbishment of a large regional health centre building featuring solar panels on the roof. As thermal refurbishment of existing buildings is still the most popular way to improve energy efficiency among Polish authorities (and might be a part of a Sustainable Energy Action Plan, SEAP), it should be noted that an increasing number of such investments is extended by some RES installation. Finally different financing opportunities from the Intelligent Energy – Europe programme were presented. The programme still has some free funds available for institutions wishing to join the Covenant of Mayors.