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Covenant of Mayors East Signatories Participate in Energy Cities Annual Forum 2025
From 8–10 April 2025, CoM East signatories from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine took part in the Energy Cities Annual Forum in Besançon, France. Marking the 35th anniversary of Energy Cities, the event brought together over 200 participants from across Europe to exchange practices, explore solutions, and foster partnerships in the field of local climate and energy action.
The host city, Besançon—awarded the European Energy Award Gold—offered a compelling environment for knowledge exchange.
On 9 April, participants joined one of five thematic Journeys designed to showcase innovative local approaches and foster practical dialogue.
Journey 1 – Engagement for Cooperation
Participants explored the Grette Brulard area development, a brownfield regeneration project transforming 25 hectares into a mixed-use residential district. In the afternoon, a workshop on City Stories of Citizen Engagement examined how municipalities have evolved from informal participation to structured collaboration in local energy planning.
Journey 2 – Innovative Partnerships for a “100% Renewables” City
Visits included the Planoise wood-fired boiler plant and Port Douvot wastewater treatment facility. The workshop 100% Renewable in Action focused on mechanisms for scaling up renewables through intersectoral collaboration.
Journey 3 – Doing Better with Less
This route examined circular economy in urban redevelopment, including the Arsenal school renovation project—France’s first government-backed reuse initiative in education—and the work of Hôp Hop Hop, a local reuse association.
Journey 4 – Eating Well, Eating Local
Participants visited the Graines de maraîchers nursery to learn about local, organic food production and entrepreneurship. Discussions in the workshop Local Authorities as Drivers of Change in the Food Environment emphasised food policy as a climate tool.
Journey 5 – Adapting to Climate Change
The adaptation-focused journey included site visits to Place de la Révolution and the Jules Ferry School—examples of urban cooling interventions. In the workshop Communities at the Heart of Resilience, Maksym Terletskyi from Lviv (Ukraine) presented post-war greening initiatives such as urban gardens, pocket parks, and nature-based designs, stressing the importance of community-led recovery and climate resilience.
The forum also included closed Mayors’ Club sessions on inclusive renewables, clean heating, and resource-wise urban planning. At the Inspiration Fair, CoM East participants explored the newly launched Local Transitions Learning Centre—an EU-supported platform offering peer exchange and capacity-building tools.
Source: Energy Cities