On 10 September, the Education for Climate community gathered for a Café on Energy Communities, hosted by community member Martin Brocklehurst. With 46 participants joining, the session explored how schools and institutions can take their first steps toward becoming energy communities or hubs and, in doing so, work toward neutralizing their carbon footprints.
The Café featured an introduction to energy communities, a teacher’s testimony about her school’s journey, and an interactive reflection exercise with a Miro Board to spark dialogue on practical first steps. Throughout, Martin encouraged participants to share ideas and questions, creating an engaging exchange.
The event closed with a call to action: exploring the creation of a challenge group on the Education for Climate platform. Twelve members expressed interest, opening the door to future collaboration and shared learning on becoming an energy community. So here we are. This group is for everyone from the community who is interested in transforming their school or similar entity into an energy community, or simply to learn about the process to raise awareness. It's for sharing resources, progress, challenges, legal procedures, lists of potential partners, including local energy co-ops or contacts to schools that have already done it.
Go to the 'Stream' tab to begin a conversation and access to Martin's resources.
Please note that a video recording of the café will be uploaded as soon as possible.