EUKI Conference 2022

Fostering the Green Transition

20 - 21 September 2022

On-site in Berlin & Online

ABOUT

How can we strive for climate neutrality in times of crisis? The Kremlin's war in Ukraine, Russia's current aggressions, and the varying dependencies on its fossil fuels amongst European countries have led to massive energy shortages throughout the continent. This has triggered a shift in Europe’s public narrative: the transition to renewable energy systems is no longer a “(how) should we do it?” matter, but rather a “how fast can we do it?” one.

Across the continent, the urgency of transforming our economies, cities, and ways of life towards a cleaner and greener future is picking up speed. How can we make use of this dynamic? Which energy sources and technologies help secure energy independence in the short run, while boosting climate action in the long run? Which solutions do EUKI projects already provide, and what more is needed for a climate-neutral future?

The EUKI Conference 2022 will provide an on-site and online space for more than 250 EUKI project members, representatives from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), and the EU Commission to ponder on these questions. Join us for two days full of dialogue and collaboration – to foster the green transition in Europe!

AGENDA

#EUKICON22 offers high-level keynote sessions, interactive workshops, future labs and networking opportunities.  

Day 1 (20 September 2022)

09:30 – 10:00

Check-in and coffee

10:00 – 10:05

Welcome by moderator Verena Ringler

Director & Founder AGORA European Green Deal

10:05 – 10:20

Welcome by BMWK and EUKI Secretariat

  • Dr. Simon Marr, Head of Division European Climate Policy, European Climate Initiative, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
  • Ulrike Leis, Deputy Director Project Finance Programme European Climate Initiative (EUKI)

10:20 – 10:30

Introduction of program by moderator Verena Ringler

10:30 – 11:00

Conference opening:
Fostering the green transition: facing crises, staying on track

The Fit for 55 Package and the recently proposed REPowerEU Package are key references for all climate stakeholders from Europe. How does the EUKI community support a climate friendly approach during times of crisis? How can new and innovative approaches help us to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel imports and to stay on the green transition track?

The conference will be opened by:

  • Dr. Patrick Graichen, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
  • Berthold Goeke, Deputy Director General, National and European Climate Policy, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
  • Yvon Slingenberg, Director, DG Climate Action, European Commission

11:00 – 11:15

Coffee break

11:15 – 12:15

Challenges and opportunities – How EUKI projects accelerate the green transition

How can the multiple local and regional successes be harnessed in times of challenge? How can the awareness regarding the European Green Deal, the REPowerEU Plan and the Fit for 55 package throughout the European society be increased?

  • Anelia Stefanova, Energy Transformation Area Leader, CEE Bankwatch
  • Dr. Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf, Senior Fellow & Head of the International and European Governance Program, Ecologic Institute
  • Štěpán Vizi, Project Coordinator, Centre for Transport and Energy

Q&A with audience

12:15 – 12:45

EUKI success stories

A poster exhibition will show cast the various accomplishments of the EUKI projects.

12:45 – 13:45

Lunch

13:45 – 14:15

Breakout groups

14:15 – 15:15

Impact and potential of a funding instrument – EUKI’s role towards the green transition

BMWK and EUKI projects will discuss which role EUKI should play in the countries receiving EUKI funding. Looking at the energy crisis and other new issues we need to address as a community: In which areas did EUKI already have an impact and in which areas is there still potential?

  • Dragomir Tzanev, Executive Director EnEffect center for energy efficiency
  • Ada Ámon, Chief Advisor to the Mayor of Budapest on Climate Affairs
  • Visar Azemi, Executive Director, Balkan Green Foundation
  • Dr. Simon Marr, Head of Division European Climate Policy, European Climate Initiative

Q&A with audience

15:15 – 15:45

 Wrap up and outlook

15:45 – 20:00

Networking event – celebration of 5 years of EUKI

Celebrating 5 years of EUKI with on-site participants: Group picture, cake and toasting to EUKI’s fifth anniversary

Day 2 (21 September 2022)

09:30 – 10:00

Check-in and coffee

10:00 – 10:15

Welcome by moderator Verena Ringler and check-in

10:15 – 10:45

News from the EUKI Secretariat: upcoming events and information

  • Dr. Simon Marr, Head of Division European Climate Policy, European Climate Initiative, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
  • Ulrike Leis, Deputy Director of EUKI and Elsa Benhöfer, Head of EUKI Academy

10:45 – 11:30

Gathering ideas to accelerate the green transition - three Future Tracks

Focusing on the future of the climate transition, three speakers will share their ideas and perspectives in inspirational speeches.

  1. Sustainable Prosperity for Europe – Linkages across policy areas to foster the green transition:
    Annika Hedberg, Head of Sustainable Prosperity for Europe programme, European Policy Center
  2. New ways of thinking – Doughnut Economics as a hopeful framework for local action:
    Leonora Grcheva, Cities and Regions Lead, Doughnut Economics Action Lab
  3. How communication accelerates transition:
    Sven Egenter, Editor in Chief and Executive Director, Clean Energy Wire (CLEW)

11:30 – 11:45

Coffee break and networking

11:45 – 13:15

EUKI Future Labs

The Future Labs will focus on what is needed and how we need to equip ourselves and our projects in order to tackle current challenges. The conversation is based on the EUKI project experiences, lessons learned, and peer-to-peer advice, with regards to the three “Future Tracks”.

The Future Labs will be moderated by EUKI experts with a short reflection on:

  • Inter-sectoral cooperation to support the transformation towards a net-zero passenger transport:
    Dr. Andrzej Ancygier, Senior Climate Energy Analyst, Climate Analytics

  • Transforming coal regions:
    Mateusz Kowalik, Project Leader, Polish Green Network

  • Empower civil society to engage in the hydrogen (H2) debate:
    Maria Santos, Representative of ZERO

  • Energy Scouts enhance energy efficiency in businesses:
    Max Junghanns, Project Lead Young Energy Europe

  • Solar community energy:
    Vedad Suljić, Representative of Regional Education and Information Centre for Sustainable Development for Southeast Europe, REIC

  • Industrial decarbonisation:
    Christian Kvorning, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM

  • Advance transnational climate policy in Western Balkan:
    Zana Vokopola, Executive Director of Urban Research Institute
  • Remove barriers to the introduction of a renewable power-to-heat system:
    Tibor Oestereich, Project Manager at 100 prozent erneuerbare stiftung

13:15 – 14:15

Lunch

14:15 – 14:45

Presentation of results from working groups and discussion

Together the inspirational speakers and the workshop participants will discuss the results.

14:45 – 15:15

Closing session: wrap up and conclusion

15:15 – 17:00

Networking over coffee

SPEAKER

Dr Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf

Dr Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf is Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute and Head of the International and European Governance Program. With a background in international and European law, his work focuses on climate protection, EU policies, democracy and governance. He writes regularly for the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the Tagesspiegel, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, EU Observer and IPG.

Annika Hedberg

Annika Hedberg is the Head of a Sustainable Prosperity for Europe Programme at the European Policy Centre (EPC), an independent think tank based in Brussels, Belgium. She joined the EPC in 2010 and over the years has worked on a wide range of policy areas, including climate, energy, environment, health, and industrial transformation.  In her role as the Head of Programme, she aims to promote discussion on the foundations and drivers for a more sustainable and competitive European economy.

Sven Egenter

Sven Egenter heads Clean Energy Wire CLEW as Editor in Chief and Executive Director. He covered the German, Swiss and British economies during his 12 years at Reuters. He taught journalism at Kingston University and holds a MS in Journalism from Boston University and a degree in economics from the University of Münster. 

Dragomir Tzanev

Dragomir Tzanev is Executive Director of Center for Energy Efficiency EnEffect and official representative of Municipal Energy Efficiency Network EcoEnergy – Bulgaria; member of the Advisory Board of the International Passive House Conference and of the UNECE Group of Experts on Energy Efficiency. He is author of a series of publications and lecturer at numerous international conferences in the field of sustainable energy policies, financing, training and education, municipal energy planning and management.

Ada Ámon

Ada Ámon became chief advisor to the Mayor of Budapest on climate affairs right after the election and now leads the climate and environment unit of the city hall. Previously she was a lead on European energy efficiency activities and oversaw the Central Eastern European activities at E3G – Third Generation Environmentalism. Prior to this she was the CEO of the Budapest based thinktank, Energiaklub for more than 15 years.

Visar Azemi

Visar Azemi is the executive director at Balkan Green Foundation. His current duties and responsibilities include strategic engagements with governments, civil society and the private sector to support the Western Balkan transition towards a sustainable future and European integration. His engagements are focused on elevating the debate on sustainable development in the Western Balkans with a focus on renewable energy development, energy market integration and circular economy.

Leonora Grcheva

Leonora Grcheva is an urban planner, researcher and participation practitioner, holding a PhD in Urbanism. She has worked with cities and regions globally through her work with UN-Habitat and as a city leadership associate at University College London, and with communities on the ground working as a community engagement consultant in the built environment in the UK. She leads DEAL’s work with local governments that are exploring Doughnut Economics in their own context and with various organisations working on the transformation of cities and regions.

Štěpán Vizi

Štěpán Vizi is climate policy expert and project coordinator at the Czech NGO Centre for Transport and Energy (CDE). He focuses on EU climate and energy policy, currently working mainly on the Fit for 55 package and the Czech presidency. He is also co-author of the Czech-German podcast on climate crisis Karbon.

Anelia Stefanova

Anelia Stefanova holds a Master Degree in Finance and has 20 years of experience in monitoring of the EU Cohesion Funds compliance with EU law. For several years she coordinated CEE Bankwatch EU policy work and represented the organisation in Green 10 Coalition. Since 2020 she leads the Energy Transformation Strategic Area of CEE Bankwatch that aim to accelerate the energy transformation and just transition in 8 CEE countries.  

Yvon Slingenberg

Yvon Slingenberg is Director for ‘Strategy, Analysis & Planning” and Acting Director of ‘Innovation for a Low Carbon, Resilient Economy in DG Climate Action of the European Commission. Since the end of 2020, she was responsible for Climate strategy, Governance and Emissions from Non-trading Sectors. Before that, she was Director responsible for International Affairs and Senior Adviser in the Cabinet of Commissioner Arias Cañete for Climate Action and Energy.

Verena Ringler

Verena Ringler directs the new and independent non-profit association AGORA European Green Deal. She is an expert in realizing tailor-made processes that bridge realities on the ground in Europe. She frequently facilitates conferences, and teaches, writes and speaks on Europe.

Berthold Goeke

Berthold Goeke is Deputy Director-General for National and European climate policy in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Before, he was Deputy Director-General for climate policy in the Federal Ministry for the Environment. Inter alia he worked as deputy spokesperson of the Federal Minister Klaus Töpfer, as desk officer at the Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany to the OECD/IEA in Paris and as Head of Division for environment and sustainable development in the Federal Chancellery.

Dr Simon Marr

Dr. Simon Marr is head of EU Climate Policy at BMWK. Previously he worked primarily as a climate policy expert at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nuclear Safety and Nature Protection, DG Environment of the European Commission and the Federal Chancellery where he worked in the team preparing the German G7 and G20 summits in 2015 and 2017.

EUKI Academy Training

Join the EUKI Academy workshop on “Purposeful Partnerships and Cooperation” on 22 & 23 September. You find the agenda and further information here.

 

 

Social Media Kit

Share your #EUKICON22 experience! Download and use our Social Media Kit with ready-made visuals, editable sharepics and more.

 

 

Background effects

Are you joining the conference online? Please download and use our official #EUKICON22 backgrounds during the conference.

 

Logistics

Are you joining the conference on-site? This travel guide will help you to find your way around Berlin and this activity guide offers some sightseeing tips. Please find more information about hotels here.

NETWORKING

EUKI is turning five years old! Five years are roughly the lifespan of a healthy guinea pig or the distance between two European elections. Not too much. Still, when looking back at the achievements in the last 5 years and the growth of EUKI – in funding volume, project number, team size, country setting, community network and impact for European climate action – we have all the reasons to celebrate together!

Whether you are familiar with the EUKI conference or are attending this unique event for the first time – we are looking forward to connecting you with climate leaders from more than 31 countries, 157 projects and 308 organisations.

Join the social buzz; share your conference experience on your channels and don’t forget to tag us on:

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CONTACT

Any question about the EUKI Conference 2022? Please contact us via our official contact mail contact@euki-conference.eu.

For specific queries on the conference programme, logistics or communications, please get in touch with:

Elsa Benhöfer

Conference Coordinator
+49 30 338424 345

 

 

Ana Viola Kecskemethy

Conference Logistics
+49 30 338424 570

 

 

Anselm Bareis

Conference Communication
+49 30 338424 126