Municipalities, communities, and neighborhoods are central to the transformation of the energy system. Municipalities play a special role both strategically and operationally. The policy brief based on the empirical results of the project “Participation in digitalized energy systems: Investigating social innovation processes” (PaDiSo) provides key recommendations, which were also discussed in municipal learning workshops.

The goal is to establish frameworks and incentives that promote inter-municipal cooperation, while also adapting municipal financing options to better align with their specific needs and conditions. Additionally, a key recommendation is to place active participation at the core of the energy transition, positioning municipalities as central drivers of procedural and distributive justice. Another recommendation is to strategically link energy sector planning processes with other climate protection priorities, fostering synergies through integrated planning approaches and supporting municipalities in implementing cross-sectoral initiatives.