19/09/2026

The SHAREs+ project officially started with a consortium kick-off meeting held on 17-18 September 2025 in Sofia, Bulgaria, hosted by the coordinating partner BSERC.

Building on the successful model of national information hubs, namely the SHAREs National Gateways, created under the Horizon project SHAREs, the LIFE-funded SHAREs+ project expands this approach to new geographic areas, with a strong focus on Eastern Europe, where energy communities are still underdeveloped. The project will support implementation in Cyprus, Romania, North Macedonia, and Ukraine, while adapting the model to new applications and local contexts. SHAREs+ is expected to contribute to the creation of 13 new energy communities and to provide support to 50 existing ones. Its overarching goal is to promote the wider use of renewable energy, increase energy efficiency, and optimize energy production and consumption across the region. Two countries continue their involvement in the consortium with distinct roles. Bulgaria acts as a pioneer in developing an energy community framework and serves as a pilot site for a citizen-led thermal renewable energy project and vulnerable consumer engagement. Austria contributes as the primary capacity-building partner, sharing expertise and best practices.

The kick-off meeting took place in a friendly and collaborative atmosphere, fostering open discussions and idea exchange. Partners discussed implementation plans, aligned expectations, and laid the foundation for close cooperation over the project’s two-and-a-half-year duration, marking the start of this ambitious initiative to strengthen and expand the model of energy communities.