Join the South-North MED dialogue and knowledge exchange to promote local cooperation on energy efficiency in buildings, as well as to enhance the sharing of information and experience
Deadline: February 28th 2023
The idea behind the twinning agreements
Due to a rapid demographic growth and urbanization of the meetMED target countries, the building sector is one of the largest energy-consuming sectors, responsible from 20% up to 35% of the total energy consumption. To reduce this consumption the countries have been implementing measures to improve their regulatory and institutional frameworks. However, energy consumption levels in the building sector depends not only on the implementation of measures at national level, but also on the actions carried out at local level. The role of local authorities in the energy transition is extremely important, from their contribution to increase energy efficiency and sustainable energy production to their important connection to the citizen.
Through six energy-focused city twinnings, involving 12 cities, local players from the Southern shore of the Mediterranean Sea will have the opportunity to connect with peers from both Northern and Southern shores. Focusing on the buildings sector, these partnerships will tackle matters such as self- consumption projects, district/urban rehabilitation, buildings renovation, water-energy nexus innovative projects, passive measures to mitigate climate change, public engagement and awareness-raising initiatives.
This initiative is part of meetMED II project, which will last until mid-2024, and can also be a facilitator for cities to promote and accelerate the activities of already existing plans such as the SEACAPs, enhance their participation to the Covenant of Mayors for the Mediterranean initiative or implement some of the local solutions described in “Initiatives and programmes in support of local authorities for energy efficiency and thermal comfort in buildings in Mediterranean area, Panorama” report, (French version is also available) released in September 2022.The initiative aims also at showcasing feasible and impactful solutions and contributing to capacity buildings of local stakeholders on these topics.
The city partnerships implementation
Within the meetMED II project, six city twinning agreements will be established and promoted through regular online meetings, capacity building webinars, joint reports and bilateral study tours to encourage know-how exchange and discuss solutions to common problems, as well as the dissemination of information and twinning results in the Mediterranean energy and climate networks. The activities described below will be implemented from the date of signature of the twinning agreement and will go until 31st May2024:
- Twinning agreement: signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (per twinning agreement) describing the goal of the activity and the commitment undertaken by the cities. A total of 6 MoU will be signed in March 2023.
- Action plan: establishment of an action plan (per twinning agreement) with a timeline for the implementation of the activities. A total of 6 action plans will be presented by April 2023 and implemented until 31st May 2024.
- Regular online meetings: organization of conference calls to discuss and evaluate the ongoing activities and/or achieved results. Expected frequency of the meetings: each 3 months.
- Capacity building webinars: organization of training actions in the field of energy efficiency in buildings, addressed to topics such as solar energy initiatives, buildings renovation, water- energy nexus, public engagement, and awareness-raising initiatives. Number of expected webinars per twinning agreement: 2
- Bilateral study tours: organization of technical meetings in each city to promote know-how exchange and discuss solutions to common problems, with the participation of 1-2 persons per country. Number of expected study tours per twinning agreement: 2
- Communication materials: development of at least one joint communication material that promotes the partnership and the work being done by each city (e.g., flyers, manuals)
- Reports: elaboration of joint reports highlighting main goals achieved, as well as the main problems/constraints faced by the partnership to implement the activities. Expected number of reports: 2 reports (mid-term and final).
Eligible countries
Within the city twinning agreement, a city from the north shore will be twinned with a city from the south shore. The eligible countries are listed below:
Southern MED countries:
Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia
Northern MED countries:
France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain
What are the benefits for participating cities?
- Create favourable conditions to promote local cooperation on energy efficiency in buildings.
- Enhance and structure the sharing of information and experience and promote good practices.
- Fasten the convergence on energy efficient solutions implementation on energy efficiency in buildings related matters.
- Access to dedicated training activities
- Increased knowledge and know-how through participation
- Be part of a network of Mediterranean peers and experts
- Possibility to further develop and stimulate an existing partnership with a twin city
- Reduction of CO2 emissions and energy consumption in your city
Selection process and criteria
The Core Team of meetMED II project (experts from ADENE, as task coordinator, and ADEME as WP leader) will ensure the selection process of the applications, which will be carried out tacking in consideration the following criteria:
- Application is complete and comprehensible.
- Motivation behind application.
- Planned and/or implemented commitments in the areas of energy efficiency in buildings, renewable energy, awareness-raising initiatives, etc. (e.g., City/Municipality Climate Action Plan).
- No of existing technical, awareness raising and capacity building projects/initiatives and demonstration of results.
- Existing active dialogue between stakeholders, advocating partnership, inclusion and collaboration.
- Existing partnership with a city from the other shore of the Mediterranean Sea is an advantage, as well as strong and active involvement in city networks.
- Designate, for the project duration, an English-speaking contact person or team of contact persons in your city staff working on energy efficiency in buildings or appliances issues.
- Letter of support signed by an elected representative of the municipality.
Deadline for applications: 28th February 2023
Participants in the call will be informed of the outcome of the selection process in March 2023
For more information in French please click here
For questions, please contact:
Inês Mendes, [email protected] (ADENE)
Alicia Tsitsikalis, [email protected] (ADEME)
Please apply by filling out this online form.
About meetMED:
Mitigation Enabling Energy Transition in the Mediterranean region (meetMED) is a project funded by the European Union and implemented by MEDENER, an international association of energy management agencies from the North and South of the Mediterranean region, and the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), an intergovernmental organisation aiming to enable and increase the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices in the Arab region. Following the success of its first phase (2018-2020), meetMED project kicked-off its second phase in 2021 aiming to enhance the energy security of beneficiary countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia) while fostering their transition to a low-carbon economy. meetMED II activities aim at strengthening the implementation of energy efficiency measures and improving countries’ energy mix focusing on building and appliances’ sectors through a multiscale, multiparter and inclusive approach at both local and regional level, thereby fostering regional cooperation.