Social and Economic impacts of Energy transition, Budapest, Hungary, 25 February 2026
- Tessy Melidi
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
On 25 February 2026 The Hungarian National Association of Local Authorities (TÖOSZ) hosted an international workshop in Budapest within the framework of the Fair Cities project, bringing together 62 participants from across Europe to discuss the social and economic impacts of the green transition and the role of local governments in ensuring that climate policies remain socially fair and inclusive.
The event took place at the Eötvös 10 Cultural and Community Centre and gathered representatives of municipalities, regional organisations and civil society actors working at the intersection of climate policy, social inclusion and local governance.
Opening the workshop, Katalin Kolin-Sabján, Project Manager of the Fair Cities project and International Secretary of the Hungarian National Association of Local Authorities (TÖOSZ), emphasised that the green transition must be addressed not only as an environmental challenge but also as a major social policy issue.
"The green transition is not only a technological or environmental transformation. It is also a social challenge. Local governments have a key role in ensuring that sustainability policies support vulnerable communities and strengthen social cohesion rather than deepen existing inequalities."
The workshop began with a presentation introducing the Eötvös 10 Cultural and Community Centre, offering participants insight into the role of community-based cultural institutions in strengthening local engagement and civic participation.
The Fair Cities project was presented by Tessy Melidi from RegioDev (Belgium), outlining the project’s objective to connect climate action, social inclusion and citizen participation in local policymaking.
A particularly strong contribution came from the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service, which presented its Social Solar Power Plant initiative. This innovative approach demonstrates how renewable energy investments can simultaneously serve social policy goals by helping to reduce energy poverty while strengthening community resilience.
International project partners also presented a series of local good practices addressing the social consequences of the green transition.
The Italian partner, Provincia di Lucca, highlighted the growing role of energy communities, where citizens and municipalities jointly participate in renewable energy production and benefit from shared energy systems.
Representatives from the Département de l’Aude (France) presented their work addressing the increasing impacts of climate change, while ensuring that adaptation and mitigation policies remain socially balanced and inclusive.
Additional practices were presented by partners from Belgium (RegioDev), Slovenia (Mestna Občina Velenje), Romania (UNCJR – National Union of County Councils of Romania) and Spain (Mancomunitat de la Ribera Baixa). Their contributions demonstrated innovative local approaches ranging from community-based sustainability initiatives and circular economy practices to programmes supporting vulnerable households during the green transition.
The workshop provided an important platform for peer learning and cooperation among European municipalities and regional organisations, highlighting the importance of integrating social justice, community participation and local innovation into climate and sustainability policies.
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