#EUSEW14: A Week to Remember!
It all started in 2006, when the European Commission organised a policy-level conference in Brussels to discuss energy efficiency and renewables and the way forward to reach the newly-born 2020 energy targets. That event was organised under the framework of the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign, the first European Commission initiative to raise awareness on sustainable energy issues and support public and private actors active in the field. That single event was the prelude of the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), whose 9th edition took place last week.
EUSEW 2014 included 30 conferences in European Commission premises, 50 events in Brussels and over 1000 Energy Days across the EU and beyond. The impressive evolution of EUSEW is certainly due to the priority given to sustainable energy by policy makers and economic actors but it is also the result of a team-built effort by PRACSIS consultants and their colleagues at ICF MOSTRA. Since 2005, a network of 35000 stakeholders has been consolidated, gathering professionals from global corporations, SMEs, public authorities, industry associations, NGOs and general and specialised media.
This is a summary of what took place during EUSEW 2014:
High Level Policy Conference
More than 2,000 people attended to exchange ideas with other actors in the sustainable energy sector, meet EU staff and pursue business opportunities. The High Level Policy Conference took place during three days in the Charlemagne building. 32 events and (policy) sessions were organised by both European institutions and external stakeholders.
Energy Days
Throughout the Week, around 1000 Energy Days took place in more than 48 countries across Europe and beyond. Aimed at the general public and stakeholders, these events promoted energy efficiency and renewable energy sources in an engaging, accessible and interactive way. EUSEW participants were able to organise their schedules to include a wide range of activities in different locations across the city.
Awards
A highlight of the Week is the prestigious Awards ceremony. Hosted by EU Commissioner for Energy, Günther H. Oettinger, the event combined the eight edition of the Sustainable Energy Europe Awards (SEE) with the ManagEnergy Award. Six ambitious projects in the area of energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transport were selected as worthy winners from 342 entries from across Europe. We like to warmly thank all participants of the 2014 edition and give another big round of applauses to this year’s nominees and final winners! Discover thewinners and nominees.
Networking event - “Action on the Ground”
One of the EU’s priorities in all policy areas is to facilitate the sharing of ideas and best-practises, and to encourage networking and exchange, to support the replication of successful projects across Europe. Therefore, in addition to policy-level debates, EUSEW is also about action on the ground. For the first time, EUSEW hosted an exclusive networking event at the Residence Palace. The 30 Awards’ nominees got to showcase their projects to their peers in a series of lively, 90-second ‘elevator pitches’, alongside presentations from some of the technical expert evaluators responsible for the initial nominee selection. Fast, lively and fun, the event also offered ample opportunities for project representatives to quiz each other face-to-face.
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information about EUSEW, the largest event in sustainable energy in the world!