POWER ACROSS BORDERS
ARCEN VELDEN LOMM ENERGIE COOPERATION (NL) – CITIZEN ENERGY STRAELEN (DE)
The pilot action aims to develop a Quasi-Cross-border Citizen Energy Community at the Dutch – German border.
The pilot action seeks to develop, test, and document a community‑driven model for cross‑border energy cooperation between the Arcen Velden Lomm Energy Cooperative and the Citizen Energy Cooperative Straelen. Its goal is to empower citizens to collaborate across national borders, strengthen and foster knowledge-sharing to lay the foundation for future cross‑border community energy projects in the Venlo–Straelen border region and beyond.
Context
While Citizen Energy Cooperative Straelen is an experienced cooperative with a solid governance model and a strong track record in citizen‑led renewable projects, Arcen Velden Lomm Energy Cooperative is a younger cooperative building its capacity and community base. By working together, they wish to engage local citizens and test how cross‑border cooperation can strengthen early-stage community energy development along the German-Dutch border.
Planned activities
- Community and stakeholder mapping to understand needs, expectations and opportunities for cooperation.
- Cross-border peer learning sessions in order for Citizen Energy Cooperative Straelen to share practical experience on cooperative governance, project development and citizen investment with Arcen Velden Lomm Energy Cooperative.
- Regular meetings of a joint working group composed of citizens and cooperative representatives from the two sides of the border to co-develop the governance concept, participation model and shared principles for future cross-border projects.
- Community engagement activities through information evenings, village hall meetings, cross-border community days and youth-focused sessions to raise awareness.
- Identification and testing of project opportunities within the emerging cooperation model.
- A roadmap summarising lessons, tools and recommendations for future cross-border energy communities.
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