PROSPECT: Peer Powered Cities and Regions

FACTSHEET

The PROSPECT (“Peer Powered Cities and Regions”) learning programme enables peer-to-peer learning in regional and local authorities in order to finance and implement their sustainable energy and climate action plans. The programme builds upon innovative financing schemes that use non-traditional ways of raising funds and facilitating sustainable energy by mixing different sources (own fund, public and private funds) or engaging different partners (e.g. citizens, private sector) outside of established financial institutions (e.g. banks). It will help local and regional authorities to benefit from the lessons learnt and the experience of their peers in order to launch their own investment programme. PROSPECT started in June 2017 and is funded under the Horizon 2020 programme.

The strategic aims of PROSPECT are to:

• develop and execute a complete and easily replicable peer to peer learning program addressing at least 180 local and regional authorities through prominent local and regional associations and agencies.
• create effective and productive peer-to-peer groups among regional and local authorities and agencies within and outside consortium partners, in order to ensure the exchange of experience and expertise
• build partnerships that will stimulate mutual understanding of each other’s issues, situations and challenges with the aim of exploring new ideas, options and solutions; and
• identify and set up proper replication mechanism for the learning programs available to regions/cities beyond the consortium network and the project’s duration.

How is it organised?

PROSPECT aims to encourage the exchange of knowledge and experience on innovative financing schemes used to implement sustainable energy and climate plans, especially within the framework of the Covenant of Mayors. Through peer mentoring activities and study visits, cities and regions learn how to finance the energy transition from the ones who understand it the most: their peers!

Thematic learning modules

Innovative financing schemes include energy performance contracting, third party financing, revolving funds, soft loans, green bonds, guarantee funds, and citizen finance, such as cooperatives and crowdfunding. These schemes are organised in five thematic learning modules: Public Building, Private Buildings, Transport, Public Lighting and Cross Sectoral areas

The programme has three learning cycles. Two are now complete, but the final cycle will take place in March 2019.  

Who can participate in the programme?

Eurpean cities, regions and any other types of territorial public authorities (e.g. provinces, metropoles, etc.) and their agencies and municipal companies (e.g. energy agencies, local energy and transport companies, etc.), as well as public energy sector companies (public ESCOs) are welcome to join as mentors or mentees.

IHS’ Role

IHS leads the development and implementation of the PROSPECT learning program that covers five modules (private buildings, public buildings, public lighting, transport – both public and private, and cross-sectional). HIS is also responsible for creating a sustainability strategy for a coherent and effective action plan for further exploitation of the project’s main outcomes and for keeping alive the communication channels between the city-network members. IHS is also the legal and financial coordinator of the project. 

The PROSPECT project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 752126.