Online course: “From idea to energy community: how communities can develop renewable energy”

The NGO ‘SYNERGY Sustainable Development Agency’ is inviting applications for a basic course for local leaders entitled ‘From idea to energy community: how communities can develop renewable energy’. Upon completion of the course, selected participants will receive voucher support for specific stages of establishing a green energy community.

Duration: 5 modules
Course format: online (Moodle)
Target audience: representatives of local authorities, civil society organisations, community groups, educational institutions and local businessesів
Language of instruction: Ukrainian

Deadline for applications: 30 November 2025

Course registration: https://cutt.ly/2twVhAw1 

Course objectives

To provide participants with a systematic understanding of the concept of green energy communities and their potential for sustainable community development, as well as to equip them with the tools needed to plan, establish and manage such communities within the Ukrainian context.

Expected learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will:

• will understand the basic principles of establishing and operating green energy communities;
• will be familiarised with successful European case studies of energy community development;
• will be able to develop financial and management models for green energy communities at a basic level;
• will understand how to build communication and engage stakeholders;
• will be familiar with Ukraine’s legislative framework, EU directives and local support mechanisms;
• will understand how municipalities can initiate, support or partner in the creation of green energy communities.

Course structure

Theoretical section

• Module 1. Green energy communities: the basics and European experience.

• Module 2. Financial modelling and planning in the context of green energy communities.

• Module 3. Communication – stakeholder engagement and fundraising.

• Module 4. Legal aspects of the establishment and operation of green energy communities.

• Module 5. The role of local authorities in the development of green energy communities.

Acceleration section 

Once the theoretical part of the course has been completed, participants work in teams to prepare the necessary documents for the implementation of the green energy community pilot project.

The best initiatives (teams) will receive vouchers for expert consultations (legal, technical or financial), expert legal, financial and technical support for the initiatives you select, and the drafting of relevant documents (business plan, feasibility study, articles of association, roadmap, etc.).

What are green energy communities and why is it important to establish them?

The concept of green energy communities is based on bringing together citizens who jointly own, develop and manage renewable energy projects aimed at sustainable development and energy independence for their communities. Members of energy communities may include individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, or local authorities, including municipalities.

Energy communities may take any organisational or legal form, such as an association, a cooperative, a partnership, a non-profit organisation, or a small or medium-sized enterprise. Such associations have a positive impact on their members’ ability to invest jointly in energy assets. This, in turn, increases the energy independence of communities, reduces energy costs and contributes to the decarbonisation of the energy system

Why is it beneficial to set up renewable energy communities?

• help reduce electricity costs;
• keep profits within the community;
• reduce CO₂ emissions;
• enhance energy independence;
• boost the local economy and create new jobs;
• promote social cohesion and environmental awareness.

About the online course “From Idea to Energy Community: How Communities Can Develop Renewable Energy”

Many communities and local authorities are keen to get involved in the development of green energy communities, but often lack an understanding of where to start. 

To address this issue, the team at the Synergy Sustainable Development Agency has created a self-paced online course for local government officials, engineers, energy managers, representatives of community initiatives, and anyone interested in establishing renewable energy communities.

The theoretical part of the course takes just 20 hours to complete: 5 learning modules, each lasting 4 hours. You will have up to 6 weeks to work through them. This format will allow you to acquire the necessary knowledge and practical tools for developing your own energy initiatives at a pace that suits you. 

Audio and video content are mandatory components of each module. The theoretical material is compiled in the training manual and the guidance notes for mentoring green energy communities; therefore, each module requires participants to study the relevant sections of the manual independently and complete the tasks set out in the guidance notes. After each module, there will be short learning tasks and tests that must be completed in order to gain access to the next modules.

To complete the course and receive the relevant certificate, you will also need to undertake practical assignments to apply the skills you have learnt and test your knowledge.

Practical tasks are a mandatory part of the curriculum and involve the step-by-step application of the theoretical knowledge gained to the development of real-world projects in communities within the green energy sector. Participants who complete at least 80% of the theoretical programme will, based on their test results, be eligible for additional group consultations to finalise their practical case studies.

Tasks are carried out individually or in teams under the guidance of Task Force Synergy Academy experts, with a focus on practical results — the creation or improvement of a concept for an existing green energy community.

Participants who complete all practical tasks will be eligible to receive a voucher for consultancy services on the establishment and development of green energy communities, including legal, technical and financial support from the project’s experts.

Please note that you will need to submit practical assignments or complete a knowledge assessment before gaining access to the other modules of this course. However, you must complete and submit them by 17 January 2026, as they need to be assessed by experts so that you can receive a course completion certificate and take part in the acceleration phase of the course, which includes voucher support from project experts.

The project “Shared Energy: Building Green Energy Communities in Ukraine” is being implemented by the Synergy Sustainable Development Agency with the support of the European Climate Fund.