Empowering citizens to produce and consume their own energy in Križevci

Križevci, a small municipality in north-east Croatia of around 20,000 inhabitants, rich in sun and surrounded by agricultural land, has an ambitious vision for the city, which is aligned with nature and people’s needs. Križevci wants to become a champion of climate resilience and is working towards achieving food and energy self-sufficiency.  

With this aim, Križevci is tapping into its solar and geothermal renewable resources to become energy-independent by 2030. Through the Križevci Development Strategy 2021-2030, the city is committing to achieve this independence in collaboration with its citizens. The strategy itself was co-designed and developed with its residents and local stakeholders. However, this is not the first instance of strong citizen participation in Križevci.

In 2018 the city partnered with ZEZ energy cooperative to launch a crowdfunding for the development of solar power plants on the area of Križevci’s Development Center and Technology Park and the city’s library. These campaigns for a solar roof project raised the required funds within days and showed a strong citizen interest in renewable energy. Stemming from this interest, a group of 10 citizens initiated the Križevci Laboratory for Innovation in Climate – KLIK two years later to further promote renewable energy adoption in the city. 

Its goal is to democratise the energy system by empowering citizens to produce and consume their own energy and to put citizens at the very center of the energy transition: they should have control over the production, distribution, and supply of energy. Also, they are discovering opportunities for the citizens to invest their savings in local energy facilities that both generate income and produce clean energy, instead of keeping money in the bank.

The project is strongly supported by the City of Križevci and Green Energy Cooperative. 

A Citizen-Driven Energy Cooporative

KLIK is an energy cooperative created in the process of transformation of the cities of the Future of South East Europe. KLIK also works as an association of builders who are primarily committed to creating resilience in the local environment, with the intention of making the castle more livable than it was before us.

It works on identifying the needs of the local community, implementing technology in the social environment, and empowering the local community through cooperation, joint creation and capacity building. KLIK encourages local people to invest in renewable energy sources, both in public buildings and in their households, helping citizens in the development and application of renewable energy proccesses, and are a place for all issues related to energy, climate, quality of life striving to be a driver of change in their local community.

KLIK is a prime example of citizens coming together for the same cause, strongly oriented towards energy efficient and climate resilient development of the city. By establishing KLIK cooperative, citizens of Križevci created a place where they can go when they need help with their energy projects, but also an entity that will work on the projects oriented towards creating a self-sufficient city.

It also supports the City of Križevci in writing and submitting projects, mapping and designing solar power plants, and resolving all issues regarding energy, quality of life, transparency, and citizen involvement

An innovative approach

It has a direct relation to Collaboration Action Ability and Climate narrative and communication. Having this context in mind, KLIK delivered a first project that allowed citizens to invest in the solar roofs called “Križevački sunčani krovovi” (eng. Solar roofs of Križevci) in 2018 and 2019. 

Citizens were given the opportunity to finance the installation of a 30,667 € power plant on the roof of the Križevci Development Center and Technology Park through a loan for a period of 10 years, during which the investment is returned with an interest rate of 4.5 percent. The lowest bet was 133 € and the highest was 1,333 €. 

After the announcement of the campaign, the necessary amount was collected in just 10 days, and the response of the citizens was truly extraordinary. The power of the installed power plant is 30 kW, whose produced electricity is consumed directly by the public buildings (the Development Centre and the City Library). The estimated saving in electricity bill payment is 4,800 € per year. Besides, during the first half of 2022, KLIK helped in the preparation of 37 solar panel projects for households and 6 for companies.

Lastly, a third plant on the City Market was financed by citizens through membership shares in the energy cooperative ZEZ Sunce (ZEZ Sun). The electricity produced is sold on the electricity market, and cooperative members are entitled to profit distribution (if generated) at the end of the year.

Moreover, KLIK opened a Center for combating energy poverty and invited citizens to contact them, not only to prepare investment projects but also if they need a recommendation on small energy efficiency measures that could help them to achieve savings.

KLIK and Križevci’s efforts, in figures

After four years operating in Križevci, KLIK is helping the city move closer to energy independence. The city’s yearly electricity consumption takes up to 30 GWh. This amount requires 24MW of solar power, out of which the city already ensures 4.3 MW. 

Most of the solar panels installed on family homes have been co-financed by the municipality and set up by KLIK’s services. While 1.74 MW are produced through privately installed PVs, another 1.76 MW originate from schools, public buildings and 18 local companies. While momentum grows, the City plans to add 5.2 MW from other community projects, bringing the total close to 10 MW. Despite a 20 MW gap, Križevci leads in solar adoption.

Key challenges in establishing an energy community

While the vision is taking form and solar production is growing, there is still a need for more knowledge and education about climate change amongst the citizens of Križevci, particularly residents who live in the settlements around the urban area. KLIK tries to bring these residents on board through collaboration with social, religious and other cultural organisation, yet this is often a slow and gradual process. 

Other challenges are linked to the legal and financial framework. Indeed, national laws are not in favour of the cooperative model, and this lack of governmental support turns into uncertainty in the project development. Moreover, this means that financial security is not achieved, and that to sustain progress, KLIK constantly seeks alternative funding sources, including grants, partnerships, and innovative financing models.

Lastly, due to KLIK’s varied activities, multi-disciplinary expertise is often required, which sometimes can be difficult to source. 

Lessons learnt

 KLIK’s collaboration with the city of Križevci is enabled by the city’s strong political commitment to making citizens owners and key players in its energy independence. This in turn helps KLIK support the city in implementing this vision. The city has further facilitated KLIK’s work by providing a central space for its One-Stop-Shop, ensuring residents have easy access to necessary information. Engaging with citizens increased trust, thus providing a better understanding of problems in the local community and bridging expertise and needs.

Indeed, the office is well known by the residents, due to KLIK’s capacity to organise dynamic events, diverse and practical activities to promote sustainable living. These range from cooking demonstrations of easy vegan recipes, to composting workshops, and environmental movie nights for children. Through these events, KLIK also highlights the co-benefits of more sustainable practices, such as health improvements.

Initial financial support from the City was crucial. Apart from office space, the city of Križevci supported KLIK financially during its initial stages. As its services and operations grew, KLIK was able to source additional financing through EU funding, national public calls and citizens’ investments. 

Lastly, KLIK’s launch and success have been possible thanks to an intrinsically motivated team who had the right skill-set and strong belief in the vision they were carrying out.  

Replicability

A cooperative such as KLIK can be established in every city with the active involvement of the citizens to encourage the empowerment of the local community through cooperation, joint creation, capacity building, and the implementation of technology in the social environment.

These types of cooperatives develop proactive, synergetic climate responses in an integrated manner that at the same time offer immediate involvement and are politically acceptable. Indeed, KLIK and the city of Križevci enjoy a strong working relationship, one which is based on openness and a mindset of supporting one another. Thanks to the city’s support, KLIK was able to set up their One-Stop-Shop services in a strategic location where most of the essential services for residents are. This has been crucial to enable participation and awareness amongst residents.

Apart from this, KLIK also enjoys a strong partnership with ZEZ, which has played an important role in setting up energy community projects on the city’s public buildings. KLIK and ZEZ support one another by meeting regularly and through capacity building, where ZEZ invites KLIK’s staff to job shadow and gain first-hand experience.

It is key to collaborate with existing local organisations engaged in environmental initiatives, even if their work is not directly related to energy. These organisations can naturally expand their focus over time. Success often lies in fostering strong connections with residents and local communities - a role that these organisations are often well-placed to fulfil.

Lastly, it is important to differentiate the financial streams: KLIK has been able to sustain its activities through EU funding (such as LIFE and Interreg projects), which has not only helped the office operationally but also expanded its activities to other related and important topics, such as home renovations.

Križevci, Croatia

Energy Community in Focus

KLIK (Križevac Laboratory of Innovation for Climate)

Active since: 2020

Stage of implementation: Active Energy Cooperative

Key Energy Figures

• Total capacity installed: 4.3 MW, including installations on family houses, multi-apartment buildings, private companies, public buildings and family farms
• Ratio production/consumption: estimated 18% coverage of electricity demand with renewable generation.
• Electricity savings achieved: approximately 3,960 MWh in the last three years.
• CO₂ emission reductions: around 630 tonnes for the period 2023–2025.

Type of support from the Municipality

• Facilitation: setting targets, providing the space for the One Stop Shop
• Support: access to public roofs/land, and administrative support
• Direct Involvement: co-investing in projects

Covenant Figures

• Signatory to the Covenant of Mayors since: 2011
• Emission reduction ambitions: 
  • % GHG emissions reductions by 2030: 48%

Related links 

• KLIK website
• Original source

Case study source: