Deadline: 21-Nov-2025
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) has launched the Cross-Border Energy Communities (CBECs) initiative, designed to foster cooperation and integration of energy communities in European border regions.
This effort aligns with the EU’s mission “Cross-Border Regions for the European Green Deal,” building on the Commission’s 2021 report, EU Border Regions: Living Labs of European Integration.
Jointly managed by the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) and the Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière (MOT), the program provides both financial and technical support to local actors. Through pilot actions, the initiative aims to initiate and strengthen the development of cross-border.
A cross-border energy community is defined as a legal entity that operates across border regions, based on voluntary and open participation. These communities are controlled by members and shareholders—such as natural persons, municipalities, or SMEs—and exist primarily to deliver environmental, social, or economic benefits rather than financial profits. They may engage in renewable energy generation, distribution, supply, storage, efficiency services, or electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
European legislation recognizes two main models: Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) and Citizen Energy Communities (CECs). RECs focus on renewable energy projects developed locally with the participation of natural persons, SMEs, or municipalities, while CECs are broader, enabling citizen-driven initiatives that span across different forms of energy generation, consumption, and services.
To support these efforts, selected applicants will receive technical assistance as well as sub-grants of up to €15,000. These funds will facilitate roadmaps for implementation and strengthen cooperation among stakeholders in border regions.
The geographical scope is limited to applicants based in NUTS3 land border regions of European Economic Area (EEA) member states or Switzerland. Eligible applicants include cross-border entities such as Euroregions, local and regional authorities, citizen cooperatives with legal personality, NGOs, associations, and SMEs. Importantly, applicants must involve at least one partner from the other side of the border within the eligible geographic area.
By building new frameworks for collaboration and enabling locally driven renewable energy solutions, the Cross-Border Energy Communities initiative offers an important step toward advancing the European Green Deal and ensuring that border regions remain at the forefront of sustainable integration.
For more information, visit AEBR.