The Report on Survey Results and Documentation of the Full Survey Database reflects extensive surveys conducted across rural areas in the Mediterranean, in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece, designed to support local and regional authorities in crafting effective energy transition strategies. Through a detailed analysis of interviews and survey data, this report provides critical insights into the current landscape of energy policies and practices within these regions.
The development of the Report on Survey Results and Documentation of the Full Survey Database was expertly led by Giulia Viero and Giulia Fracassi of the Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy (IEECP).
Methodology
With assistance from project partners, the Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy and the School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA) developed a 12-question survey to assess participants’ opinions and understanding of energy planning, as well as their involvement in the process. To make sure participants answered the most important questions and to provide for the potential of follow-up questions should important issues come up, semi-structured interviews were selected above alternative interview formats. Additionally, this strategy was preferred over focus groups since it was thought to be easier to coordinate with a small and widely dispersed target population.
Subsequently, IEECP carried out a qualitative and thematic analysis of 80 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from the eight municipalities in the rural Mediterranean areas of Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, specifically in the Topeiros municipality, Avdera municipality, Piano di Sorrento municipality, Vico Equense municipality, Gombrèn municipality, Sant Quirze de Besora municipality, Ponte de Sor municipality and Gavião municipality. The interviews were conducted in the native languages by project partners from each region between May and early October 2024.
Key findings
Between the key findings, IEECP identified that barriers to social energy planning in rural areas include limited public participation, a shortage of volunteers and local leaders, low local council engagement, insufficient administrative capacity, and complex application processes that restrict access to subsidies and benefits. These are coupled with migrant social exclusion that continues to be a major problem in rural communities, and lack of funding for implementing initiatives and projects regarding sustainable energy.
The report concludes with suggesting a number of actions to address these barriers:
- Simplification of Bureaucracy to Funding Application Processes, such as simplifying renewable energy grant applications, offering clear guidance, and digitalising processes.
- Training and Education for the Wider Community, such as tailored educational programs that are essential to develop expertise in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability.
- Capacity Building of Local and Regional Authorities, to effectively manage energy policies, including training in regulatory frameworks and technical fields like energy storage and smart grids.
- Closeness of Support Governing Structures to Citizens such as establishing support structures to enhance citizen’s enhances engagement, while tailoring policies to local needs.
- Improved Communication and Collaboration Among Stakeholders in order for the collaboration among governments, private sectors, NGOs, energy experts and citizens to be facilitated.
