PANEL outputs

Specific training program was also developed to train project partners in stakeholder engagement in policy advocacy processes and other connected topics. This has enabled the team to improve the scope the project activities have in the regions. This was followed by local trainings in all partner regions to provide most efficient knowledge transfer in national languages. 

The PANEL 2050 Energy Advocacy Training Programme is a structured and integrated approach that combines theory with practice to create interactive educational content that will strengthen the ability of organisations (such as PANEL 2050 project partners) to increase the energy advocacy abilities of their stakeholders. Organisations using this curriculum will receive guidance on how to:

• Identify staff capable of serving as Stakeholder Engagement Persons (SEPs) who can provide training, technical assistance and support to stakeholders within their community.
• Train stakeholders in their region on sustainable energy planning and advocacy
• Lead regional efforts to develop sustainable energy roadmaps
• Identify important stakeholders who can act or are already acting as Forerunners in their region
• Develop the skills and abilities of Forerunners to engage in effective sustainable energy advocacy at the local, regional, national and European levels

The curriculum has been designed by the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies at the University of Tartu (UTARTU) in consultation with fellow PANEL Partners the Tartu Regional Energy Agency (TREA), ConplusUltra, EMU and WWF Bulgaria and Hungary as well as experts in the fields of politics, stakeholder engagement, marketing and advocacy. The curriculum has been developed by bringing together the practical working experiences of its creators with an extensive review of theoretical literature.

It is intended that the curriculum will address the needs of project partners, sustainable energy stakeholders and identified forerunners.  It is also anticipated that changes will be made to the curriculum as the project develops, as we receive feedback from participants and evaluate what is more and less effective and relevant for our target audiences.  In addressing these different target audiences, various parts of the curriculum will be of importance.  As is described in the next section, justification for the topics focused on has been sought by communicating directly with the potential participants of training.

The PANEL 2050 Energy Advocacy Training Curriculum consists of 5 components:

• Train-the-Trainer (TtT) Workshops: Focused on providing SEPs with the practical skills and technical knowledge to train local stakeholders and lead roadmapping processes
• Local Training – Training content for local stakeholders to carry out roadmapping and other efforts related to promoting sustainable energy
• Forerunner Bootcamp – Intense skills training for key stakeholders who can play leadership roles in their communities
• International Workshop – Specialized training for Forerunners on how to engage in advocacy at the international (EU) level to further improve their capacity for promoting sustainable energy in their region
• Energy Advocacy Guidebook – That brings together the content of the previous activities in one manual that can be used by organisations seeking to promote sustainable energy.

In terms of the curriculum’s interactions with other project elements, it is best seen as a preparatory input for WP3 Roadmapping and WP4 Dissemination. Much of the curriculum content is directed towards preparing our project partners and their stakeholders to effectively organize and engage in a roadmapping process. The curriculum (and guidebook) are outputs that can be marketed to others who are interested, in particular those from other regions in Central and Eastern Europe. The main mechanism through which this dissemination would be undertaken is by making the curriculum and guidebook available on the CEESEN website. The relationship of activities within the WP and with other elements of the project is depicted below.