Showcasing how citizens, businesses, and municipalities can co-create energy communities
When small islands join forces, they can make big changes. This was the key message of the LIFE ISLET project presentation held in Opatija on 10–11 November 2025. At the event, Franjo Toić, representative of the City of Cres, and Dr. Ugo Toić from the Island Development Agency OTRA shared how small islands can organise into energy communities to reduce energy costs, strengthen local resilience, and promote sustainable development.
Energy communities are not just technology — they are partnerships
Using Cres as an example, the presentation showed that energy communities are much more than solar panels or wind turbines — they are local partnerships. Citizens, schools, businesses, and municipalities all take part. Together, they decide how energy will be produced, shared, and used. This model reduces costs for all members, strengthens the local economy, and increases resilience to energy crises.
The importance of early involvement of all stakeholders was strongly emphasised — from kindergartens and schools to small businesses, associations, and households. Through joint mapping of rooftops and energy consumption, a project portfolio is defined, followed by open workshops in which membership rules, decision-making processes, and financial models are agreed upon.
Together for a green transition
The panel discussion “Together for the Green Transition” highlighted the crucial role of collaboration among citizens, communities, and local authorities. Municipalities provide structure and coordination; citizens contribute legitimacy and motivation; and businesses and financial institutions accelerate project implementation. High-quality data, effective communication, and a stable legal framework were identified as key conditions for successfully launching and maintaining energy communities.
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Smart transport + local energy = smaller footprint
Dr. Ugo Toić also presented the concept of on-demand transport in rural areas, particularly on the island of Cres. He demonstrated how smart mobility and the energy transition go hand in hand. When transport is optimized, less energy is consumed, pollution is reduced, and conditions are created for using locally produced energy in everyday community services.
From idea to concrete savings
The LIFE ISLET presentation served as a practical guide for small communities — showing how to move from an idea and vision to real results: lower costs, a smaller carbon footprint, and more local energy production.
ISLET project is co-funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 101120073.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.