Co-PED focuses on developing innovative financial and organisational models for energy communities by leveraging the potential of social and cultural centres as key components of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs). In response to the energy crisis and the sustainability challenges faced by these centres, the project seeks to strengthen their role as community anchors, empowering urban and rural communities to actively participate in energy generation, responsible consumption, and decision-making.

The project’s core objectives include:

Empowering Social and Cultural Centres
Developing decentralized, cooperative energy communities through innovative organizational and financial models. The project fosters robust collaboration between energy producers and consumers and bridges the rural-urban divide to address disparities in the energy transition.

Fostering Community Engagement
Promoting democratic decision-making, active participation, and the social inclusion of marginalized groups to ensure a fair and inclusive energy transition.

Providing Policy Recommendations
Offering actionable insights to local, national, and European policymakers to strengthen their contributions to the energy transition.

An international consortium of social and cultural centres, research institutions, civic networks, and energy companies underpins Co-PED. This diverse network ensures a rich mix of perspectives and expertise necessary to explore the transformative role of social and cultural centres in the green transition.
To achieve its goals, Co-PED will establish eight Urban Living Labs across various urban, peri-urban, and rural contexts. These labs will serve as testing grounds for collaborative, adaptable, and scalable solutions, driving sustainable change across Europe.