Applications invited for 15th Regional Summer School to focus on energy and climate planning

The 15th Regional Summer School on Energy and Climate Planning will be held in the Ethno Village Čardaci in the Vitez municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina from August 18 to 24. The summer school is organized by the Regional Education and Information Centre (REIC), in cooperation with the GIZ Open Regional Fund for South-East Europe – Energy Efficiency (ORF-EE).

The seven-day Summer School will focus on the five dimensions of National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of the Energy Union for the period 2021-2030: energy security; the internal energy market; energy efficiency; decarbonization; and research, innovation, and competitiveness.

The Ethno Village Čardaci has been selected as the setting for being an ecological oasis and a sustainable complex using renewable energy.

Albin Toljević, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

“I spent a great time at the REIC Summer School in Fojnica. As the greatest benefit of attending school, I would like to highlight new acquaintances and acquired knowledge that helped me in my later professional career. The lecture schedule was designed so that we had enough time for rest and entertainment in addition to the lectures. All in all, unforgettably spent seven days.” 

The targeted applicants are national, regional, and local administration officers in South-East Europe (SEE); final year master and PhD students seeking to pursue a professional career in the relevant field; young policy makers and civil servants from governmental institutions, embassies, and international organizations; non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and development aid associations; and mid-career professionals from energy companies.

The Summer School students will be led though a way of thinking from global to local, so as to gain a deeper insight into the key global concepts of low-emission development and which tools should be developed locally. Accordingly, the school will cover key energy and climate-related elements in the sectors of transport; agriculture and forestry; buildings; waste management; energy; and industry.

Zoja Tarevska, Skopje, North Macedonia

“The participation in the Regional Summer School in Fojnica was a unique experience for me for two main reasons: Meeting and connecting with peers and new friends from the energy sector & getting familiar with new aspects regarding energy priorities in the countries of the region. I truly believe that the Summer School experience combined with the relaxing nature in Fojnica and pleasant stay, brought pleasure to all of us participants. I sincerely recommend and encourage future young professionals to apply for the next summer school.”             

To encourage students’ creative approach to the topics of interest, the school will organize a site visit to renewable energy facilities, including solar, biomass, geothermal, and small hydropower facilities.

Applicants are to send their CVs with a motivation letter to info@reic.org.ba. The deadline for application is July 11, 2019.

The targeted number of participants is 18 and the official language of the school is English.

There is no participation fee. The organizer will provide full fellowship for all 18 participants. Full fellowship includes costs of full board accommodation (shared rooms) and a study visit. Participants only need to finance the cost of transport themselves.

Tsvetoslava Spasova, Sofia, Bulgaria

“The REIC Summer School has been an amazing experience I gained back in 2010. Being part of it made me even more certain to pursue my career in Energy Efficiency and Renewables. Over the course I had the chance to meet experts in this field, who inspired all participants. I highly recommend the event to everyone who wants to expand their knowledge and establish new contacts.” 

Last year, the 14th Regional Summer School on Low Emission Development Planning, held in Fojnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted 17 participants of various educational and professional backgrounds from South-East European countries and beyond.

In addition to the GIZ ORF-EE, the Summer School is also traditionally supported by the GIZ bilateral projects “Promotion of Renewable Energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina” and “Promotion of Energy Efficiency in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”