GIZ ORF-EE to Focus on Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Urban Mobility in SEE

The GIZ Open Regional Fund for South-East Europe – Energy Efficiency (ORF-EE), active since 2008 in the region, continues to work on strengthening the capacities relevant for the energy efficiency sector of South-East European partner countries by, among others, fostering sector relevant regional cooperation and exchange.

Within its new project phase, which was initiated end of summer this year, the ORF-EE seeks to reinvent its approach on energy sector reforms in the SEE region. Its focus in the upcoming years will go beyond energy efficiency to include more extensive climate protection measures, broadening and intensifying the work of the ORF-EE in South-East Europe.

Going beyond its work focus so far, the German Development Cooperation project is extending its reform and development efforts in the region to incorporate sustainable urban mobility solutions, while focusing on a comprehensive climate change mitigation approach.

Reinforced Engagement of SEE Political and Civil Society Actors

The focus of the new project phase is on reinforced engagement of political and civil society actors from SEE countries in reference to the implementation of sector relevant EU regulations and beyond. The overall objective is to support partner countries through regional networks in applying EU climate and energy regulations, as well as implementing relevant EU and global strategies, including in transposing relevant EU acquis into their national legislative systems.

Partners will be actively supported in adopting an integrated approach to climate change mitigation in accordance with EU climate and energy policies, and the responsibilities SEE countries have committed themselves under the Paris Agreement.

The goal is to intensify regional exchange and sharing of best practices through regional networks by bringing together representatives of parliaments, ministries, the civil sector and other important stakeholders from all SEE partner countries to join their forces in addressing pertinent energy efficiency and climate change issues.

The Open Regional Fund for South-East Europe – Energy Efficiency, in the next years, will put a strong accent on close collaboration with ministries responsible for environment and energy in the region. This also refers to a stronger collaboration with and engagement of other sector relevant institutions, municipal associations, municipalities, capital cities and cities in general, including the civil sector and SEE parliamentarian, in its attempt to help improve the quality of life in the region, while contributing to global efforts on climate protection.