Report on the policy-related activities

ISABEL presented opportunities to each partner to use a European support network and integrated expertise in order to facilitate the increase in understanding and the political will to influence, change or modify present practice. Each partner embarked on the project with enthusiasm and a belief that community energy, particularly using AD, would benefit a wide range of communities throughout the EU. In each case the partners targeted local, regional and national agenda’s in order to ascertain the present perceived position and the actual reality ‘on the ground’.

In some cases there existed pre-existing liaisons and historical links, such as in Germany and Greece, while in the UK the situation was seen as somewhat fractured and limited. However, it must not be assumed the partners in Germany and Greece did not encounter difficulty and negatives while engaging interested parties, as can be observed in this and other documents.

All the Partners immediately embarked on establishing the present situation and the key lines of communication at the beginning of the ISABEL project. There was a transparent drive for exploring the practices and legislation appertaining to their region and considering the implications and eco and socio political impacts for the various communities within the designated geographical locations. This information was shared through electronic form and at the cyclical meetings / workshops held throughout the project, where partner’s experiences were interrogated and suggestions received. This process allowed all to understand better the circumstances and issues facing their colleagues.

The process of engagement and the subsequent workshops were tailored to the requirements of the partner’s regional community’s circumstances. As can be seen, all partners engaged communities through meetings, dialogue and workshops, at which the key elements and ‘thrust’ of the Isabel programme could be explored by those who the partners wished to become engaged and active positive partners in the development of community energy.

Influencing decisions can be seen as being problematic and complex and all the partners deliberately placed in their programmes ways in which the communities involved, would trust the purpose, information and help being offered in order that any outcomes would be informed and as accurate as possible.

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