The Energy Poverty Alleviation Office (EPAO) participated in the 2026 Annual Forum of Energy Cities, held in Guimarães, Portugal, bringing together representatives of local authorities from across Europe. Energy Cities is a network of hundreds of municipalities in 30 countries working collaboratively to advance the energy transition and promote sustainable urban development.
Held under the theme “Nurturing the Roots”, this year’s forum highlighted the importance of creating the right conditions for cities to grow, thrive, and build resilient local communities through strong governance and citizen engagement.
During the three-day forum, EPAO participated in workshops focusing on strategies to decarbonise district heating systems and strengthen citizen participation in the design and implementation of heating and cooling solutions. Additional discussions explored the concept of fairness and how it can be integrated into municipal strategies and local energy governance frameworks.
The forum concluded with the announcement that the 2027 Energy Cities Annual Forum will take place in Athens, Greece.