SECAP

Project overview:

The project supports municipalities in the Western Balkans in developing and implementing Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs), helping translate EU energy and climate objectives into practical local measures. Implemented within GIZ’s Open Regional Fund for South-East Europe – Energy, Transport and Climate Protection, and supported through the EU4Energy Transition initiative*, it strengthens municipal capacity for coordinated energy planning, decarbonisation and climate resilience under the Covenant of Mayors framework. By promoting regional cooperation, knowledge exchange and stronger institutional capabilities, the project helps local authorities address implementation gaps, align local policies with EU standards and advance sustainable urban development. The broader programme is co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

*The EU4 Energy Transition: Covenant of Mayors in the Western Balkans and Türkiye (EU4ETTR) project supported local governments in reducing carbon emissions, addressing climate change and transitioning to clean, sustainable energy. Running from March 2021 to February 2025, with final conferences held on May 28, 2025, the initiative had a total budget of €9.335 million, comprising €8 million from the European Union and €1.335 million from Germany’s BMZ. It covered six Western Balkan economies and Türkiye, with implementation led by GIZ in the Western Balkans and Lithuania’s Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) in Türkiye.

My contribution:

Commissioned by: ibf expertise, Brussels, Belgium, under its contract with GIZ
Geographical coverage: Serbia
Expert input: 25 working days

Supported the development of Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) for selected local self-government units in the Western Balkans through leadership of the country expert team.

Led the country expert team responsible for supporting SECAP preparation in 4 municipalities in Serbia: Novi Sad, Pirot, Valjevo, and Vranje. Coordinating expert contributions to local sustainable energy and climate action planning. The assignment comprised 25 working days of expert input.

Selected results:

• Led and coordinated the country expert team’s contribution to four Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) in Serbia.

• Novi Sad SECAP — March 2024: Supported the development of an integrated plan addressing climate change mitigation, resilience and equitable access to sustainable energy, underpinned by stakeholder participation and cooperation. Official document: Акциони план за одрживу енергију и климу (SECAP) за Град Нови Сад

• Pirot SECAP — May 2024: Supported the development of a plan combining greenhouse gas emission reduction, climate adaptation and measures addressing energy poverty, with emphasis on affordable energy and community engagement.

• Valjevo SECAP — May 2024: Supported the development of a coordinated framework for climate action, stronger resilience and equitable access to sustainable energy, linking environmental priorities with local economic development.

• Vranje SECAP — May 2024: Supported the development of a plan integrating climate action, resilience and fair access to sustainable energy through inclusive participation and cooperation