Three Covenant of Mayors (CoM) signatories show how practical tools can support different stages of the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) process, from planning actions and preparing investments to implementing renewable energy communities.
The Green Living Areas Mission of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme has developed a Local Energy Transition Integrated Support Framework, bringing together practical tools and municipal experiences to help local authorities plan, finance and implement SECAP actions.
Moving from climate commitments to concrete actions can be challenging, particularly for municipalities with limited technical and administrative capacity. Building on the 2025 Covenant of Mayors SECAP Guidebook, the framework brings together tools tested in Mediterranean cities and integrating mitigation, adaptation and energy poverty considerations.
The experiences of Riba-roja de Túria, Karlovac and Valencia illustrate how this support can be applied at different stages of the SECAP process.
Planning SECAP actions: the experience of Riba-roja de Túria
Following the October 2024 DANA floods, Riba-roja de Túria adapted a local energy transition planning toolkit to identify energy measures that could be incorporated into the reconstruction of municipal buildings.
At the Municipal Cultural Centre and Auditorium, three measures were prioritised: a photovoltaic installation of around 32 kWp, replacement of single-glazed windows, and thermostats combined with behavioural measures. The photovoltaic system could cover around 32% of annual electricity demand.
Around 20–25 local stakeholders also helped develop practical rules to reduce energy consumption. The resulting plan was adopted by the municipality and linked to both its SECAP and post-DANA reconstruction.
The experience demonstrates how municipalities can adapt integrated planning resources to their specific needs and circumstances.
Preparing SECAP measures for financing: the experience of Karlovac
Karlovac focused on preparing a biosolar roof at the Ivan Goran Kovačić City Library, combining photovoltaic panels with a green roof. The approximately EUR 55,000 investment is expected to cover around 18% of the library’s annual electricity consumption. The Green Finance Evaluation Tool assessed both direct financial performance and wider benefits, including avoided greenhouse gas emissions, energy security, rainwater retention and improved air quality. The experience highlights the importance of looking beyond financial returns when preparing SECAP investments and considering the wider environmental and social value they can generate.
Implementing renewable energy communities: the experience of Valencia
Valencia focused on the neighbourhoods of Malvarrosa and Nazaret, where energy poverty, ageing buildings and exposure to high temperatures create interconnected energy and climate challenges.
EnerCmed’s feasibility assessment approach combined technical, regulatory, climate and socio-economic information to identify opportunities for Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) and Nature-Based Solutions.
One result is CoEnSoMa – Comunitat Energètica Solidària Malvarrosa, where a 26.4 kWp photovoltaic system installed on a school roof benefits the school and around 25–30 vulnerable families. The municipality granted the energy community a 25-year concession to use the roof.
The pilot also combines renewable energy with climate adaptation through shaded, greener school spaces. The approach has subsequently been applied in other Mediterranean cities through the EnerCmed Feasibility Scan Tool.
Supporting the SECAP journey from planning to implementation
The three experiences represent different stages of the SECAP cycle: Riba-roja demonstrates how actions can be defined and adapted, Karlovac focuses on investment preparation, and Valencia shows how renewable energy can be implemented alongside social and climate adaptation objectives.
These stages are interconnected and may overlap as projects develop. Municipalities may need different forms of support depending on their local circumstances and available capacity.
The Local Energy Transition Integrated Support Framework therefore brings together existing practical resources and municipal experience, allowing local authorities to select the tools most relevant to their needs as they move from climate commitments towards implementation.
The tools were developed through the LOGREENER, INFIRE and EnerCmed thematic projects, with their results consolidated and promoted for wider uptake through the Dialogue4LivingAreas governance project of the Green Living Areas Mission.
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