Step-WISE

Project Summary

Step-WISE acknowledges the pivotal role that Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) play in reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions through the development of local Clean Energy Transition Plans (CETPs). Step-WISE recognizes that there is no single solution or easily transferable practice that can be universally adopted to develop these plans. The multiplicity of local geographical, political, and social contexts adds more variations at the local governance level as stakeholders have roles, activities, and skills that differ based on the characteristics of the area they administer. Step-WISE builds on a thorough understanding of this “local DNA” and embeds this into the decision-making process of LRAs as a first step towards a systemic, future-appropriate CETP development.

Step-WISE provides LRAs with an inclusive, adaptive, and effective support package leveraging: i) Use Case (UC)-based learning streams, which establish local partnerships to understand how to engage stakeholders and their contexts; and ii) a unique intuitive digital toolkit enabling LRAs to create their own cross-sectoral, digitized, and dynamic model, incorporating energy, socio-economic, and regulatory aspects to make CETP development, implementation, and monitoring easier, faster, and more accurate. A two-wave cascade Capacity Building Programme (CBP) will empower LRAs across 4 UCs (Bulgaria, Spain, Cyprus, and Mediterranean Islands). This will target local governance and consider challenges of different areas and stakeholder engagement. The first wave will "Train the Trainers" to co-create, implement, and refine the Step-WISE toolkit, its operational guidelines, and the CBP. The second wave will pass on the knowledge to local authorities by guiding them step-by-step through the Step-WISE toolkit for their CETP. The two-wave CBP will ensure the sustainability of the approach through 5 Virtual Knowledge Offices acting as knowledge repositories and amplifiers, helping to replicate the approach across the EU.

IES' Role

In the Step-WISE project, IES is the project coordinator, managing the overall implementation and ensuring its smooth progress. This involves maintaining effective communication with the European Commission to ensure the project aligns with its goals. IES is also leading the development and preparation of the Capacity Building Programme (CBP), which includes the creation of the Step-WISE toolkit. This toolkit is designed to support Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) in developing Clean Energy Transition Plans (CETPs) and incorporates IES products aimed at decarbonization efforts.

IES brings its expertise in project management and stakeholder engagement, contributing significantly to research related to sustainable and environmental design for various scales, from individual spaces and buildings to neighborhoods and cities. In the project, IES is responsible for refining the IES tools for the Step-WISE toolkit, supporting the design of the CBP, and creating the necessary educational materials.  Additionally, IESRD is involved in the implementation of the first wave of the CBP, focusing on training trainers to effectively use the Step-WISE toolkit.

IES oversees project management and coordination, ensuring that all aspects of the project stay on track. They lead the dissemination and communication efforts, including maintaining the project media toolkit and website. Another critical responsibility of IES is the establishment of Virtual Knowledge Offices (VKOs) on their website, along with the creation of a matchmaking platform to facilitate the replication of the project's approach across the EU. Through these roles, IES aims to achieve the successful execution and long-term sustainability of the Step-WISE project.

Test Sites

• Spain
• Mediterranean islands
• Bulgaria
• Cyprus