The final event of the Act!onHeat project took place in Brussels

The project concluded with the conference “Make Your Digital Sprint in Heating and Cooling,” where experts, policymakers, and practitioners in the energy sector gathered to learn about the project’s results, share knowledge, collaborate, and network.

The utility company Komunalno podjetje Velenje (KPV), a project partner of 3DIVERSE, also participated in the event and contributed to the discussion: How to best communicate and promote changes in heating planning and infrastructure in your city?

Participants shared innovative approaches to stakeholder engagement, the KPV presenting a particularly impactful communications strategy. They identified six distinct community groups and created detailed “personas” representing factors such as accommodation type, occupation, age, education, social networks, financial position, and attitudes toward climate issues. By tailoring messages to resonate with each group, this strategy fostered trust and inclusivity in the energy transition.

Vesna Deržek Sovinek from KPV emphasized that the first and most crucial step in communicating with local communities is to listen to their concerns and understand why they might oppose the proposed changes. Understanding the local communities and valuing their views is the key to effectively communicate the benefits of heating and cooling projects to the public. In city of Velenje and in Šaleška valley coalmining represents the historical heritage of the region and is a significant part of local identity, where renewables are not widely accepted.