Regions and cities play an essential role in the implementation of energy efficiency policies and in achieving the Europe 2020 objectives. As public funds alone are not deemed as sufficient for delivering ambitious EU energy targets a different, more concentrated approach relying on market based solutions and involvement of private sector investors is needed. The event intends to explore options to encourage and support the creation of regional platforms aiming at aggregating small energy efficiency projects in order to maximize the use of and access to the European Fund for Strategic Investments. Building on successful projects and initiatives the event will feature presenters and panellists from the EU, regional and local levels discussing how Europe can maximize its investment potential to further stir growth and competitiveness.

Date: Thursday 13 October 2016 Time: 11:15 - 13:00 followed by networking session and lunch Place: Committee of the Regions, Room JDE 62, Rue Beliard 99-101, Brussels

Speakers:

• Markku Markkula, President of European Committee of the Regions
• Željko Kolar, Prefect of the Krapina-Zagorje County
• Michel Lebrun, European Committee of the Regions

Panellists:

• Anette Jahn, Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
• Francesco Pigliaru, European Committee of the Regions
• Julije Domac, FEDARENE and North-West Croatia Regional Energy Agency
• Paul Kenny, Tipperary Energy Agency
• Ralf Goldmann, European Investment Bank
• Roman Doubrava, European Commission - Directorate-General for Energy