ProLIGHTmed at the Zagreb Conference on Sustainable Financing & Energy Efficiency

On April 15, 2025, the City of Zagreb hosted the “Sustainable Financing & Energy Efficiency” Conference, an event organized by GBC Croatia in collaboration with REGEA – the North-West Croatia Regional Energy and Climate Agency. The Conference brought together key stakeholders, experts, and policy advocates to explore innovative strategies and instruments for funding sustainable development and enhancing energy efficiency in the Euro-Mediterranean area.

A stage for green innovation

The event served as a dynamic platform for exchanging best practices, discussing financial tools, and fostering collaboration between public and private actors committed to a greener and more energy-efficient future. In the second part of the day, REGEA hosted a networking meeting for Croatian partners involved in projects that are part of the Green Living Areas Mission (GLA Mission), under the Interreg Euro-MED Programme.

ProLIGHTmed was honored to be invited to this meeting, recognizing its contribution to the objectives of the GLA Mission. As a project focused on promoting low-carbon solutions and smart energy management in public buildings, ProLIGHTmed aligns closely with the Mission’s aim to enhance the quality of life in Mediterranean communities through sustainable development and policy innovation.

The City of Kaštela representing ProLIGHTmed

Among the distinguished participants, the City of Kaštela took the stage as the official representative of the ProLIGHTmed project. As one of the project partners, Kaštela’s involvement at the Conference demonstrated the City’s strong commitment to advancing energy efficiency and sustainable public infrastructure within the framework of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme. Their participation in the GLA networking session offered the opportunity to showcase the ProLIGHTmed project’s ongoing work, particularly in implementing smart energy measures in public buildings and promoting low-carbon territorial planning. Kaštela’s active role also emphasized the importance of local authorities in leading climate-resilient urban transformations, reinforcing the project’s goal of supporting municipalities in adopting replicable and impactful energy solutions.

In addition to ProLIGHTmed, several other projects within the GLA Thematic Community took part in the networking event in Zagreb. The gathering allowed for a fruitful exchange of ideas, best practices, and potential avenues for joint initiatives, especially in preparation for upcoming national and transnational policy events.

The presence of Kaštela as a vocal participant reinforced ProLIGHTmed’s alignment with the mission-oriented approach of the Euro-MED Programme. The project’s emphasis on smart retrofitting of public buildings, use of digital tools for energy monitoring, and community engagement fits squarely within the GLA vision of inclusive and climate-resilient development.

This engagement at the Zagreb Conference is just one step in a broader journey to foster impactful collaboration between ProLIGHTmed and other mission projects working toward shared objectives of sustainability and regional integration.

The Conference provided an important platform for all Croatian partners involved in GLA to connect and align efforts. It also served as a preparatory space ahead of the GLA Thematic Community Event, scheduled for May 28 – 29, 2025, in Barcelona.