A rapidly growing world population and increasing energy consumption are leading to a continuous rise of greenhouse gas emissions. Resulting climate change and extreme weather events represent one of the greatest challenges in Europe. RURES 
sets to exploit the potential of renewable energies (RES) and energy efficiency (EE) in rural regions as they have a great potential for reaching energy autonomy. Within RURES local support group composed of all relevant actors will be established acting as a regional energy network for implementing energy efficiency plans.

 Best-practices of alternative financing models for EE/RES measures will be researched and become the basis for new feasibility studies on how to implement energy efficiency plans. The calculator tool (for municipal taxes and other incomes) will highlight the importance of a community-oriented regional development and further underline the benefits and added value generated by exploiting EE/RES. 

The low-carbon priority aims at increasing the use of renewable energies and improving energy efficiency while exploiting the economic growth potential of the low-carbon sector. The projects funded under this priority will contribute to enhancing knowledge and skills with regard to efficient energy management of public infrastructures. They will develop and implement  territorially based low-carbon strategies and support mobility in functional urban areas hence helping to tackle the challenges central Europe is facing in energy production and consumption.

Read  more