PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The overarching objective of IN-PLAN is to develop, test and roll-out the IN-PLAN practice – a long-lasting support structure enabling local and regional authorities to effectively implement their sustainable energy and climate plans by a) integrating energy and climate planning with spatial planning (and other types of planning tools, such as mobility, infrastructure, etc.); b) ensuring commitment at all political levels (through vertical integration); and c) matching the included measures with specific dedicated local and regional budget lines. On top of delivering this innovative and effective approach, IN-PLAN intends to empower local and regional governments and their agencies through a 2-step capacity building programme. From the start, the IN-PLAN consortium will engage 15 local and regional governments (Lighthouses) in order to co-create, implement and refine the IN-PLAN practice, its operational guidelines and the capacity building programme. Once developed, the 2-step capacity building will start. Phase one will aim at “training-the-trainers”: empowering at least 50 energy, climate and/or development agencies from across Europe to become IN-PLAN Multipliers. Phase two will aim at passing on the knowledge to local and regional governments, who will be tutored either by the 5 national project partners (at least 30 further local and regional governments – pilots – will be reached within the project) or by the trained multipliers, who will be able to offer the service of integrated energy, climate and spatial planning to local and regional governments in their regions (Replicators). The 2-step capacity building will ensure the sustainability of the action beyond the project duration, together with the creation of 6 coalition groups (1 at EU level and 1 for each IN-PLAN MS - Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Romania and Sweden) to disseminate policy recommendations targeting the institutionalization of integrated planning and budgeting across Europe.