“Green Energy and Energy Efficiency”, twin-city meeting and conference
On-site Meeting in Covasna – Sustainable Energy and Community Cooperation
Covasna, April 4–5, 2025
The on-site meeting in Covasna successfully brought together local residents, municipal decision-makers, and representatives of civil organizations, creating an opportunity for meaningful professional dialogue on sustainable energy solutions. The Transylvanian event of the SUSCOMNET project (Project ID: 101138675) focused on the practical application of green energy and energy efficiency technologies, showcasing the best practices and achievements of the sister cities to date.
The sharing of best practices and success stories promoted mutual learning and the exchange of experiences. Participants reviewed a wide spectrum of initiatives, ranging from the modernization of municipal infrastructure and the integration of renewable energy sources to community awareness-raising campaigns. Special emphasis was placed on the efficiency of solutions built on local characteristics, as well as long-term sustainability, energy-conscious behavior, and the role of education and communication in promoting a shift in mindset.
The meeting reinforced the importance of cooperation between cities, encouraging municipalities to establish partnerships that support joint planning, knowledge sharing, and the implementation of pilot projects aimed at the green transition. The event contributed in an inspiring way to strengthening cross-border cooperation in order to develop resilient and energy-efficient urban communities.
Day One – Site Visits
On the first day, participants visited local healthcare institutions, where they learned how sustainability principles are integrated into institutional operations. During the visits, they gained insight into energy-efficient building renovations, the use of renewable energy sources, and modern resource management solutions implemented within the healthcare infrastructure.
Ongoing investments were also presented, allowing participants to gain direct experience of the region's commitment to green developments. The program provided an opportunity for direct dialogue with local professionals and decision-makers, resulting in constructive professional discussions regarding the application of sustainable technologies.
Day Two – Professional Presentations and Expert Dialogue
The second day was filled with professional presentations and expert discussions. The presentations examined the topics of green energy and energy efficiency from multiple perspectives, touching upon innovative technological solutions, educational strategies, urban development plans, and the best practices of sister cities. The speakers presented successful initiatives through concrete examples and formulated recommendations for strengthening cooperation between cities to support energy-conscious planning and the sustainable transition.
Presentations delivered:
- Sustainability Initiatives in Covasna – Dr. József Gyerő, Mayor of Covasna – presented the city's sustainability efforts within the context of its rich historical and cultural heritage. He demonstrated the coordinated implementation of ecotourism, thermal water management, green infrastructure development, and community participation.
- Sustainable Development in Covasna – Investments Realized from EU and National Funds – Sándor Para, City Manager of Covasna – described the city's strategic developments, including the rehabilitation of the historic city center, the creation of a panoramic lookout and wellness promenade, the renovation of energy-efficient public buildings and educational institutions, as well as the development of electric vehicle infrastructure and bicycle paths.
- Biodiversity and Medical Tourism – Tamás Baranyai, biologist and certified medical biotechnologist, presented the correlations between biodiversity, green energy, and health tourism through the examples of the Covasna and Gyula regions.
- Green Energy and Energy Efficiency – Sustainable Programs of the City of Gyula – Edit Hajnal, marketing expert and project coordinator, on behalf of the Gyula Mayor's Office, presented community-oriented, sustainable environment-beautifying programs such as the Spring Flower Distribution, "Flowery Gyula," "The Most Beautiful Kitchen Gardens – Hungary's Most Beautiful Kitchen Gardens" competition, and the "Fruit Tree for the Yard – Ornamental Tree for the Street" initiative.
- Construction of the Covasna SPA and Wellness Center – Energy Efficiency Aspects – in this presentation, Béla Sárosi (KÉSZ Romania) described the energy efficiency strategy of the construction, highlighting the use of renewable energy sources and the enforcement of nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) design principles.
- Cultural and Generational Aspects of the Green Transition – this presentation was held by Dr. Tamás Szilágyi, innovation and urban development expert (PTE–KPVK), in which he analyzed the social and cultural dimensions of the sustainability mindset, as well as the differences between generations and potential strategies for attitude formation.
- Green Pedagogy: Energy Awareness in Schools – in her presentation, Dr. Fanni Dudok, assistant professor (SZTE–JGYPK), demonstrated the role of education in developing energy-conscious thinking, emphasizing the use of interactive and project-based methods.
- Passive House Renovation of a "Kádár-cube" Style Family House in Transylvania – in this presentation, Dr. Szabolcs Varga, civil engineer (Passive House Institute, Darmstadt), described the steps of energy-efficient renovation and the practical experiences of achieving sustainable housing.
- With or against it? – A Molecular Perspective on CO₂ – Sándor Gyila, physicist (HUN-REN), analyzed the environmental, scientific, and cultural dimensions of carbon dioxide, with special regard to the local mofetta phenomenon and its significance in medical tourism.
During the two days of the event, participants actively engaged in professional and informal dialogue. Consultations with local citizens, civil organizations, and youth groups strengthened community ties and cooperation in the fields of green energy and sustainable development.
The content quality and community impact of the on-site meeting in Covasna both proved to be significant. The event laid the groundwork for deeper professional cooperation and the establishment of long-term partnerships, strengthening the practical implementation of the project's sustainability objectives.
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