The HERCULES-CE project officially launched with its kick-off meeting on October 30-31, 2024, in Berlin, Germany. The venue was located in the so-called „Death Zone,” near the site of the former Berlin Wall—a poignant reminder of the city’s past division between the communist East and the democratic West. This historic location served as a symbolic backdrop for a project focused on fostering cooperation and energy resilience in Central Europe.
The Berlin Wall, which stood from 1961 to 1989, was more than just a physical barrier; it was a stark representation of the Cold War tensions that divided Europe. Today, fragments of the Wall remain as both a reminder of those turbulent times and a testament to the power of unity and reconstruction—a fitting metaphor for HERCULES-CE’s mission to build resilient energy communities (RECs) across borders.
A packed agenda for collaborative success
Hosted by the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation (DGRV), the kick-off meeting was adjusted to emphasize activities that required personal presence and interaction. The project objectives were introduced by the lead partner, Emilia-Romagna Region. Key discussions centered on the main goals, expected results, and the tools needed to enhance REC performance.
The meeting opened with presentations of work package (WP) tasks, including WP1’s analysis of RECs and strategies for engaging target users. Rather than delve into pilot plans, the consortium chose to concentrate on foundational tasks and collaborative discussions that benefited from face-to-face interaction.
Day 1 ended with a sightseeing walk through Berlin’s historic sites, followed by a social dinner, offering participants a chance to strengthen their professional connections in a more relaxed setting.
Day 2 covered project management, quality monitoring, and financial procedures, ensuring that all partners were aligned on administrative and operational matters. Communication strategies and plans for associate partner engagement were also key topics of discussion.
Building resilience together
The HERCULES-CE project embarks on a journey to build stronger, more interconnected energy communities. With the symbolic backdrop of Berlin’s „Death Zone,” the consortium left the meeting motivated to turn shared challenges into opportunities.
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The HERCULES-CE project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and Hungary within the Interreg Central Europe Programme.
