The PLAN4CET Mentoring Programme, held on 7–8 October 2025 in Pamplona, Navarra, Spain, brought together local and regional actors from across Europe to share experiences and strengthen capacities for the Clean Energy Transition (CET).

Over two days, participants explored key topics such as multilevel governance, EU funding opportunities, public-private collaboration, and integral technical support — including real-life examples of one-stop-shops (OSS) serving local authorities. The programme also covered monitoring and continuous improvement tools such as the SECAP Monitoring Tool, LIFE NADAPTA Monitoring, and the Plan4CET Toolbox. Additionally, a Transition Manager workshop provided insights into the theory of change, supported by practical examples.

As part of the event, participants visited a solar car park, an excellent example of a public-private partnership between the Pamplona Municipality and a local energy company. They also toured social housing units that have been retrofitted and upgraded with heat pumps and solar systems, showcasing practical, scalable models for sustainable energy solutions.

R. Jeyald Anthony, Project Officer of the Irish Pilot of the PoliRuralPlus Project, represented Monaghan Integrated Development and the Plan4CET Mentoring Programme at the event. He delivered a presentation on the Regional Action Plan for County Monaghan, developed under the PoliRuralPlus initiative. The plan — focusing on Circular Economy and Community Engagement — was highlighted as one of the project’s best practice outcomes.

Speaking after the event, Jeyald emphasised the importance of implementing the Regional Action Plan with a focus on Circular Economy initiatives and exploring funding opportunities to support its execution in the coming year. He also underlined the value of peer learning and collaboration in accelerating regional climate and energy transition efforts across Europe.

Participants from Spain, Romania, Hungary, and Ireland took part in this in-person mentoring session, sharing their experiences, best practices, and lessons learned throughout the event.

“The mentoring programme provided an excellent opportunity to learn from innovative European models in clean energy and circular economy. It also reinforced the importance of integrating community engagement and local partnerships into the regional transition process.”

A learning blog capturing key takeaways from this inspiring experience will be published soon — stay tuned for insights on how Irish regions can continue advancing clean energy and circular economy goals through collaboration and innovation. Special thanks to the Plan4CET project team for organising this event productively and efficiently.

The Plan4CET (Planning for Clean Energy Transition) project, co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, supports European municipalities and regions in developing and implementing effective Clean Energy Transition (CET) strategies, fostering knowledge exchange, governance improvement, and innovative financing models to accelerate local climate action.