The LICHT Approach: A Methodology for the Paradigm Shift in Energy Production

As the demand for sustainable and decentralized energy generation grows across Europe, the role of EU citizens in shaping this transformation is becoming increasingly significant. While it once seemed that large energy providers held an unshakable monopoly, rising awareness of environmental concerns and the need for energy security is shifting the balance. Today, more and more control is being placed in the hands of citizens, communities, and municipalities, allowing them to generate the energy they need to meet their own demands.

This ongoing transformation is supported by the LICHT approach, a methodology developed by REScoop. But what exactly is LICHT, and how does it work?

What is REScoop?

REScoop (Renewable Energy Source Cooperative) is a European federation of citizen-led renewable energy communities (ECs). Its mission is to promote the transition from centralized energy supply systems to community-based production.

REScoop’s core activities include:

• Advocacy: Representing ECs in front of European decision-makers, regulatory bodies, and relevant institutions to ensure favourable legal and regulatory environments.
• Support and Guidance: Providing practical tools, training, and advisory services to help new communities get started, and offering professional assistance to existing communities on administrative, financial, and technical matters.
• International Cooperation: Encouraging knowledge-sharing and collaboration between ECs through conferences, workshops, and joint projects, offering members the opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences, and innovative solutions.
• Promotion of the Cooperative Business Model: Raising awareness and acceptance of democratic, community-based business models within the energy sector.

What is the LICHT Approach?

LICHT stands for Local Initiatives for Community-based Holistic Transition. It is a structured methodology and support system designed to help local communities kick-start their own energy projects through education and access to key information.

Why Is Community Energy Important?

This shift in energy production isn’t just a technical or economic challenge; it’s a social one too. If the European Union is to meet its ambitious climate goals by 2050, citizens must play an active and initiating role in the transformation.

According to a study by CE Delft - a Dutch independent research and consultancy institute that has worked on sustainability issues for over 45 years - by 2050 up to 50% of EU citizens could be producing renewable energy, either individually, for example through solar panels, or as part of an EC. The LICHT approach aims to make this potential a reality.

The LICHT Training Journey

A key element of the LICHT approach is a step-by-step training program that includes the following seven stages:

1. Inspiration: Introducing the benefits of ECs and the various paths toward realizing them. The aim is to help participants understand the significance of ECs and motivate them to start their own initiatives.

2. Action Plan Development: Mapping out local needs, resources, and specific characteristics to create a tailored action plan. Participants define their goals, identify stakeholders, and lay out a timeline, tasks, and responsibilities.

3. Building Community Support: Exploring how to deepen engagement, attract new members, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the EC.

4. Identifying Funding Opportunities: Presenting national, municipal, and EU-level funding schemes and grants. Participants learn where and how to access these resources and how to leverage them effectively for financing their projects.

5. Developing a Fundable Project: Turning project ideas into solid funding proposals. Participants are taught how to create well-structured, evidence-based applications that align with funding criteria and respond to real community needs.

6. Integration into Local Strategy: Examining how the project can align with broader municipal or regional development strategies. The program supports collaboration with local governments to embed ECs into long-term planning.

7. Knowledge Exchange: Organizing meetings among LICHT groups to foster experience-sharing, the dissemination of best practices, and the exploration of cooperation opportunities. The goal is to build a community network that supports the growth of ECs.

The “Strawberry Model”

REScoop often compares the LICHT approach to strawberry cultivation. A single plant can’t cover a field on its own, but through its runners, it gradually spreads and takes root across the area. The same applies to ECs: when motivated individuals are provided with the right knowledge and training, they can start new initiatives and pass on their expertise to others.

The key to success lies in local collaboration. While REScoop provides tools and guidance, it is the local actors who truly understand their community’s needs and limitations, making them the real driving force behind the energy transition.

Although the LICHT methodology has so far been implemented primarily in Belgium, it is highly adaptable to other European countries. The knowledge, experience, and tried-and-tested training materials are already available - all that’s needed are local partners ready to put them to use.

As Europe moves ever closer toward a sustainable energy future, the LICHT approach offers a solid foundation for grassroots change, proving that individual citizens can indeed spark large-scale transformation.