Date: 18 March 2024
The webinar ‘Social cooperative as an energy cooperative: Legal and financial aspects of operation’, organised by the Polish Green Network, the Polish National Association of Social Cooperatives’ Revision and the Habitat for Humanity Poland Foundation, took place on 18 March 2024 and attracted a large number of interested parties (52 attendees in total).
During the webinar, critical issues related to the potential merger of a social cooperative with an energy business were discussed, and the theoretical aspects of organising and financing energy cooperatives, as well as the practical activities, benefits, and problems associated with their establishment, were presented.
One of the panelists, a lawyer with experience in cooperative law and renewable energy law, presented the theoretical basis for the operation of energy cooperatives, focusing on organisational and financial issues. On the other hand, the President of the “Sąsiedzi” energy cooperative in Pieniężno, shared his practical experience and discussed the benefits and challenges of operating an energy cooperative through a social cooperative.
The meeting also covered other relevant issues related to social climate policy, such as the tools and funds available and their impact on the local community, as well as strategies for mitigating the challenges and exploiting the opportunities of the policy.
The webinar gave participants a comprehensive understanding of how social action can be combined with renewable energy and sustainability initiatives. The information presented, both theoretical and practical, allowed for a better understanding of the mechanisms of energy cooperatives and the benefits of establishing them. The discussions on social climate policy and the discussion of tools such as the Social Climate Fund contributed to developing social and environmental sustainability measures.
