Through the development of digital tools and engagement of stakeholders, the Interreg Central Europe JETforCE project aims to provide decision-makers with a comprehensive framework for diverse challenges in the energy transition. A goal of the JETforCE project is to offer resources for stakeholder engagement and capacity-building, promoting understanding of green energy transition benefits. Engaging especially marginalised citizens is key in order to enable a just energy transition for all. This is where the JETforCE Challenge Mapping Tool comes into play. The web-based app and connected databased, which integrates blockchain technology, allows citizens across Central Europe to report "challenges" related to the just energy transition and assess climate transition initiatives in a given region, with the ultimate goal of identifying potentially adverse effects on vulnerable communities. The beta version of the JETforCE Digital Challenge Mapping tool was launched already in September 2023 and has since been piloted in each of the 9 partner countries across Central Europe. Tested first amongst partners and the members of the Transnational Just Energy Transition Alliance (T-JETA), the groundbreaking nature of this initiative was highlighted backgrounds — underlining its potential to transform the way citizens, policy makers, and higher authorities collaborate in addressing climate change. The innovative app serves as a bridge, facilitating a closer and more meaningful connection between citizens and decision-makers. In essence, the JETforCE Challenge Mapping Tool stands as a testament to the power of inclusive citizen engagement in fostering a brighter and more sustainable future, where collaborative efforts are at the heart of effective climate action and energy transition.

Through the development of digital tools and engagement of stakeholders, Interreg Central Europe JETforCE project aims to provide decision-makers with a comprehensive framework for diverse challenges in the energy transition. A goal of the JETforCE project is to offer resources for stakeholder engagement and capacity-building, promoting understanding of green energy transition benefits, including the "JETforCE Joint Strategy for Stakeholder Engagement in Just Energy Transition". The aim of the strategy and accompanying digital tools is to support in stakeholder engagement/capacity building activities across partner countries and beyond. Specifically, the strategies highlights methodologies for addressing vulnerable demographics and affected regions in the transition towards sustainable energy, encouraging open communication, promoting transparency, and offering insights for adapting strategies to local needs and contexts. Capacity enhancing refers to improving the ability of project partners / associated partners – not just project managers, but across the partners’ organisations – as well as Just Energy Transition Alliance (JETA) members to apply and successful implement JETforCE tools into their daily activities.

The JETforCE digital technology evaluation tool supports decision-makers in their selection of a given technological solution to support regions in undergoing a just energy transition. The web-based application is a brand-new software developed within the project which analyses costs/benefits of existing and proposed technologies for green energy production, distribution and use. The evaluation can be applied to most recent technologies (e.g., IOT, big data, smart meters and thermostats, optimised process control). End users such as decision-makers at the local/regional/national level answer questions about a given technology they have selected to evaluate through a "just energy transition lens". The tool assesses the technologies based on carefully selected indicators on potential impact on socio-procedural justice, energy indicators and costs, resulting in a weighted score to support in decision-making for investments. This brand-new software analyses and compares performance of energy transition technologies actually implemented and ideal scenarios, through a cost-benefit analysis. Benefits are related to energy and socio-economic indicators.

Online kit containing JETforCE capacity enhancing resources and guidelines for application of both digital tools (i.e., the Digital Challenge Mapping Tool & the Technology Evaluation Tool). This includes guidelines on how to ensure access of all citizens, including vulnerable ones.

In February 2024, the JETforCE project launched the first JETforCE Transnational pilot action, "Mapping Energy Transition Challenges with Citizens," testing the Challenge Mapping Tool. Developed with input from project partners and PP3-IAAI, the tool assesses climate transition initiatives and identifies potential impacts on vulnerable communities in Central Europe. The official launch occurred at the Bautzen Energy Forum, with local events in partner regions to engage citizens and stakeholders in mapping energy transition challenges. The report summarises the pilot activities, analyses the identified challenges, and provides input for policy consolidation.

The JETforCE Challenges Mapping Tool is an innovative digital solution designed to enhance citizen engagement in assessing Just Energy Transition (JET) programmes and co-creating future energy policies and investments. Focused on knowledge, communication, and civic involvement, this tool facilitates direct communication between citizens and public stakeholders at the regional level. It allows citizens, especially vulnerable groups, to identify challenges and propose solutions for JET programmes. The tool fosters social cohesion and public sector innovation by providing a platform for citizens to interact with various JET stakeholders. This enables the identification and specification of regional JET challenges and action opportunities. Additionally, digital ambassadors help bridge the gap for those who may not be reached through digital means alone, ensuring broader participation in the energy transition process. This approach is outlined in the report on D2.2.2. JETforCE Solution 1 – "Mapping Energy Transition Challenges with Citizens," which details the tool's development, pilot testing, and its impact on fostering more inclusive and collaborative energy transition processes across regions.

Following the successful completion of the JETforCE Transnational Pilot 1, the project partners officially launched the second pilot action, "Evaluating and Deploying Just Energy Transition Responsive Technologies," during the fourth project period. This second pilot is divided into two stages, with this report focusing on "STAGE 1 - Testing the Tool for Technology Evaluation." The second pilot is a key component of the JETforCE piloting phase and plays a crucial role in promoting the use of digital technologies to enable a Just Energy Transition in Central Europe (CE). Its main objective is to optimise investments in energy efficiency and green energy technologies, while ensuring social equality. Stage 1 concentrated on testing the Technology Evaluation Tool (D.1.4.1) in partner regions. This new tool, co-created to analyse the cost/benefits of existing and proposed green energy technologies, was used to assess various technologies and propose solutions to challenges identified during Transnational Pilot 1. Project partners provided their inputs to the WP2 leader, IRENA, and these contributions and findings are included in this report.