The usual technical assistance and support schemes often take the capacity of a community to stay informed and eventually access such instruments for granted. Resources in the form of small grants for early stage organisation, preparations and planning are very scarce and as a result small islands are left behind.
To address this need, the Samsø Energy Academy asked support from the Danish Rural Fund to help kick-off the local discussion about energy in small islands in Denmark and share thoughts about energy planning and the future. So far, meetings were held with stakeholders on the islands of Fur, Omø, Orø, Strynø and Venø, all members of the Association of Danish Small Islands.
The existing European framework in place in the form of the EU Islands Secretariat was also discussed, as well as the possibility for the small islands to sign up to the Clean Energy for EU Islands Pledge.
The work is on-going to the extent that the current restrictions in force in Denmark allow it.