Maintaining the security and affordability of the EU’s energy supply is a key part of the European Commission’s long-term vision for a sustainable and fair European energy system.

Projects of common interest (PCIs) have an important role to play as major facilities that connect energy networks between countries, ensuring that secure, clean and affordable energy reaches all citizens.

There are many stakeholders to consider in the implementation of large-scale, cross-border infrastructure projects, several of whom raise concerns about these projects’ potential impact on health, the environment and local communities.

The challenge

Increasing public understanding and acceptance of the importance of building key cross border infrastructure projects that link the energy systems of EU countries. In particular, easing concerns among a broad group of stakeholders, from environmental NGOs and health care professionals to politicians and businesses at local and national levels.

Τhe solution

SCOPE performed extensive research on attitudes towards energy infrastructure initiatives in the relevant pilot regions to gain an overview of the drivers for low public acceptance of trans-European infrastructure projects and identify the stakeholders affected by these projects.

The overall objective was to test innovative communication actions and materials, targeting multiple audiences, to increase public understanding and acceptance towards the development of PCIs and speed up the implementation of key electricity infrastructure.

Our communication experts created an outreach plan for each pilot region and managed the production of content for all social media platforms, including short animated videos, printable flyers, factsheets, leaflets, posters and a press kit.

Large public events, including Citizen’s Dialogues and related press and media involvement, were also foreseen. The COVID-19 pandemic meant that many of these actions could not proceed as planned.