On May 22nd, during the Knowledge Hub Poster Session at the C4E Forum in Cavtat, Croatia, Alexander Deliyannis, Founding Partner of Sympraxis Team, presented the Horizon Programme’s PEDvolution and oPEN Lab projects during a joint thematic session titled “Multi-Level Innovation in Positive Energy Neighbourhoods and Districts.”

The session explored how Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) and Positive Energy Neighbourhoods (PENs), highlighting the commonalities and unique approaches of each project, while showcasing how these innovative concepts can be enabled through digital, interoperable, and scalable solutions.

By leveraging integrated data, ICT frameworks, and collaborative governance models, these projects demonstrate how European communities can move beyond pilot concepts and living labs to achieve tangible, energy-positive solutions.

Given the event’s regional relevance, particular attention was given to the Slovenian PEDvolution co-demonstrator in Kranj, Slovenia and specifically the Planina Neighbourhood. This site is one of the projects real-world demonstrators, where the PEDvolution solutions will be co-developed, tested and evaluated within an existing urban context.

Additionally, the session served as an opportunity to present PEDvolution’s already launched Open Call for PED demonstrators. Open for submission of applications until 30 June 2025, the call aims to identify and on-board additional PEDs from across Europe, that are ready to demonstrate and test the project’s innovative solutions and methods.

Overall, this session at the C4E Forum emphasised the importance of cross-project collaboration, real-world experimentation, and open innovation in accelerating Europe’s clean energy transition – and invited new stakeholders to join that mission through PEDvolution’s Open Call.