The transition to a zero-emission energy system is not only a techno-economic challenge but fundamentally a social one. Achieving fair and effective
energy transitions requires not just new technologies or market models, but inclusive governance frameworks that enable meaningful public
participation. The LOVPRELAE project investigates how different regulatory and institutional contexts in Germany, Turkey, Brazil, and Peru shape
citizen participation in renewable energy (RE) projects. Through a transdisciplinary approach that bridges political science, ecological economics,
energy systems analysis, sustainable engineering, and local stakeholder knowledge, the project aims to evaluate real-world participatory
practices—both procedural (involvement in planning and decision-making) and financial (benefit-sharing and community energy models). It will apply a
common analytical methodology to a series of case studies across the four countries, co-developing innovative frameworks with stakeholders to
assess and improve participatory processes. The project contributes to the growing research field of socio-technical sustainability transitions by
identifying context-sensitive drivers of inclusive participation. On the topic of public participation and local value creation, there is significant potential
for mutual learning between European and Latin American countries, where experiences and innovations can be meaningfully shared. Through crossnational comparison and knowledge exchange, LOVPRELAE will generate policy-relevant insights and strengthen the policy and regulatory
foundations for just and community-centered RE deployment in the Global North and the Global South. In doing so, it highlights participation not as an
accessory to energy transitions, but as a central pillar of their success.
