How to Start

① How to Start ❯

② Energy Democracy in Action ❯

③ Know Your Rights ❯

④ Municipal Deep Dives ❯

⑤ Glossary ❯

The Start

Find Your Entry Point

Map the System

Enter the System

Strategic Framing

Make an Ask

Make a Formal Ask

Turn your idea into action. Move from conversation to a written, formal request.

Draft a formal project
proposal to submit to the
municipality, such as a
community solar project
that aligns with local
renewable energy targets
and job creation goals.

When presenting your project, ensure it clearly supports municipal energy goals, such as renewable energy targets, job creation, or increased energy resilience.

Policy goals affirm inclusive energy access (e.g. DCCS, IDP).

Make a formal ask for a
rigorous feasibility study to
demonstrate the viability
and potential impact of
community energy
projects. Use this study as
a tool to secure municipal
buy-in.

What to do

  • Request a meeting (Energy Office, municipality)

  • Submit a concept note

  • Propose a pilot project

  • Ask to join working groups

Example Wording

“We propose a community solar project aligned with your renewable targets and job creation goals.”

Push the boundary

From participation to transformation. Once you are in the room, look for what the system is still missing.

Identify gaps in policy. Advocate for:

Community ownership

Push for communities to own and control energy projects, not just benefit from them. Energy co-operatives, for example, are owned and run by their members, who jointly own and control renewable projects. Community trusts and the community-benefit requirements under REIPPPP are other models to learn from.

Inclusion in procurement

Push for community groups, co-operatives and local small businesses to have a fair chance to take part when the municipality buys energy, equipment and services for energy projects. If the rules shut local players out, that’s a policy gap worth naming.

Access to low-income households

Push for projects and policies that reach the households that need them most. Municipalities must give effect to the right of access to basic services, including electricity (Municipal Systems Act, s73). Indigent households can receive Free Basic Electricity (50 kWh a month) or, if they’re off-grid, Free Basic Alternative Energy.

NB: BE CLEAR-EYED

Municipalities are not obligated to include communities, but communities can push for change using policy, strategy, and rights.

✓ YOU'VE COMPLETED HOW TO START

Everything you ticked and chose along the way, in one place.