Do you want to build a solar cooker, charge your phone whilst on your bicycle, or perhaps make a solar panel – well now you can!
Here: https://zenodo.org/records/16091789
Thanks to a new guide issued by the European Union-funded project AURORA (Achieving a New European Energy Awareness), you have all the instructions you need.
AURORA is an initiative that places citizens at the heart of the energy transition. Its mission is to enhance energy literacy across European communities & to inspire individuals, educational institutions, & local leaders to co-create solutions for a more sustainable future. By focusing on participatory, citizen-led approaches, AURORA bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical climate action. It does so through the creation of local energy communities, and—most directly—through workshops such as those detailed in this guide.
The Guide for Citizen Workshops on Energy Matters has been designed as a hands-on educational tool. It is a practical collection of tried-and-tested workshop activities that encourage hands-on learning and engagement with energy topics. Designed for educators, community organizers, facilitators, and civic leaders, each workshop serves as a toolkit to spark conversation, critical thinking and action within a local context. Whether in classrooms, community centres, libraries, or open public spaces.
Each activity is structured to include key details such as educational goals, materials required, space and time considerations, budget estimates, and guidance on group size and facilitation. The workshops offer a diverse palette of engagements. Activities range from basic crafts for children to technically advanced electronics projects suitable for university students or adult learners.
The guide is rooted in real-world experiences across 5 different European regions & cultures. Each workshop has been implemented, evaluated, and refined through collaborative efforts among AURORA’s partners.
The inclusion of reflective components in many workshops—such as public discussions, photo exhibitions, or interactive demonstrations—ensures that participants not only gain technical knowledge but also develop a deeper understanding of the social and environmental implications of energy use. This alignment with experiential learning frameworks makes the guide an excellent resource for fostering long-term awareness & engagement.
In sum, the Guide for Citizen Workshops on Energy Matter is more than just a toolkit. It is a catalyst for community empowerment, knowledge exchange, & sustainable innovation. Download a copy, use it, share it across your networks, improve it and tell us about the reactions you get back from participants.
