The recent LEAP-RE Stakeholder Forum, hosted in Pretoria, South Africa, by the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), and online from 3 to 6 October gathered more than 300 participants.
Opening statements by high-level officials have been the occasion to recall the tremendous challenges we are facing, with climate change – the planet’s poorest countries often being the hardest-hit – and the Russian war recalling the urgency of steering clear of fossil fuels. With renewable energy at the core, the ambition of LEAP-RE is to progress on several “development enablers”: decarbonisation, resilience and diversification of the energy mix; co-innovation or even reverse innovation; inclusive transition, empowerment, entrepreneurship and new skills; and the crucial role of science diplomacy as a lever for change.
The forum has been the occasion to share recent news, including the launch of 13 projects from the 1st call and the opening of the 2nd call, the preliminary results of our Pillar 2, the dynamic around new thematic clusters (capacity building, data collection, energy modelling), the first Renewable Energy School (with 25 students), and the launch of the LEAP-RE online community platform.
We have collectively started to engage in dialogues with other communities. Synergies can and should be sought with established groups, for instance on hydrogen, raw materials, digital technologies, climate services, or mobility.
Last but not least, we are setting the foundations for a lasting endeavour. Work has started to prepare the future of LEAP-RE and reflect on our pathways for impact: we must demonstrate our contribution to SDGs, with impact on local communities and the environment. LEAP-RE can be seen as a platform supporting science-based and innovation-friendly policymaking on sustainable energy, driving co-benefits on social inclusiveness, gender equality, biodiversity, economic empowerment, reducing poverty – in other words, address SDG7 in ways that drive improvements in all other SDGs.
Join the LEAP-RE Online Community Platform
We have taken the opportunity of the LEAP-RE Stakeholder Forum to release the LEAP-RE Online Community Platform. The Platform is a space for Renewable Energy research and innovation stakeholders from both Africa and Europe to exchange, share knowledge, and collaborate on common opportunities. All the presentations made during the event can also be downloaded through the LEAP-RE App. Please create and detail your profile and start sharing updates with the community!
Recordings: Watch the Forum highlights!
All the public sessions have been recorded. If you have missed the Forum, or would simply like to rewatch some of the sessions, you can do so now on the LEAP-RE YouTube channel.
Download the Presentations
Pillar 1 Projects Kick-off Meeting (consolidated presentations of the 13 projects)
Pillar 2 Projects Presentations – first results:
Related Green Deal Projects Presentations – Clustering Session:
