Cosmina Pandele presents Berceni’s green transition approach in ENVE external meeting in Assisi

At the ENVE External Conference held in Assisi (Italy), on the 19th June 2026, European Alliance member Cosmina-Ramona Pandele shared her experience in Berceni (Romania) in delivering a practical and community-driven green transition. Addressing members of the European Committee of the Regions’ ENVE Commission, Ms Pandele highlighted how local authorities can combine sustainable development, economic growth and citizen participation.

Berceni, a rapidly growing municipality near Ploiești in Romania’s Prahova County, faces increasing pressure on housing, mobility, public services and infrastructure. Ms Pandele explained that the municipality’s goal is to manage this growth in a sustainable way, ensuring that development remains compatible with environmental protection and quality of life.

Among the initiatives presented were investments in renewable energy for public self-consumption, green-blue infrastructure, digital public administration and improved public services. But particularly Berceni’s future Industrial Park, a Just Transition project designed not simply as a business zone, but as a managed economic hub combining modern infrastructure, environmental standards, climate resilience and strong links with the local community.

A key element of the project has been stakeholder engagement. Through consultations, focus groups and surveys, the municipality gathered input from businesses, investors and residents to ensure that the project responds both to economic needs and community expectations.

“The main lesson for us is simple: green policies are more successful when people understand them and when projects are designed with the community, not only for the community,” Ms Pandele told participants.

Looking ahead, Berceni plans to integrate the project into its Local Development Strategy and its commitments under the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, supporting greener and more responsible local development.

The members of the ENVE Commission congratulated Ms Pandele for the project’s ambition and planning as a good example to follow.