Reporting Resilient Cities

In January 2026 tens of thousands of Berlin residents were suddenly left in the dark and cold for several days. Major blackouts struck Prague in July and October 2025. And in Winter 2026, the inhabitants of Kyiv have endured months without a reliable energy supply, forced to adapt their daily lives to prolonged uncertainty and disruption. All these examples illustrate: Energy resilience has become one of the most pressing challenges confronting local governments across Europe. 

Technical measures to safeguard energy infrastructure against sabotage and destruction remain essential. But the most promising and sustainable path toward greater resilience lies in the energy transition itself: Reducing dependence on energy imports and fossil fuels, decentralizing energy systems, and expanding renewable sources are not merely environmental objectives. They are strategic imperatives. 

Yet the energy transition represents far more than a technical adjustment. It entails profound structural transformation, requiring comprehensive legislation, substantial investment in infrastructure, and, perhaps most importantly, a shift in societal mindset. It calls for a shared commitment to long-term sustainability, innovation, and collective responsibility.

The partner cities of Berlin, Kyiv, and Prague have each embarked upon this demanding journey. By exchanging experiences, sharing best practices, and learning from one another’s successes and setbacks, they can accelerate progress and strengthen their respective strategies.

This project aims to contribute to that exchange by

• personally and professionally connecting journalists from the three partner cities who are interested in the topic of energy transition, thereby establishing the foundation for a sustainably intensified coverage of each city on a wide range of topics;

• informing a broad public in all three cities about the challenges and strategies present in the partner cities to enhance energy resilience, fostering a lasting interest among citizens in their partner cities;

• enriching the local political and professional debate on energy transition strategies by providing concrete recommendations and best-practice examples drawn from the experiences of the partner cities.