Powering change: MENA professionals drive the energy transition forward

From June to September 2025, 24 civil servants and professionals from semi-public organisations across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) partook in a training programme in The Hague and Tunis on the Energy Transition in the Built Environment – commissioned by RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency)  and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As MENA's cities grow warmer and denser, the energy transition is not only a technological challenge, but also a question of resilience, leadership and opportunity. With abundant sunlight, wind and space, countries work hard to become frontrunners in renewables and hydrogen. This programme is designed to support participants to navigate complex transitions and contribute effectively: to negotiate, advocate, and build bridges across sectors and borders. They worked in international, cross-sectoral teams to develop impactful projects. Teams focused on: (i) strategic solar energy zoning in marginalised, off-grid areas (with a pilot in the Palestinian Territories), (ii) circular economy-models for photovoltaic panels, (iii) energy efficiency in public buildings, and (iv) developing a regional platform for knowledge exchange.

Throughout both weeks, participants visited key sites that exemplify energy transition in practice. In the Netherlands, they toured the Green Village in Delft and Amsterdam Noord, a district undergoing sustainable transformation. In Tunisia, they visited Qair’s floating solar installations, the offices of AUGT and a wind farm in collaboration with STEG and GIZ. Alumni Marwa Moussaoui from STEG organised a session with various female change makers in the Tunisian energy sector. 

We are excited to follow the journey of participants' projects and the impact they will have across the MENA-region!