USAID 3E and UNDP Energy Efficiency Year in Tuzla Canton

They recognize the benefits of sustainable energy production and use, with energy efficiency and renewable energy sources being key elements. To actively promote energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and environmental protection, thirteen Mayors of Tuzla Canton municipalities and Tuzla Canton Prime Minister will sign an Energy Charter on June 19, 2013. The Charter states the Mayors' and Prime Minister's intention to direct their efforts towards a sustainable energy future in their municipalities. Within the "Energy Efficiency Year in Tuzla Canton" initiative, USAID 3E and UNDP will focus their efforts on strengthening the capacities of Tuzla Canton. This includes determining the baseline energy consumption and recommending an energy management structure. Energy management is a process of continuous monitoring of energy consumption to detect and correct excessive energy consumption, resulting in a decrease of the costs spent on energy. Activities will include creating building registers, providing equipment and training for energy management practices, identifying priority buildings and measures, monitoring and verification of consumption for municipality buildings, and technical assistance for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources projects. These activities aim to create a systematic energy management approach in one BiH region that can be replicated throughout the country. Furthermore, this approach will create a climate for investment in the field of energy efficiency, which in turn creates jobs. A comprehensive public outreach campaign will also be implemented, including setting up energy efficiency information points in all municipalities, a Student Energy Club, an educational TV series, school lessons entitled "Think of Tomorrow," workshops on "Green Office Practices," and a media campaign. The USAID Enterprise Energy Efficiency (3E) Project is a USD 4.2 million program for the promotion of energy efficiency technologies through the development of pilot projects in buildings that are co-financed by the public and private sector. The project aims to increase the capacity building of municipal partners from the public sector as well as small and medium enterprises. Additionally, the project works on increasing public awareness about the benefits of energy efficiency. To date, the U.S. Government, primarily through USAID, has provided almost $1.6 billion in assistance to support economic, democratic, and social progress in BiH. The U.S. Government's support for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources in BiH is a key component of its overall assistance program. The USAID 3E Project is one of several initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable energy production and use in the region. By working with municipal partners and implementing a comprehensive public outreach campaign, the project aims to create a sustainable energy future in Tuzla Canton and beyond.