In this case study, STORCITO works with communities in Continental, Boreal, and Atlantic regions to co-create low-carbon energy solutions, including digital planning models, decision-support tools, and hands-on training. With a focus on transparency, autonomy, and accessibility, the project also explores how rural areas can adopt carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) practices that are tailored to their scale and social context.

The challenge we face:

• The shift toward clean energy is one of Europe’s top priorities; but rural communities often struggle to keep up.
• Despite vast potential for renewable resources like wind, biomass, and solar, many rural areas face barriers to energy transition: lack of infrastructure, limited access to technical expertise, and scarce investment.
• Europe’s energy goals (including climate neutrality by 2050), can only be achieved if all regions are part of the transformation.
• Rural communities need not just energy access, but energy autonomy.
• Locally managed systems offer a path toward fairer, more resilient models; ones that reflect people’s real needs and values.