(ANSA) - BOLOGNA, JUL 25 - Twenty-three projects to create energy communities in the Western Balkans have been submitted under the European 'Adrion' program, of which Emilia-Romagna is the lead partner in collaboration with the European Commission. The proposals come from Albania (4), Bosnia-Herzegovina (7), Montenegro (1), North Macedonia (7) and Serbia (4). They will now be evaluated with the goal of getting at least 10 of them off the ground who will benefit from specialized technical assistance and financial support to start up their respective renewable energy communities. "We are facing," says Regional Councillor for Strategic Planning and European Funds Davide Baruffi, "an important result that rewards our commitment and the strategic role of Emilia-Romagna as a bridge to the Western Balkans. This broad participation demonstrates the willingness of local authorities, businesses and associations in the Balkans to introduce concrete projects in the area of energy transition." The initiative is promoted through the 'Better Cohesion through Development of Energy Communities in the Western Balkans' project call and aims to transfer skills from the region to partner countries. "The region does not just support projects by funding them, but exports expertise, builds relationships, and reinforces the value of a more cohesive and sustainable Europe," Baruffi adds. At the heart of the initiative are the principles of energy democracy, reducing energy poverty and promoting social innovation. The project contributes to strengthening the objectives of the European Union by supporting the process of bringing the Western Balkans closer to the EU guidelines on the energy sector. (ANSA).