Created in 2019, the Syndicat mixte fermé Est Creuse operates the energy and climate programme for two Associations of communities in the Eastern part of the Creuse department, Creuse Confluence and Marche et Combraille en Aquitaine. This very rural territory does not lack imagination to overcome its everyday challenges and is more and more committed to the energy transition: an opportunity for local development.

The town of Peyrelevade has been committed to the energy transition for quite a few years and took part in many projects such as "Isole Toit" for the refurbishment and isolation of buildings with local materials. Located in a very remoted area of central France, Peyrelevade is the perfect example of a community with wide access to renewable sources of energy, but lots of constraints to promote their use. Refurbishment of public and private buildings from local eco-sourced materials is a success as it meets both the needs of the population and boosts the local economy. Other dimensions of the energy transition have been developed such as the production of renewable energy (heat and electricity).

The region of Gaume is located at the very South of Belgium, on the boarder with France and Luxembourg. The territory is very much active for the energy transition and presents a coherent territorial development strategy, including energy challenges but also local food and agriculture, culture and much more. Even though it is facing tough conditions in terms of development of agriculture, its location turned out to be an advantage, promoting quality over quantity of long time ago, and working hand in hand with its neighbors.

The association of Communities Les Monts du Lyonnais is a rural territory with a strategic location, 45 minutes away from the large city of Lyon. The territory is facing challenges of mobility but also energy efficiency of buildings leading to energy insecurity for many households. Their commitment to the energy transition opened new opportunities for the territory such as European projects benefits and funding.

The Diputacion de Avila is in the center-west of Spain, a region divided by the mountains of the Sistema central. Energy has taken a place more and more important over the year for the Diputacion conscious of the potential of its rural territories. For this reason, the Diputacion de Avila is active at the European level to speak up for its rural territories, and joined RURENER in 2019.

Located in a very remote area of the Creuse department in the center of France, Combraille en Marche gathers 2 associations of communities (previously 5). In the last decade, energy transition and environmental awareness raising projects have been taking roots. Facing constraints of extreme rurality, they find innovative solutions to move towards the energy transition. Just like their neighbors of the Regional Natural Park of Millevaches en Limousin, they are working on becoming a positive energy territory.