A national training programme has supported local authority officers across England to build the skills and confidence needed to lead meaningful conversations with communities about clean energy.

Delivered on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero by engagement experts Involve, the Energy Champions programme followed on from the Innovate UK Net Zero Living Programme and involved all five Local Net Zero Hubs – including the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub.

The programme created a cohort of officers able to champion more effective public engagement within their organisations and local areas.

The insights from the programme have also informed new guidance on energy engagement, giving local authorities practical, evidence-based tools to support their work.

The guidance can be found here – Starting the Conversation – on Net Zero Go.

Local energy projects – from retrofit and heat networks to place-based energy strategies – rely on communities being actively involved in shaping decisions, not simply consulted after the fact.

However, many local authorities face challenges in delivering this kind of engagement, often lacking shared resources, consistent approaches or opportunities to learn from peers.

The Energy Champions programme was designed to address this gap by equipping officers with the tools, techniques and networks needed to improve how they engage with residents and stakeholders.

Through a series of regional workshops held across England 45 local authority officers developed practical skills in deliberative engagement – learning how to design processes that genuinely listen to communities, respond to concerns and incorporate public input into decision-making.

Alongside this, participants were supported to communicate climate and net zero in ways that resonate with local audiences, focusing on values-based messaging and clear, accessible storytelling.

For the North East and Yorkshire region, the initiative aligns closely with the Hub’s work to support local authorities in developing and delivering ambitious energy projects, while ensuring communities are at the heart of the transition.

Local authorities are often the closest point of contact between government and communities, yet they are increasingly being asked to lead on complex and sometimes sensitive issues without sufficient support.

At the same time, misinformation and declining trust can make discussions around clean energy more challenging.

The Energy Champions programme addresses this by promoting a shift away from traditional “tick-box” consultation towards genuine dialogue and shared ownership, helping to build trust and stronger outcomes for local projects.