C4E Forum 2025 – people who made the difference

Policy, practice, and people driving energy efficiency

The second day of the Central and Eastern European Energy Efficiency Forum (C4E Forum 2025) delivered a packed agenda of 14 panel discussions. Decision-makers, public officials, business leaders, NGOs, and technical experts discussed the current landscape, key challenges, and actionable solutions for scaling up building renovations and decarbonisation across the region.

Celebrating leadership: the C4E Champion Award

The day concluded with the C4E Champion Award Ceremony, which honours exceptional public and elected local officials who have made significant contributions to advancing energy efficiency policy in their country or region. Held biennially by the Forum’s organisers, the award recognises leadership, innovation, and impact in public service.

This year’s edition recognised seven national champions, each representing a different country in Central and Eastern Europe. One laureate was further distinguished as the regional champion, reflecting an exemplary level of influence and dedication across borders.

For her dedication to well-founded energy efficiency policies, her long civil service career, and her expertise on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the 2025 Central and Eastern European Regional Award went to Anca Ginavar of the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration in Romania.

Receiving the Romanian jury award, Ginavar said the award was not only for her, but also for her small and dynamic team. She described it as an incentive not to give up, noting the challenges ahead and the importance of reconstruction funding that can improve life for Romanian citizens through better building stock.

Voices from the local champions

• Todor Popov, Head of the Directorate “Administration, Legal, and Information Services”, Gabrovo Municipality, Bulgaria, said the award recognised the work being done and the opportunity to receive such an important honour.
• Irena Kriż-Šelendić, Director for Energy Efficiency in the Buildings Sector at Croatia’s Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets, said renovated hospitals, schools, and buildings are the greatest award.
• Nathalie Marková, Director of the Energy Efficiency and Savings Department at the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, described the award as an appreciation of cooperation between the public and business sectors.
• Tamás Csoknyai, Head of Department and Associate Professor at Budapest University of Technology and Economics, said the award was real feedback on the hard work behind energy efficiency in Hungary.
• Dorota Zawadzka-Stepniak, President of the Managing Board of the Polish National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, was represented by Marta Babicz, who emphasised sustainable solutions and building a sustainable future.
• Juraj Moravčík, General Director of the Slovak Environment Agency, said the award recognised the work of his team.

Knowledge Hub 2025: a marketplace of ideas

This year’s edition also featured the interactive Knowledge Hub, a dedicated space for showcasing innovative projects and case studies. The poster session highlighted grassroots initiatives, EU-funded projects, and local solutions tackling deep retrofits, sustainable cooling, regulatory reform, and historic building renovation.

Attendees could also explore the CINEA stand to learn more about funding and technical support opportunities under the European Commission’s LIFE Clean Energy Transition programme. With more than a dozen EU-funded initiatives on display, including EPBD.wise, CoolLIFE, and Renov-AID, the Knowledge Hub supported informal exchanges that complemented the formal sessions and encouraged collaboration across sectors.