At the 31st Annual Award Ceremony, held on 8 July 2026 at the Library of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU), ZEZ was presented with the Annual “Hrvoje Požar” Award in the category of Energy Popularization. We are proud to receive one of the most prestigious recognitions in the Croatian energy sector, awarded by the Hrvoje Požar Foundation of the Croatian Energy Society.
This award is a recognition of more than twelve years of our continuous efforts to bring energy topics closer to citizens, local communities, craftspeople, entrepreneurs and public institutions. Throughout this period, we have developed and delivered educational programs such as “solar literacy”, workshops and webinars; published expert materials; led public awareness campaigns; contributed to policy discussions; and implemented practical projects that help citizens better understand the energy system and actively participate in the energy transition. We continue to build energy literacy and strengthen public trust in citizen-led energy.
Energy Popularization at the Core of ZEZ’s Work
What makes our work unique is our ability to translate complex technical, regulatory, and financial topics into language that everyone can understand. Through practical examples, we demonstrate how renewable energy, energy communities and local energy production can lead to lower energy costs, greater energy security, more resilient communities and a fairer energy transition.
Since our establishment, more than 16,000 citizens have taken part in ZEZ activities across over 40 cities and municipalities throughout Croatia. During 2025 and the first half of 2026 alone, we informed and empowered more than 2,200 citizens through in-person educational events, our “Solar Info Sessions” webinar series, the “Together” roadshow, trade fairs and local outreach activities. Our programs covered topics ranging from how solar power systems work and what self-consumption means, to understanding electricity bills, available financial incentives, navigating administrative procedures, learning about energy communities, and why energy sharing is the next important step. This approach to energy popularization goes beyond providing information, it gives people the confidence to make informed decisions.
Making Energy Transition Understandable, Inclusive and Fair – Together
Upon receiving the award, ZEZ’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Martina Balja, said:
“This award is a great honor and a confirmation that the energy transition can be built differently – together with citizens. We were among the first organizations in Croatia to systematically promote topics that are now at the heart of both European and national energy policy, including citizen energy, energy communities, collective investment, energy sharing, energy solidarity and tackling energy poverty. For more than a decade, we have shown that the energy transition is not reserved for large investors and experts alone. Citizens, local communities, and small businesses all have an active role to play. This recognition encourages us to continue developing models where citizens are not only energy consumers but also producers and co-owners of renewable energy projects.”
ZEZ’s distinctive contribution lies in connecting topics that are often treated separately: solar power, citizen ownership, energy communities, energy sharing, energy poverty, local development, community resilience and climate responsibility. It is precisely this ability to combine the technical, social and communication aspects of energy that makes our work worthy of this recognition.
Every day, we demonstrate what we mean when we say, “energy in the hands of citizens.” We show that education can lead to investment, that public engagement can lead to the creation of energy communities, that rooftop solar projects can strengthen local resilience and that renewable energy can become a vehicle for solidarity, not merely another market commodity.
The “Hrvoje Požar” Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the development of the energy sector, climate protection, innovation, efficient energy management, and the popularization of energy. It is regarded as one of the highest professional honors in Croatia’s energy sector.
Photo credits: Croatian Energy Society (HED)
