During a meeting of the "Green Deal Going Local" working group ECR Member Tjisse Stelpstra remarked that the Green Deal is not only about countries, regions, cities and villages, but "it is also about citizens". To accompany them on the green transition it is important for citizens to know what's in it for them. "They must be given hope by focusing on pragmatic and achievable goals", highlighted Mr Stelsptra.

For Mr Stelpstra, who also serves as regional minister of the province of Drenthe in the Netherlands, an important first step is "empowering citizens to think greener". This he says can be achieved through smart communications campaigns with "clear, locally targeted and inspirational messages" that showcase success stories. Examples, he said, could include "innovation in schools, green transport for citizens such as modern rail transport, and investing in the circular economy".

The ECR member provided his province of Drenthe as an example where they are exploring the idea of energy neutral housing together with companies and house owners. Finding solutions to such ideas are best sought when you join forces and "look together for practical solutions", urged the regional minister.

The 'Green Deal Going Local' working group is an initiative of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) that aims at placing cities and regions at the core of the European Green Deal and ensuring that both the EU's sustainable growth strategy and the COVID-19 recovery plan translate into direct funding for cities and regions and tangible projects for every territory.

​Mr Tjisse Stelpstra was the CoR rapporteur for the opinion on the New Circular Economy Action Plan.