The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group in the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) will next week hold its fifth annual Localism Summit in Lappeenranta in Finland. ECR CoR Treasurer and Councillor in Lappeenranta, Ilpo Heltimoinen, will be the host for this year's edition.

The event will convene conservative and reformist politicians from all over Europe as well as industry experts and academics to discuss sustainable growth through a just energy transition. 

In the first panel, politicians and experts will discuss the advantages and challenges of the rollout of smart and sustainable mobility in cities. Panellists will exchange views on current mobilisation issues and how cities and municipalities can share costs and expertise to further improve these issues without placing extra burdens on citizens and businesses already faced with a cost-of-living crisis.

The second panel will focus on innovative and green solutions for a carbon-neutral Europe and how local and regional governments can work together to share knowledge and develop new technologies to stay ahead of the current economic backlash as well as environmental, and geopolitical changes. Politicians and experts alike will exchange on innovative solutions that can provide the EU and its regions with a secure energy supply and energy independence.

Young conservative politicians from Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and Finland are also invited to give an insight into their perspective on the just energy transition.

The event will take place on 12 May at the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT).