"I was motivated to join this workshop because the energy sector is undergoing rapid changes. As a Senior Officer for Energy Efficiency Policies, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to align structural reforms with long-term sustainability and economic efficiency. With rising global pressure to design policies that meet both environmental and economic goals, I felt a strong urgency to strengthen our policy frameworks. This workshop presented a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of not only the technical but also the economic and social dimensions of reforms in the energy sector. It exceeded my expectations, offering a well-rounded mix of theoretical insights, practical tools, and methodologies that I can immediately apply to ongoing reform projects in our country.

One of the most impactful components of the workshop was the reform proposal exercise using the 11-elements approach. It provided a structured framework that helped me consider all critical facets—technical, economic, and political—when crafting reform proposals. This methodology encouraged a comprehensive analysis of policy options, taking into account financial, social, and environmental dimensions. For us at the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Kosovo, this is crucial. We aim to develop policies that are not only technically sound but also sustainable and broadly accepted by our stakeholders.

As the course progressed, I found myself growing increasingly confident in applying the Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) methodology for structural reform measures. The step-by-step breakdown presented during the workshop gave me a clear understanding of how to assess proposed reforms in terms of their economic, social, and environmental impacts.

Equally valuable was the structured group discussion on carbon pricing, EU derogations, and the broader challenges of implementation. These topics are central to the energy transition, and being able to explore them in a collaborative environment with participants from across Europe was incredibly enlightening. We discussed the practical difficulties of implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, particularly given the diverse political and economic contexts across the region. The insights into EU derogations and the flexibility they offer within regulatory frameworks helped me gain a more nuanced understanding of what’s possible when tailoring reforms to different national realities.

A standout element of the workshop was the opportunity to learn from peers from a wide range of countries and professional backgrounds. The diversity of experiences in the room enriched our discussions and opened my eyes to new approaches. Hearing how others are tackling similar reform challenges gave me valuable ideas to consider for our own context. Some solutions were directly applicable to my work, while others sparked fresh thinking on how to address systemic issues in more creative ways.

For all these reasons, I would wholeheartedly recommend this workshop to my colleagues. It offers a comprehensive, practical approach to managing energy sector reforms, combining theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. The collaborative and interactive format—from hands-on group exercises to case studies—makes learning both engaging and directly applicable to our day-to-day work. Beyond that, the chance to network with professionals from different countries and learn from their experiences was extremely valuable. Whether you are directly involved in the energy sector or working in related policy fields, the insights gained from this workshop are highly practical and impactful."