From March 4-7, the city of Wels in Upper Austria became a global hub for energy innovation, policy dialogue, and sustainable development as it hosted the World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) 2025. Among the international participants was Young European Ambassador (YEA) Stefan Atanasovski Trajkovic, whose commitment to climate action and energy transition made this a timely and impactful experience.
Since its inception in 1992, the conference, organized by the Energy Agency of Upper Austria, has grown into one of Europe’s flagship gatherings on clean energy. It brings together experts from science, policy, and industry to explore the future of energy systems. For Stefan, who focuses on environment and climate within the YEA initiative, the event was a valuable opportunity to deepen connections between youth engagement and Europe’s energy transition.
“As a YEA focused on environment and climate, WSED gave me insights that directly contribute to our long-term initiative Your Energy, Your Power, particularly in understanding the barriers to energy transition advocacy,” Stefan shared.
One of the key themes discussed was the energy community model- an approach gaining traction across Europe and particularly in Upper Austria. Stefan noted that this aligns closely with his work on promoting local energy communities, which empower citizens to become active players in the energy system. Backed by citizen education and subsidies, such models are transforming the way communities engage with energy.
The event also featured thematic conferences on biomass (Pellet Conference) and e-mobility, two rapidly evolving areas in Europe’s green transition. Representatives from the European Commission’s DG Energy emphasized that while biomass still plays a role, the continent’s energy future lies in the scaling-up of solar (PVs) and wind energy. This, Stefan observed, reaffirmed the direction his team has taken ensuring alignment with the EU’s Green Agenda.
Another pressing issue raised was Europe’s dependency on fossil fuels and its need to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). While China currently leads the global EV market with more affordable options, Europe must step up its efforts to ensure competitive pricing and infrastructure development for wider EV uptake.
Beyond the sessions and panels, Stefan took the opportunity to discuss potential collaborations, proposing stronger ties between the WSED platform and the WeBalkans initiative, especially in engaging young people in STEM and scientific advocacy. He highlighted the YEAs’ dynamic online presence and suggested that future conferences could benefit from expanded youth participation and digital engagement to increase visibility and impact.
With new insights, connections, and ideas in hand, Stefan returns ready to continue shaping the region’s energy future, empowered by European best practices and a growing community of changemakers working for a greener tomorrow.
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