Stories from Berlin & Brandenburg

After coming together in Berlin to learn and practice community reporting with all our project partners, we took these methods into the field to collect real-life energy stories. In Berlin and Brandenburg, we spoke to local residents, municipal workers, and international participants during a series of activities, from a sustainability job-shadowing session to a game jam in Luckau. The message was clear: energy costs are hitting hard. Many people shared how rising bills, especially combined with high rents in Berlin, are forcing them to rethink everyday habits, like using less heating or cutting down on cooking. At the same time, these choices are often linked to growing environmental awareness and a desire to reduce one’s own impact.

Later, we came together as a group to dive deeper into these local stories. During a sensemaking workshop at the CRN office, we collectively analysed the recorded interviews and reflected on what we had observed while speaking with people in our own communities. The discussions highlighted common challenges: high and unpredictable energy costs, lack of transparency from suppliers, and difficulties linked to older, inefficient buildings. Nonetheless, participants pointed to the importance of awareness, community support, and better access to information. Across the board, there was a clear call for more transparency, improved housing conditions, and a faster shift to renewable energy. Or, as one participant put it: “We need more energy democracy.” If you’d like to see the results of such discussions and dive deeper, the videos are available here when scrolling down.