As part of the “Women of Good Energy” project implemented by RES Foundation, during May and June, seminars were held in 4 cities (Užice, Kragujevac, Kraljevo and Niš) with the aim of empowering and educating women employed in public institutions in those cities. The seminars pointed out the importance of energy efficiency in public buildings, and the importance of involving all employees in these processes. Special emphasis at the seminars was made on the previously conducted research in the aforementioned 4 cities on the roles, needs and attitudes of women users of public buildings, in terms of energy efficiency, energy and resource saving.
The research showed, and the seminars confirmed, that among women employed in public institutions there is a great interest in saving energy and implementing energy efficiency measures. In addition to this, the research clearly indicated the differences in thermal comfort needs between women and men, and the fact that women care more about resources. Women are more interested in savings, both for thermal comfort and for savings in household budgets, environmental protection and the health and safety of the entire family.
Seminar participants from all 4 cities pointed out that such seminars are extremely important for improving knowledge and raising awareness in these areas, which apparently do not have much in common, and that the participation of women from different sectors and the exchange of experience between them is an added value.
Bearing in mind the fact that more than 70% of women are employed in the public sector in the field of social protection, education and health in Serbia, who are also the users of public buildings in these sectors, it was especially emphasized that the rehabilitation of these buildings, and the planning of measures energy efficiency, it is necessary to include the needs of users of these facilities in a timely manner.
