Regional Energy Agency North participated in the international conference on inclusive tourism held in Moravske Toplice, Slovenia, where it presented the project Investing in Green and Just Transition for a New Sustainable Business as Usual Economy (BauNOW).
The international conference Inclusive Tourism as a Development and Investment Opportunity in the Danube took place on June 2–3, 2025, bringing together representatives from local communities, educational institutions, national policymakers, sectoral agencies, and businesses working on solutions in the field of mobility.
As part of the Project Marketplace programme, the project presentation included a pilot activity — the development of a virtual energy assistant (VIREAS), designed to provide citizens with tailored advice on energy renovation projects and the installation of renewable energy solutions.
The development of VIREAS is based on artificial intelligence technologies, enabling personalized guidance, energy consumption analysis, and recommendations adapted to the specific needs of users. The goal of VIREAS, soon to be launched by REA North, is to improve access to expert support and simplify decision-making related to energy efficiency and the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
VIREAS was developed as a result of REA North’s project pilot activity, Pilot 2.2 – New Generation of Support Info and Knowledge Points for Green and Just Transition.
The BauNOW project is co-financed by the EU Interreg Euro MED programme, aiming to strengthen the capacities of local governments and private stakeholders in designing and implementing new financing mechanisms to support the green and just transition (GJT) towards climate-neutral and resilient living environments.