GOPA COM.

Their core work

GOPA COM. is a Brussels-based strategic communications consultancy specializing in citizen engagement, co-creation processes, and dissemination for EU-funded energy and urban innovation projects. They help technical consortia communicate with the public, design participatory governance models, and ensure project results reach non-specialist audiences. Their work bridges the gap between complex energy and smart city technologies and the communities that need to adopt them.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2016-2018, GOPA COM. focused on broad urban governance, smart city integration, and citizen participation frameworks — working on inclusive data platforms and low-energy district upscaling. By 2018-2024, the focus sharpened toward specific energy technologies and user behaviour: solar thermal, distributed PV, bi-directional EV charging, and peer-to-peer energy transactions. This signals a move from general smart city communication toward deeper engagement with the technical substance of the energy transition.

Moving from broad urban communication toward specialized engagement work around decentralized energy systems and community energy models — a valuable niche as energy communities become a EU policy priority.

How they like to work

GOPA COM. exclusively participates as a partner, never as coordinator, which is typical for a communications firm embedded in large technical consortia. With 112 unique partners across 20 countries from just 4 projects, they operate in very large consortia and bring a wide, non-repeated network. This makes them an easy-to-integrate partner who adds communication capacity without competing for technical leadership.

Remarkably broad network of 112 unique partners across 20 countries from only 4 projects, indicating participation in large-scale Innovation Actions and CSAs with pan-European reach. Brussels base positions them well as a connector between EU institutions and project consortia.

What sets them apart

GOPA COM. fills a specific role that many technical consortia need but few do well: translating complex energy and urban innovation into citizen-facing communication and participatory processes. Their Brussels location, combined with experience in both Innovation Actions and CSAs, means they understand both the EU institutional environment and on-the-ground community engagement. For consortium builders, they offer a proven communication partner who won't overlap with technical work packages.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SPARCs
  Largest funding share (EUR 756K) and most technically specific project, covering solar thermal, geothermal, distributed PV, and peer-to-peer energy transactions in zero-carbon communities.
• SMARTER TOGETHER
  Flagship smart city project (EUR 582K) covering governance, data platforms, e-mobility, and district heating across multiple European cities — strong visibility project.