I'm Attila Katona and I work for the Smart Cities and Mobility group at the Regional Environmental Center (REC). My qualifications include economics and environmental engineering from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. As an aspiring entrepreneur, I have a strong background in the implementation of cleantech innovations in both rural and urban context.
I met pioneers in the 2013 Innovation Festival and was convinced to accept the challenge and apply for the programme the year after. During PiP 2014 my domestic placement was at WWF Hungary, where I was focusing on the development of CEP-REC renewable energy strategy and climate adaptation issues of WWF's Hungarian partners. During my international placement, I was working for the City Council of Frankfurt am Main, Germany. In Frankfurt I assisted the Energy Agency in the Transition Cities innovation scheme and urban project bid preparations, leading to further green initiatives.
Although working for such a renowned NGO or well-established public agency can be challenging, I received a lot of support and willingness to cooperate from both organisations. Thanks to the openness of colleagues, I became familiar with the challenges and practices they face and gained invaluable experience in stakeholder analysis, transition management and urban development. The PiP programme also provided me countless opportunities to meet like-minded peers and low-carbon innovators, which I'm really grateful for. Gaining confidence and great connections is the real value of becoming a pioneer, even if it's hard to grasp or measure.