On 4^th December 2024, a virtual workshop for serious games was held, encompassing participants from both Malaysia and Indonesia in Southeast Asia. This workshop was the first regional event organized under the RENEW SEA project, a key initiative aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of energy-related issues across 3 Southeast Asian nations: Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

The main objective of the workshop was to foster meaningful dialogue among local government officials and stakeholders from these countries, with a particular emphasis on the potential role of serious games as a tool for collaboration and engagement in energy discussions. The regional workshop not only facilitated a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives but also underscored the importance of enhancing engagement and cooperation among local governments in the region.

Participants included local energy representatives from various subnational governments, particularly from networking cities in Malaysia, such as HTJ and Malake Energy, as well as attendees from Yogyakarta, Indonesia. In total, the workshop brought together 34 participants: 24 representatives from Hang Tuah Jaya and Malake Energy and 10 participants from Yogyakarta, creating vibrant local stakeholders actively involved in energy management and policy formulation.

During the session, participants engaged in collaborative discussions that explored a range of topics related to energy technologies. The format encouraged an atmosphere of open dialogue, allowing for an exchange of knowledge and experiences that were crucial for devising future initiatives. Key areas of discussion included the implementation and benefits of renewable energy (RE) sources, strategies for enhancing energy efficiency, and the development of relevant policies that support sustainable energy practices. By diving deeply into these critical subjects, participants could formulate and share actionable strategies that would promote the advancement and integration of renewable energy (RE) solutions at the local level.

The regional workshop successfully fostered dialogue among participants and encouraged the engagement between local authorities to create effective communication channels regarding energy issues. As a result of this event, attendees collectively committed to enhancing collaboration on renewable energy (RE) initiatives. This collaboration aims to better equip cities and regions to address the challenges and complexities of sustainable development amidst evolving energy landscapes.

Building on the insights gained from this event, we will conduct a regional workshop for Thailand soon, with the expectation that this message will also reach local governments in the country.