As Europe races to meet its ambitious climate goals and rapidly deploy renewable energy, it is crucial to prioritize community engagement and equitable benefit sharing. Communities must be actively involved in the decision-making processes that affect their well-being and the environment around them. This means going beyond mere consultation and considering the diverse perspectives and concerns of local populations. Developers need to adopt transparent and inclusive approaches throughout the project lifecycle, from spatial planning to project design and implementation. By empowering communities through meaningful engagement and fair benefit-sharing mechanisms, we can overcome opposition and foster broad acceptance of renewable energy initiatives. This will not only accelerate the energy transition but also create social and economic benefits for communities and the environment.