"Citizen-Led Renovation" Newsletter Issues

Editorial: Citizen-led Renovation Newsletter, First Issue, 09/23 (11/09/2023)

Welcome to the Citizen-led Renovation Newsletter!

Empowering Communities: Six Pilot Projects Selected (23/09/2024)

The Open Call targeted established and prospective energy communities, inviting citizen groups, local authorities, NGOs, and other organisations to lead renovation projects. Among the many applications, six pilots have been chosen for Phase II of the support service for Citizen-led renovation.

Empowering Communities: 15 Learners Selected for the Citizen-Led Renovation Initiative (23/09/2024)

Fifteen Learners have been selected to participate in Phase II of the support service for Citizen-led renovation. These Learners are working to implement the Citizen-led Renovation concept but represent less developed initiatives or those with more limited resources.

Empowering Communities: 38 Followers Selected (23/09/2024)

In the spring of 2024, the support service for Citizen-led Renovation launched a call to support established and prospective energy communities in leading energy renovation projects. Pathway 3 (Followers) includes 38 followers who are at an early stage of their Citizen-led renovation journey but demonstrate a clear interest in this area

Triple SEC: Phibsboro Village SEC Hosts Informative Retrofitting Walk (23/09/2024)

Phibsboro Village SEC, part of Triple SEC, recently organised an insightful retrofitting walk, showcasing practical energy-saving measures in the community. The event began with a tour of a typical red brick house, where Dr Gerry Wardell, a founding member of Phibsboro Village SEC, shared his personal experiences with home energy retrofitting.

Renovation Efforts by Izgrei Energy Community (23/09/2024)

The Izgrei Energy Community, founded in 2021, has made significant strides in its mission to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy in Bulgaria with the help of the support service for Citizen-led renovation. Izgrei’s first pilot project near Plovdiv, Bulgaria, included the installation of solar panels and minor renovations to a single-family house.

Announcing the Selection of Pilots for Citizen-led renovation: Spotlight on Castello Green House (23/09/2024)

Castello Green House from the Emilia Romagna region in Italy is a cooperative focused on mutual benefits, aiming for environmental, economic, and social gains for its members and local communities. It promotes eco-friendly and participatory renewable energy sources (RES).

Announcing the Selection of Pilots for Citizen-led renovation: Spotlight on Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile di Antrodoco (23/09/2024)

Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile di Antrodoco, from the Lazio region, aims to deliver environmental, economic, and social benefits through renewable energy projects. They support pilot projects to enhance renewable energy usage.

Announcing the Selection of Pilots for Citizen-led renovation: Spotlight on Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile di Postua e Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile di Guardabosone (23/09/2024)

The Renewable Energy Community (REC) of Postua and Guardabosone, both from the Piedmont region in Italy, is forming to improve energy efficiency (EE) in 15 residential buildings, including 5 families experiencing energy poverty.

Announcing the Selection of Pilots for Citizen-led renovation: Spotlight on Diputació de Girona (23/09/2024)

The Girona Provincial Council, through its Environmental Service, is dedicated to promoting energy transition, renewable energy, and efficiency enhancement across the province. They aim to foster the participation of the five different energy communities they have supported.

Announcing the Selection of Pilots for Citizen-led renovation: Spotlight on ZuidtrAnt (23/09/2024)

ZuidtrAnt has been actively involved in numerous projects, including solar roofs, school initiatives, renovation coaching, battery storage, and energy-positive circular hubs. Their current project, Burenwerf, focuses on the renovation of residential buildings in close collaboration with local municipalities.

Announcing the Selection of Pilots for Citizen-led renovation: Spotlight on Wohnungseigentümergemeinschaft der Liegenschaft 1020 Wien Ybbsstraße 6 (23/09/2024)

The project aims to renovate a residential complex consisting of 31 apartments. The planned interventions include comprehensive renovation work and the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels. It has a projected budget of €591,000 for upgrading the heating systems and an additional €830,887 for insulation.

oPEN Living Lab Pamplona Completes the BIPV Roof Installation (23/09/2024)

This newly installed photovoltaic roof generates 60 kWp of renewable energy by utilising all available roof space, even in suboptimal orientations. This achievement required a meticulous design process, optimising string configuration and inverter selection.

Join the Follower Islands Programme: A New Call from the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat as Part of the "30 for 2030" Initiatives (23/09/2024)

The Clean energy for EU islands secretariat is excited to announce a new opportunity for islands: the Follower Islands programme. This call invites islands to apply and take part in the ambitious "30 for 2030" initiative to fast forward their decarbonisation plans and learn from the 30 pioneering islands.

European Week of Regions and Cities (07/10/2024)

The European Week of Regions and Cities is an annual four-day event during which cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement the European Union Cohesion Policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance.

Citizen-Led Sustainability: Integrating Social Science into Energy Community and Building Initiatives (10/10/2024)

This event will delve into the vital role of social science in fostering sustainable energy communities and buildings, showcasing innovative approaches and tools developed through Horizon H2020 and Horizon Europe projects and Citizen-led renovation perspectives.

Smart Cities Marketplace Webinar on Private Sector Finance for Smart Cities (15/10/2024)

This event will equip you with practical knowledge and strategies for enhancing your city's development through private financing.

Atelier Webinar E-mobility in the transformation towards energy neutral cities (17/10/2024)

ATELIER is organising a webinar on the topic of e-mobility and its role in the transition towards energy neutral cities. In this webinar they will present the challenge of e-mobility (EV) integration in a local energy system.

CLR: EURegionsWeek close to you webinar (21/10/2024)

The Support service for citizen-led renovation projects is collaborating with the EU-funded LIFE Programme project RENOVERTY to organise a EURegionsWeek close to you webinar.

World Sustainable Energy Days 2025 (05/03/2025)

The 2025 World Sustainable Energy Days will show how to realise the high policy ambitions and how to strengthen the clean energy markets.

Editorial CLR (05/12/2023)

Dear Citizen-led renovation community,

Empowering Communities: Six Pilot Projects Selected (23/07/2024)

The Open Call concluded on 17 June 2024, and we are proud to announce the selection of six pilot projects for Phase II. These pilots will receive comprehensive support in project development, implementation, and replication, providing a blueprint for other communities to follow.

Announcing the Selection of Pilots for Citizen-led renovation: Spotlight on Wohnungseigentümergemeinschaft der Liegenschaft 1020 Wien Ybbsstraße 6 (23/07/2024)

The project aims to renovate a residential complex consisting of 31 apartments. The planned interventions include comprehensive renovation work and the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels.

Announcing the Selection of Pilots for Citizen-led renovation: Spotlight on Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile di Antrodoco (23/07/2024)

Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile di Antrodoco, from the Lazio region, founded in 2019 in Antrodoco, Italy, aims to deliver environmental, economic, and social benefits through renewable energy projects. They support pilot projects to enhance renewable energy usage.

Announcing the Selection of Pilots for Citizen-led renovation: Spotlight on ZuidtrAnt (23/07/2024)

ZuidtrAnt has been actively involved in numerous projects, including solar roofs, school initiatives, renovation coaching, battery storage, and energy-positive circular hubs. Their current project, Burenwerf, focuses on the renovation of residential buildings in close collaboration with local municipalities.

Announcing the Selection of Pilots for Citizen-led renovation: Spotlight on Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile di Postua e Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile di Guardabosone (23/07/2024)

The Renewable Energy Community (REC) of Postua and Guardabosone, both from the Piedmont region in Italy, is forming to improve energy efficiency (EE) in 15 residential buildings, including 5 families experiencing energy poverty.

Announcing the Selection of Pilots for Citizen-led renovation: Spotlight on Castello Green House (23/07/2024)

Castello Green House from the Emilia Romagna region in Italy is a cooperative focused on mutual benefits, aiming for environmental, economic, and social gains for its members and local communities. It promotes eco-friendly and participatory renewable energy sources (RES).

Announcing the Selection of Pilots for Citizen-led renovation: Spotlight on Diputació de Girona (23/07/2024)

The Girona Provincial Council, through its Environmental Service, is dedicated to promoting energy transition, renewable energy, and efficiency enhancement across the province. Their application aims to foster the participation of the five different energy communities they have supported.

Enablers Board – Second Meeting of High-Level Members (24/07/2024)

On 07 May 2024, the Enablers Board of the support service for Citizen-led renovation received the progress reports from the four pilot communities at its second meeting and exchanged on their specific challenges.

Citizen-led renovation Participating in the 5th Annual Political Dialogue - Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition (22/07/2024)

James Roscoe, representing the support service for Citizen-led renovation, participated in a panel discussion titled "Combatting Energy Poverty in Coal+ Regions through Energy Efficiency of Buildings and Citizen Empowerment."

Empowering Citizens through Renovation - Insights from the EUSEW Session (23/07/2024)

The recent EUSEW session on "support services for Citizen-led renovation" moderated by Stefan Scheuer from the support service for citizen-led renovation projects focused on the significant role of citizens and local communities in accelerating energy renovations, which are essential for meeting the EU’s climate and energy targets.

Enhancing Citizen Engagement: Insights from IEECP's Workshop on Energy Communities (23/07/2024)

The workshop helped participants learn more about how to engage neighbors in energy community activities and different ways to involve fellow citizens. It also focused on engagement strategies targeting different generations.

Pilot Triple SEC goes Stoneybatter Festival with a Cosybatter Walk & Talk Tour (23/07/2024)

The 2-hour tour provided practical, real-world examples of energy efficiency improvements, making the information accessible and actionable for attendees. The participants were guided by members from Triple SEC.

Let’s Talk About Energy Use (25/07/2024)

Energy security is considered to be a critical part of the energy transition and ensures that we have a diverse range of energy sources, whilst reducing our reliance on oil, gas and coal. But do you know where the energy you use comes from?

metaCCAZE Design Activities: Tailoring Mobility Solutions to City-Specific Needs (23/07/2024)

Projects often fail to deliver effective solutions due to a lack of specificity and grounding in real problems and needs. To address this, metaCCAZE has developed an innovative approach to tailor each project’s final output to the specific needs of participating cities.

MOBILITIES FOR EU Joins Forces at Cities Mission Conference in Valencia (23/07/2024)

MOBILITIES FOR EU played a significant role throughout the conference, sharing a booth with its sister project, metaCCAZE. This shared space not only highlights the collaborative spirit of these initiatives but also provides a platform to present their innovative solutions and strategies for sustainable urban transport.

Missed the Smart Cities Marketplace Webinar on Technical Assistance? (23/07/2024)

The recent Smart Cities Marketplace (SCM) webinar provided invaluable insights for EU cities looking to leverage technical assistance facilities for smart, sustainable and inclusive development

European Week of Regions and Cities (07/10/2024)

The European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek) is the biggest annual Brussels-based event dedicated to cohesion policy.

World Sustainable Energy Days 2024 (05/03/2025)

The 2024 World Sustainable Energy Days will show how to realise the high policy ambitions and how to strengthen the clean energy markets.

Apply to our Open Call (10/05/2024)

Are you member of an Energy Community or eager to found one? Register to our Open Call for free tailored support for Energy Communities. We want to empower you and your efforts in renovation and clean energy generation. You will become part of our network of Energy Communities and profit from their experience!

Guidance on the Open Call Application Process (10/05/2024)

Do you need some more guidance on the application process? Find all information in our guidance documents explaining how to apply for our Open Call. The document is available in 20 languages!

Recording: Informative Webinar on the Open Call Application Process (08/05/2024)

To provide further insights into the Citizen-led renovation concept and offer a thorough overview of the support provided under the three distinct pathways mentioned above, we hosted an informative webinar for all interested stakeholders.

Informative webinar on the Open Call Application Process (14/05/2024)

To provide further insights into the Citizen-led renovation concept and offer a thorough overview of the support offered under the three distinct pathways mentioned above, we are hosting informative webinars. You can ask questions and learn about experiences directly from a phase I pilot project representative.

EUSEW: Citizen-led initiatives for renovation (12/06/2024)

Our primary goal in this policy session is to explore the potential of citizen led renovation in empowering citizens and communities to accelerate energy renovations as a key component in achieving the EU’s climate and energy targets.

Join our Open Call! (04/03/2024)

Together with Phase II of the Citizen-led renovation initiative, we are launching an Open Call for all Energy Communities in the EU! Through this call, you are provided with technical assistance and capacity building by our experts. Apply now for professional support.

EUSEW: Citizen-led Renovation Leading the Way for Residential Renovation Actions (11/04/2024)

The CLR Team is organising a policy conference session at this year's EUSEW in Brussels, in coordination with the LIFE project BE REEL.

Become Part of Our Community! (05/03/2024)

We extend an invitation to both established and emerging Energy Communities across the EU to engage in Phase II of the Citizen-led renovation support service.

Citizen-led renovation workshop series: Workshop #1 Overcoming Barriers and Challenges (10/04/2024)

This workshop is a great opportunity to learn about our Open Call! It will tackle barriers and challenges faced by organisations and energy communities. Through interactive activities and discussions, we aim to find collaborative solutions to overcome them.

Successful Participation in World Sustainable Energy Days Conference (20/03/2024)

The recent World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) conference in Wels, Austria proved to be an encouraging gathering for stakeholders committed to sustainable energy solutions.

Citizen-Led Energy Initiative in Bulgaria Recognised by Deutsche Welle for Innovative Work (14/02/2024)

In a recent article published by Deutsche Welle, the pioneering efforts of a grassroots energy project in Bulgaria have garnered attention for their significant impact on clean energy production.

Local Success Stories Illuminate Path to Sustainable Energy: Turn Solar into Savings Webinar Recap (14/02/2024)

Local communities in Cabra, Cosybatter and Phibsboro Village recently came together for a webinar titled "Turn Solar into Savings." Hosted by the Irish pilot of the Citizen-led renovation initiative Triple SEC, Connecting Cabra, Cosybatter, & Phibsboro Village Climate Club SEC.

KLAR! Project Supporting Climate Adaption in Austria (20/03/2024)

A recent report is revealing key insights from the KLAR! project shedding light on notable developments in sustainable urban planning. Central to the project's success was the emphasis on citizen engagement. Involving and engaging citizens from the project's outset led to increased acceptance.

RECAH Releases Best Practice Reports and Guidance Documents for Rural Energy Communities (20/03/2024)

As part of the RECAH project, technical experts have produced a series of guidance documents aimed at supporting individuals and groups interested in establishing and managing rural energy communities.

Climate Congress Mechelen / Klimaatcongres Mechelen (26/04/2024)

The conference focuses on cooperation and the formation of coalitions, using various sessions and workshops. The CLR will present the Open Call to join the Citizen-led renovation programme during the conference in style of a PetchaKutcha presentation.

The Green Vision Summit & Expo (30/04/2024)

The Green Vision Summit & Expo stands out from typical conferences. It serves as a platform that integrates interactive and creative sessions, uniting individuals who take action, sustainability experts, and their solutions with decision-makers.

Informative Webinar on the Support Service and Application Process (14/05/2024)

We are offering an informative webinar on 14th May 4-5pm CEST, where we will delve into the Citizen-led renovation concept, and provide a thorough overview of the support provided within the Call.

Clean energy for EU islands forum (14/05/2024)

Discover the transformative potential of clean energy on EU islands at the Clean energy for EU Islands Forum 2024. Taking place in Pantelleria, Italy, this forum embodies the theme "The power of islands: building resilience through renewables."

European Sustainable Energy Week 2024 (11/06/2024)

This year, EUSEW comprises a high-level Policy Conference, the EUSEW Awards, and the fifth European Youth Energy Day as well as the Energy Fair.

EUSEW Session: Citizen-led Renovation Leading the Way for Residential Renovation Actions (12/06/2024)

The CLR Team is organising a policy conference session at this year's EUSEW in Brussels in coordination with the LIFE project BE REEL!

What is Citizen-led Renovation (11/09/2023)

Introduction

Contact us! (11/09/2023)

citizen-led-renovation@steinbeis-europa.de

Activities of the Citizen-led renovation pilot communities (05/12/2023)

Since the start of the support service in September this year, our pilot communities have been very busy:

The Citizen-led Renovation Exchange Platform is live! (05/12/2023)

Our goal is to transform living spaces into homes that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also energy-efficient and eco-friendly at the same time. Who says you can’t have it all? We want to create a space where ideas, experiences but also tips and tricks from like-minded experts can be shared and exchanged, from installing solar panels to improving insulation, and witnessing the positive environmental but also financial impact these changes can have!

Final events of the Energy Communities Repository and the Regional Energy Community Advisory Hub (05/12/2023)

The Citizen-led renovation initiative attended the final events of Energy Communities Repository (ECR) and the Regional Energy Community Advisory Hub (RECAH) in Dublin, Ireland. Both projects shared their insights and learnings at the end of the project period.

15th Citizens' Energy Forum: Moving towards a people-centred energy system (05/12/2023)

The Citizen-led renovation Initiative attended the 15th Citizens' Energy Forum organised by the European Commission and moderated a breakout session.

New rules to boost energy performance of buildings across the EU (11/12/2023)

On 7th december, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on a strengthened Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), supporting the EU's efforts to reduce the emissions and energy use of buildings across the EU.

EU islands secretariat: The Journey Begins 30 Renewable Islands for 2030 - Ready, Set, 30! (05/12/2023)

The EU islands' call for applications of interest for 30 renewable islands for 2030 has concluded, and the EU islands secretariat is thrilled to announce the selection of 30 islands and island groups from 10 European countries ready to lead the way towards a sustainable future.

oPEN Lab: Views from the oPEN Living Lab Genk (05/12/2023)

In this video, the oPEN Living Lab Genk team showcases the progress they’ve made over the past six months. This video highlights their search for 8 test dwellings in the garden city of Waterschei in Genk. From postcards and parties to home visits and info sessions: this video will show you that no efforts were spared to inform, inspire and convince homeowners in Watershei to join the oPEN Lab project and renovate their homes in energy efficient ways. But that’s not all, you’ll also get a sneak preview into the very first test dwelling to participate! Vasso, the first homeowner of an oPEN Lab test dwelling in Waterschei, will tell you everything about her motivation to participate and her hopes and wishes for the future.

Smart Cities Marketplace: Watch now - Urban Insights Episode 1 (05/12/2023)

In this short video Georg Houben, Project Officer of DG ENER and responsible for the Smart Cities Marketplace, discusses the urgency of addressing climate change, particularly in Europe, where the EU Green Deal aims to make the continent climate-neutral by 2050. Various packages, such as the Fit for 55 package, outline specific targets for reducing carbon emissions by 2030. Now, the focus is on translating these ambitious goals into action at the city level.

Joint final conference of the Rural Energy Community Advisory Hub (RECAH) and the Energy Communities Repository (ECR) (10/11/2023)

On a joint closing conference, the ECR and the RECAH discuss the main outcomes of these initiatives with energy community practitioners and provide, one more time, a platform for exchange with fellow communities and other experts on the subject.

Meet our Pilots! (11/09/2023)

After actively reaching out to 600 initiatives and going through an extensive round of evaluation and selection of the 14 applications, based on criteria jointly defined by the Citizen-led renovation consortium, 4 Pilot Initiatives were chosen to be supported by our consortium in their endeavour to put citizens in the driver’s seat of renovation projects. Learn more about each one of them:

Save the Date - 15th Citizens' Energy Forum (09/11/2023)

The Citizens' Energy Forum meets on an annual basis and aims to explore consumers' perspective and role in a competitive, 'smart', energy-efficient and fair energy retail market. As such, the forum serves to structure the debate and channel consumers', regulators' and industry's view on the energy market and its future, directly feeding into the work of the European Commission in the energy and consumer policy areas.

Key take aways: Citizen Engagement - Accelerate the Clean Energy Transition (11/09/2023)

With a particular emphasis on citizen engagement, affordable housing, energy efficiency, and digitalisation, this webinar as part of the EUSEW Sustainable Energy Days served as a platform for exchanging ideas and forging partnerships to shape the future of urban environments.

Covenant of Mayors Investment Forum (25/10/2023)

Join the 2023 edition of the Covenant of Mayors Investment Forum - Energy Efficiency Finance Market Place that will take place in Brussels, jointly organised by the European Commission’s Directorates-Generals for Energy and Climate Action and the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) in collaboration with the Covenant of Mayors.

oPEN Lab: Sessions on Engaging Local Communities and Green Finance (11/09/2023)

oPEN Lab is a EU-funded project with 32 partners from 7 countries collaborating to revitalise urban areas across Europe to lead the transition to Positive Energy Neighbourhoods. Over the duration of 4.5 years, oPEN Lab will focus on identifying and demonstrating replicable, commercially viable solution packages enabling to achieve positive energy buildings and neighbourhoods.

Building resilience into Irish homes (11/09/2023)

Citizen-led renovation pilot Triple SEC and Policy Officer Julien Tami took the stage at the Retrofitting Ireland event in Limerick

Smart Cities Marketplace Presentations (11/09/2023)

The Smart Cities Marketplace and its partners are presenting at the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels and the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona

Call for application of interest for 30 renewable energy islands (11/09/2023)

The Clean energy for EU islands secretariat, an initiative of the European Commission, is the central platform for the clean energy transition of the more than 2,200 inhabited European islands. Despite having access to renewable sources of energy, such as wind and wave energy, many of them depend on expensive fossil fuel imports for their energy supply.