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OSR-Coop Project at the EPAH Conference, October 2024
Blog post by Heleen Schockaert
The OSR-Coop Project took part in the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) Conference in October 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, organised by the EU’s Directorate-General for Energy. This year marked the conference’s 4th edition, themed "Turning the Tide: Paving the Way for Energy Poverty Alleviation”. REScoop.eu and the OSR Coop Project were represented by Heleen Schockaert, Project Manager at REScoop.eu, in a workshop discussing the crucial role of One Stop Shops (OSS) and Citizen-led Renovation (CLR) in addressing energy poverty. The workshop highlighted how citizen ownership and energy communities drive successful cooperative renovation activities and heating & cooling (H&C) projects while addressing energy poverty by engaging vulnerable households.
The workshop started with presentations from selected projects, including Cross RenoHome, ReHabita, CondoReno, EASIER, BIRTUOSS and OSR-Coop. Each presentation demonstrated the importance of non-profit and citizen-led approaches, with panelists reflecting on how such alternative approaches can help meet energy and societal goals while prioritising energy vulnerable households. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the impact of the EU’s “FitFor55” package on citizen ownership in renovation and heating & cooling (H&C) strategies. The role of energy communities was emphasized in helping achieve Zero-Energy Buildings (ZEB) by directly connecting the renovation efforts across Europe with local communities and citizens.
The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), and the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), were critical for promoting the inclusion of energy communities in district heating and cooling and energy-saving measures. The importance of end-to-end renovation services offered by energy communities through OSS was also emphasised as a crucial factor in facilitating inclusive renovations. Energent, a Belgian energy community and OSR-Coop partner, was highlighted as a successful example of a neighborhood-based model for group purchasing and comprehensive renovation support, demonstrating cost-effectiveness and scalability in engaging local communities.
The breakout sessions focused on two main challenges: engaging energy-poor households through OSS and financing renovation projects with a mix of private, national, and local funds. Participants discussed strategies to tackle communication barriers and build trust among citizens, emphasizing the importance of engaging vulnerable groups of citizens through tailored services. Other points of the discussion were on how to engage citizens and clearly communicate the benefits of renovation, such as energy savings, and the ways of how to involve vulnerable households without stigmatising them. The Athens' Energy Portal was cited as a successful model where savings from municipal building renovations are redirected to support low-income households.
The workshop wrapped up with a focus on scaling and adapting OSS and citizen-led renovation initiatives across different regions and municipalities. One of the main concluding remarks was that energy communities play a unique role in creating trust, building local capacity, and driving renovation projects that are inclusive and tailored to the needs of the most vulnerable households. As Europe moves forward with new strategies like the EU Action Plan for Affordable Energy Prices and the European Affordable Housing Plan, there will be more opportunities to expand these community-driven approaches. By leveraging local engagement and flexible financing models, CLR and H&C projects can contribute to achieving EU’s goals and ensuring no household is left behind.
