Enabling community action for energy sufficiency

Introduction

This project responds to growing levels of energy poverty across the EU, especially in the CEE region, by addressing the poor energy efficiency of buildings as a major driver of energy poverty and as a driver of climate change. Seventy-five percent of the building stock in the EU is inefficient, with buildings responsible for 36% of GHG emissions.

Project Implementation

ComActivate will be implemented in three municipalities in three countries:

1. Burgas in Bulgaria
2. Józsefváros in Hungary
3. Kaišiadorys in Lithuania

These countries represent different regions of CEE with differing sets of constraints. However, each country has a similar history, geography, climate, and operational constraints to their neighboring cluster of countries, aiding regional replication.

Target Group

Multi-Family Apartment Buildings (MFABs) have been chosen as around 60% of people in CEE live in MFABs. The social, technical, legislative, and financial challenges to MFAB renovation are complex and undefined, especially when it comes to renewable energies.

Objectives

ComActivate will develop, demonstrate, and advocate solutions for MFABs that:

• Reduce energy poverty
• Enhance energy security
• Bring building emissions in line with climate targets (near complete decarbonization by 2050)

Key Activities

The project will focus on the following key activities:

• Institutionalisation of Resource Centres (RCs) at the local level as a recognized mechanism to reach energy-poor communities and facilitate agreement in Home Owner Associations (HOAs).

• Development of Neighbourhood Energy Sufficiency Roadmaps (NESRs) to address the complexities of renewable energies for MFABs and determine how energy needs can be secured in line with poverty alleviation and climate neutrality.

• Building the capacity of HOA managers for the implementation of renovations, and raising awareness of communities to dispel concerns about the benefits of renovations.

• Public-private policy and investment dialogue at the national and EU level to enable the sustainability of RCs and the implementation of NESRs.