Building Together: Highlights from the Final Event of Citizen-led renovation Phase II

On 19 November 2025, Brussels became the meeting point for communities, experts, and policymakers committed to advancing citizen-led renovation across Europe. The "Building together" event of CLR Phase II was a celebration of progress, a candid look at challenges, and a launchpad for the next phase of this movement.

Expanding Impact Across Europe

Phase II marked a significant expansion for CLR. The support service reached dozens of communities—pilots, learners, and followers—offering tailored technical, legal, financial, and communication guidance. This hands-on approach empowered local actors to overcome barriers and build lasting capacity for collective renovation. The event made clear that CLR is moving from isolated pilots to a robust, interconnected network, ready for large-scale replication in Phase III.

Lessons Learned and Challenges Ahead

Discussions in several sessions revealed that while citizen-led renovation is gaining momentum, communities still face complex technical, legal, financial, and social barriers. Diverse building types, a shortage of trusted service providers, and fragmented legal frameworks often complicate renovation projects. High upfront costs and unstable funding mechanisms remain significant obstacles, and engaging citizens beyond the “early adopters” requires ongoing effort and trust-building.

Yet, these challenges are also opportunities. CLR’s flexible, community-driven approach is uniquely positioned to deliver tailored solutions, foster local ownership, and build resilient networks for Europe’s energy transition.

What Works: Success Stories and Tools

Throughout Phase II, communities benefited from practical tools—renovation handbooks, outreach materials, financial templates, and technical guides—co-created with local actors to address real needs. Capacity-building workshops, peer exchanges, and mentoring strengthened local skills and organisational capacity. The role of SPOCs (Single Points of Contact) proved crucial in building trust and ensuring effective coordination.

Community stories from across Europe brought these achievements to life. From innovative financing in Italy to inclusive engagement in Hungary and professionalised outreach in Belgium, the CLR model's diversity and adaptability were on full display.

Looking Forward: Policy and Support

The event concluded with a call for stronger policy integration, legal clarity, and stable financial support for communities. Recognising CLR as a key driver in EU and national renovation strategies, updating legal frameworks, and developing accessible funding mechanisms are essential steps for the future. Strengthening collaboration with One-Stop-Shops and existing support structures will help streamline processes and maximise impact.

The Path to Phase III

As CLR enters its next phase, the focus shifts to scaling up through support networks, policy advocacy, and the creation of lasting structures. The message from Brussels was clear: citizens are ready to lead Europe’s renovation wave—provided they have the proper support, recognition, and resources.