Citizen-led renovation - Followers Onboarding

The Support service for Citizen-led renovation hosted an engaging and informative onboarding event for its new followers. This event marked the beginning of a journey aimed at empowering energy communities across Europe to take charge of their energy renovation projects. The session was led by Jan Bormans from Th!nk E, the project leader, and featured contributions from various experts involved in the initiative.

The primary goal of the onboarding event was to introduce the new followers to the Citizen-led renovation project, its objectives, and the support available to them. The event aimed to:

1. Provide Context: Explain the background and purpose of the Citizen-led renovation initiative.
2. Outline the Program: Detail the structure of the followers’ pathway, including the Explore, Shape, and Act phases.
3. Facilitate Networking: Allow participants to meet and interact with each other, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
4. Identify Needs and Challenges: Gather insights from participants about their specific goals, challenges, and support needs.

The event began with a warm welcome from Jan Bormans, who provided an overview of the Citizen-led renovation project and its significance in addressing Europe’s energy transition challenges. Francesco Lecchi from Ricardo introduced the followers’ pathway, highlighting the available support mechanisms, including individual consultations, self-learning materials, and a vibrant community for peer-to-peer exchanges.

Participants were then divided into breakout rooms to discuss their motivations for joining the project and the challenges they foresee. These lively and insightful discussions revealed common themes such as the need for funding, community engagement, and navigating regulatory barriers.

The interactive session continued with a mentimeter activity, where participants ranked the importance and difficulty of various activities related to citizen-led renovation. This exercise provided valuable data on the areas where followers need the most support.

The event concluded with a look ahead to the next steps, including an upcoming webinar on 12 November featuring inspiring case studies from previous participants. A survey will also be sent out to gather more detailed information on the specific topics followers want to learn about.

Overall, the onboarding event was successful, setting a positive tone for the year ahead. It provided a clear roadmap for participants and reinforced the collaborative spirit essential for the success of the Citizen-led renovation initiative.

Watch the recording: