Empowering Communities: 38 Followers Selected

In spring of 2024, the support service for Citizen-led Renovation (CLR) has launched a call to support established and prospective energy communities in leading energy renovation projects. Pathway 3 (Followers) includes 38 followers which are at an early stage of their Citizen-led renovation journey but demonstrate a clear interest in this area. Many applications for the three pathways of Pilots, Learners and Followers have been received since and the selection process has now been completed. We are pleased to announce the Followers chosen for Phase II of the CLR below.

The communities, ranging from universities and municipalities to NGOs and local action groups, are engaged in a diverse array of energy renovation projects. From improving energy efficiency in public and private buildings to establishing renewable energy communities, these projects represent a wide spectrum of innovation and local action in the energy transition.

By working together, the followers aim to share knowledge, scale their efforts, and inspire further citizen-led initiatives across the continent.

Queen’s University Belfast (United Kingdom)

The Queen’s Communities and Place initiative collaborates with communities, policymakers, and academics to address social housing insulation and pollution issues in inner-city Belfast. The project includes a co-created geothermal demonstrator project, leveraging dormant district heating infrastructure and local geothermal energy potential.

Municipality of Kalavrita (Greece)

Kalavrita’s energy renovation projects aim to improve energy efficiency in hotels, homes, and public buildings through insulation upgrades, modern HVAC systems, smart controls, and renewable energy installations like solar panels and geothermal systems.

Friends of the Earth Cyprus, Center for Social Innovation (Cyprus)

This project focuses on energy renovations in Cyprus, emphasising roof insulation, high-performance windows, energy-efficient doors, advanced HVAC systems, and smart lighting. The goal is to overcome financial constraints and build organisational and technical knowledge.

Pozo Energy (Spain)

Pozo Energy aims to implement energy efficiency and photovoltaic projects in Pozo Izquierdo, Gran Canaria. The project includes energy-efficient devices, LED lighting, and smart meters, with plans for a self-consumption solar PV installation in the second phase.

Strovolos Municipality (Cyprus)

Strovolos Municipality plans to renovate municipal buildings to achieve nearly zero energy consumption, incorporating renewable energy sources like photovoltaic systems and geothermal energy. The project also aims to create an energy community and develop a co-shaped business model.

Carlow Town Sustainable Energy Community (Ireland)

Carlow Town SEC is finalising an Energy Master Plan to analyse current energy usage and carbon emissions. The plan includes energy audits, community engagement, and a Register of Opportunities for future projects.

SAMSEC - Sandymount & Merrion Sustainable Energy Community (Ireland)

SAMSEC aims to make Sandymount a low carbon community by providing information support, advising citizens on energy efficiency, and removing barriers to government assistance.

Ipsonas Municipality (Cyprus)

Ipsonas Municipality plans to establish an info point on energy efficiency and renovate municipal buildings with roof and wall insulation, renewable installations, and HVAC system upgrades. The goal is to involve citizens and promote positive practices.

Association for Belica Community Development (North Macedonia)

This community-driven organisation focuses on sustainable development in Belica village. The project includes energy-efficient renovations for community building lodges, expanding photovoltaic systems, and installing inverter air conditioners.

Renewable Energy Community (REC) “Energie d’Alta Quota” (Italy)

The project aims to revitalise municipally owned social housing by implementing energy-efficient measures, including insulation improvements, energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy sources, and smart control systems.

Valencia Climate and Energy Foundation (Spain)

Valencia aims to establish new energy communities and support existing ones in implementing PV plants and renovation initiatives through collaboration and feasibility studies.

Local Action Group “SAVA” (Croatia)

This group collaborates on the Renoverty project to create guidelines for energy renovation in rural areas. The plan includes installing a solar power plant at a home for neglected children and encouraging solar installations on public buildings.

Energy Community Pallars Jussà (Spain)

This community-led initiative focuses on energy renovations in rural Catalonia, targeting insulation and window replacements in old buildings. The project aims to provide knowledge and means for energy renovations.

Municipality of Pioraco (Italy)

Pioraco plans to couple rebuilding projects with energy efficiency objectives, focusing on external neighbourhoods for PV installations. The project seeks to learn about legislative aspects, engage citizens, and identify funding opportunities.

Le Mouline Rouge (France)

This organisation aims to generate renewable energy and share it among residents of an old water mill. The project includes renovating buildings with roof insulation, double glased windows, ventilation systems, and heat pumps.

CER - Savignano Irpino (Italy)

Savignano Irpino is establishing an energy community to involve citizens in energy efficiency initiatives. The project aims to raise awareness and identify funding for renovation projects.

PTCE Coup Demain Val d’Adour et Armagnac (France)

This cooperation committee aims to create a territorial catalyst for shared solutions in the Pays du Val d’Adour. The project involves energy efficiency measures and renewable energy sources for professional and residential buildings.

Balbriggan Sustainable Energy Community CLG (Ireland)

Balbriggan SEC focuses on renovating two community buildings, with plans to implement energy efficiency improvements identified in energy audits. The project aims to understand citizen needs and explore cost-effective aggregation of projects.

Aradippou Municipality (Cyprus)

Aradippou aims to create Cyprus’s first sustainable neighborhood, focusing on reducing energy demand and producing solar energy. The project includes renovating public and heritage buildings and empowering citizens and stakeholders.

Mengibar City Council (Spain)

Mengibar is working on energy efficiency in public buildings and supporting private installations. The project includes renewable energy installations and the creation of energy communities.

Municipality of Ascó (Spain)

Ascó aims to facilitate building renovations through a local energy community. The project addresses sectoral coordination, regulatory development, public and private funding, and energy poverty.

Comunidad Energética Local “Salto del Calderón” (Spain)

This energy community in Extremadura focuses on photovoltaic and small hydro projects. The project aims to evaluate feasibility and identify funding opportunities for future initiatives.

SUNRISE - Association for Sustainable Social and Economic Development (North Macedonia)

SUNRISE aims to reduce energy consumption and produce renewable energy locally. The project focuses on decreasing energy poverty and implementing solar and wind energy solutions.

Viver Telheiras Association - Telheiras Renewable Energy Community (Portugal)

This community-driven initiative promotes sustainable energy practices in Telheiras and Lumiar. The project includes building facade insulation, rooftop renovations, and removing hazardous materials like asbestos.

Collectif pour un Tiers-Lieu Gaillacois (France)

This project aims to renovate an old nursery building into a community hub focused on solidarity, culture, and ecological transition. The initiative includes insulation, new windows, a decarbonised heating system, and renewable energy technologies.

Associazione Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile San Potito Sannitico (Italy)

San Potito Sannitico’s project involves integrating photovoltaic systems on rooftops and exploring innovative heat pump solutions. The initiative aims to assess technical and economic feasibility and identify funding opportunities.

Wicklow Town Team Sustainable Energy Community (Ireland)

Wicklow Town SEC aims to improve community spaces and engage members to replicate energy efficiency measures in their homes. The project includes renovating the De La Salle Pastoral Centre and other community facilities.

South Poland Cleantech Cluster (Poland)

This one-stop shop for energy renovations aims to create an ecosystem involving all relevant parties. The project focuses on assisting homeowners with heat pumps, PV, solar thermal systems, and small wind turbines.

Sustainable Energy Innovations bv (Belgium)

This group of renewable energy experts plans a pilot project for thermal heating and cooling with renewable energy and heat pumps. The initiative seeks a small grant for research and a loan for implementation.

Vallevignale (Italy)

The Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile Vallevignale focuses on local energy generation, renewable energy capacity building, and job creation. The project includes thermal insulation, gas boiler replacement, and e-charging station installation.

Housing Cooperative (Sweden)

The Housing Cooperative plans to install solar panels on non-residential buildings and assess energy audit outcomes for residential buildings. The project aims to achieve significant energy savings and expand solar installations.

Bessarion (Greece)

Bessarion’s project involves renovating offices and integrating a small solar park. The initiative aims to promote sustainable development through innovative technological solutions in agriculture, renewable energy, and rural connectivity.

CER Green Campolattaro (Italy)

This energy community aims to engage citizens in positive energy use and tackle energy poverty. The project includes renovating non-residential buildings owned by the municipality and evaluating economic and social aspects.

Energy Center of the Usti Region (Czech Republic)

The Energy Center aims to optimise energy efficiency and consumption in public buildings and increase renewable energy utilisation. The project includes installing photovoltaic systems and promoting decentralised energy solutions.

Envirup Limited (United Kingdom)

Envirup has developed a new external insulation system for homes. The project focuses on passive energy efficiency measures and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, with support for technology selection and savings calculations.

Comunidad Energética de la Alpujarra (Spain)

This energy community plans to renovate family houses with energy-efficient appliances and insulation upgrades. The project includes installing solar PV systems and optimising energy consumption based on local renewable energy production.

Municipality of Pignataro Interamna (Italy)

Pignataro Interamna aims to implement energy renovations and install PV panels through an energy community. The project focuses on building knowledge for energy community implementation and conducting energy efficiency.

By joining the Citizen-led Renovation initiative, communities across Europe have the opportunity to become part of a transformative movement that puts citizens at the forefront of the energy transition.

Despite the Call being closed, communities, local authorities, NGOs, and citizen groups still have the chance to get involved and become part of the CLR network. Learn more about the opportunities the network has to offer and take a step towards a more sustainable future.

Find out about the six selected Pilots here.

Learn more about the Learners here.