Shaping the future of Citizen-led renovation: Key Insights from the webinar

On 4 December 2025, stakeholders from across Europe gathered online for the “Shaping the future of the Citizen-led renovation” webinar, a CLR event highlighting the progress, challenges, and next steps for citizen-driven building renovation initiatives. The session was moderated by Stavros Spyridakos from the Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy, who guided participants through a comprehensive update on the Citizen-led renovation initiative.

Orestis Kouloulas, senior project expert from the CLR coordination team, presented an overview of the project’s evolution. Since its inception in 2023, CLR has supported more than 60 energy communities, moving from pilot projects in phase one to a broader network in phase two, with phase three set to scale up support through robust networks and enabling organisations.

Stavros Spyridakos emphasised the shift from top-down to bottom-up approaches, placing citizens in the driver’s seat. The session showcased the diversity of pilots across Europe, from Spain and Italy to Hungary, each addressing unique local challenges, whether legal, financial, technical, or social. The importance of co-design, community engagement, and tailored support was repeatedly emphasised.

Francesco Lecchi, energy and carbon policy expert at Ricardo, highlighted the development of practical tools, including renovation handbooks, technical guides, and persona-based outreach strategies. These resources are designed to help communities navigate complex renovation processes, access funding, and build trust among residents. Lecchi also introduced the soon-to-be-published CLR handbook, which will consolidate lessons learned and offer country-specific guidance, making it easier for new initiatives to replicate successful models.

Clemens Mayer, researcher at Joanneum Research, addressed barriers to large-scale replication, such as technological complexity, diverse building stock, regulatory gaps, and the need for stable governance and financing. Mayer also discussed opportunities for overcoming these challenges, including strengthening local capacity, fostering partnerships, and advocating for clearer legal recognition of citizen-led renovation in EU and national policies.

Looking ahead, Claudia Carani, project coordinator for CLR phase three and head of European projects at AESS (Agenzia per l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Sostenibile), outlined plans to expand the network of enabling organisations, enhance technical assistance, and integrate feedback into European policy development. Carani’s presentation underscored the importance of long-term support structures and the role of ambassadors in bridging the gap between communities and technical experts.

The session concluded with a call for continued collaboration, knowledge sharing, and active participation in shaping a more sustainable, citizen-driven future for Europe’s buildings.