Webinar recap - Inclusive renovation: Reaching vulnerable groups and tackling energy poverty

Energy poverty remains one of Europe’s most pressing social challenges, and this Renovation dialogue webinar, organised by CLR, explored how inclusive building renovation can be a powerful solution. The discussion highlighted the European Commission’s legislative efforts and the urgent need for targeted measures to support vulnerable households, particularly in social housing.

The session showcased approaches from several EU-funded projects. MULTICARE introduced low-carbon, plug-and-play façade solutions designed for social housing, with pilots in Italy and Romania. These innovations promise rapid, minimally disruptive renovations while emphasising trust-building and resident awareness. CLR demonstrated how citizen-driven strategies, supported by tailored communication tools and energy personas, can engage hard-to-reach groups. Pilots in Belgium and Italy underscored the importance of local ecosystems and community trust. FORTISSY brought a human-centric perspective, focusing on energy-poor and elderly households. Its Portuguese pilot, in partnership with Just a Change, showed how deep engagement and co-creation can transform living conditions. SUPERSHINE explored financial models for large-scale renovations in Denmark, Italy, and Latvia, achieving significant reductions in energy costs and poverty indicators while developing a one-stop-shop platform for social housing associations. REHOUSE presented adaptable renovation packages using prefabricated, recyclable materials and renewable energy integration across sites in Greece, Italy, Hungary, and France, prioritising minimal disruption and local adaptability.

The webinar’s key takeaway was clear: inclusive renovation is not just about energy efficiency—it is about resilience and social justice. Success depends on trust-building, tailored communication, and genuine co-creation with residents. Financial innovation and scalable technical solutions are essential to accelerate progress, while tools and handbooks must be translated and adapted to local contexts to ensure accessibility and impact.

Looking ahead, these projects will continue to refine and share practical handbooks, digital tools, and one-stop-shop platforms, while deepening engagement with communities and stakeholders. This webinar provided actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community leaders committed to making Europe’s renovation wave a driver of equity and sustainability.