Day 1: Tuesday, 20 May

Often founded in historically different contexts and based on different needs, energy community coalitions and federations are diverse, but by building the capacity of local initiatives, advocating for better enabling frameworks on the national level or providing access to finance, they are appearing crucial in supporting energy community projects till their completion. This session will highlight the different roles coalitions can play to strengthen energy communities from financing, capacity building to advocacy and explore the experience of best practices.

The workshop aims to provide the participants with the necessary tools and materials on starting or further developing a cooperative One Stop Shop for citizen-led renovation. Main contributions for the workshop are drawn from the OSR-Coop Project and its replication toolkit, including an e-learning course and takeaways from its mentoring programme.

Looking for the right funding to launch or expand your energy community? This session will explore concrete financing opportunities tailored to both new and experienced energy communities. We’ll dive into key funding sources, including the Energy Communities Facility, the LIFE & Horizon Programmes, the Western Balkans Support Initiative and Interreg. Whether you're just starting or looking to scale up, join us to discover the best financial tools to power your project!

This workshop explores inclusivity and gender in energy communities. We’ll put the spotlight on inspiring success stories while delving into the challenges faced along the way. This session will unpack lessons learned, highlight innovative approaches to creating inclusive spaces, and foster an open dialogue on overcoming barriers. Together, we’ll explore pathways to ensure equitable participation and representation in driving a just and collaborative energy transition.

This session will explore heating and cooling decarbonisation by energy communities, zooming in on the exciting developments in the Netherlands. It will delve into its opportunities, challenges, the wide array of energy sources, such as waste heat, geothermal, aquathermal and solar thermal energy and available technologies for district heating such as heat exchangers, heat pumps, heating and cooling grid, is every house suited? , role of local authorities, ...

In this engaging 90-minute session, we will explore concrete project ideas submitted by REScoop.eu members, tailored to specific funding programs. This is your chance to hear innovative proposals, connect with project leaders, and spark collaboration for future initiatives. A practical networking opportunity to turn ideas into partnerships and build the foundation for impactful project proposals. Don’t miss the chance to forge meaningful connections and shape the future of cooperative energy!

How to set up a strong administrative foundation at the start of a project to keep financial auditors happy. Learn how to effectively track your project budget, monitor spending pace, and avoid financial pitfalls down the line.