PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
This project responds to growing levels of energy poverty across the EU, especially in the CEE region, by addressing the poor energy efficiency of buildings as a major driver of energy poverty, and as a driver of climate change; 75% of the building stock in the EU is inefficient with buildings responsible for 36% of GHG emissions. ComActivate will be implemented in three municipalities in three countries: Burgas in Bulgaria, Józsefváros in Hungary and Kaišiadorys in Lithuania. These countries represent different regions of CEE with differing sets of constraints, yet each country has a similar history, geography, climate, and operational constraints to their neighbouring cluster of countries, aiding regional replication. Multi-Family Apartment Buildings (MFABs) have been chosen as around 60% of people in CEE live in MFABs, and the social, technical, legislative, and financial challenges to MFAB renovation are complex and undefined, especially when it comes to renewable energies. ComActive will develop, demonstrate and advocate solutions for MFABs that reduce energy poverty, enhance energy security, and bring building emissions in line with climate targets (near complete decarbonisation by 2050) through:
- Institutionalisation of Resource Centres (RCs) at the local level as a recognised mechanism to reach energy poor communities and facilitate agreement in Home Owner Associations (HOAs);
- Development of Neighbourhood Energy Sufficiency Roadmaps (NESRs) to address the complexities of renewable energies for MFABs and determine how energy needs can be secured in line with poverty alleviation and climate neutrality;
- Building the capacity of HOA managers for the implementation of renovations, and raising awareness of communities to dispel concerns about the benefits of renovations; and
- Public-private policy and investment dialogue at the national and EU level to enable the sustainability of RCs and the implementation of NESRs.