PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
In response to EU directives on energy efficiency and the Renovation Wave strategy, RENOVA aims to support small and medium-sized public authorities in overcoming competence and organizational barriers to renovation by establishing a national network of local facilitation structures (local hubs) to accelerate public building renovation in Italy. The project will create and operate four pilot local hubs in Vicenza, Rome, Naples, and Brindisi, supported by a central hub. The central hub will provide comprehensive governance, mentoring, and quality assurance for the network, while developing and transferring standardized methodologies, digital tools for portfolio assessment, energy modelling, financial engineering, and procurement support to local hubs. Local hubs will deliver standardized, high-quality supportive services to public authorities, covering technical, legal, and financial aspects, and promote industrialized renovation solutions and Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs). The established national network of local hubs will engage 50 municipalities during the project, targeting renovation of 14 public buildings (residential, educational) to nZEB/ZEB standards, with potential to reach 1,835 buildings within 5 years post-project. The project will trigger 14.4 mEur investments during implementation, scaling to 2,000 mEur within 5 years. By leveraging industrialization, facilitating public procurement, and favouring private investments, RENOVA will contribute to the substantial decarbonization and transition to renewable energy in Italy, with replicable lessons for other EU countries.