We're proud to announce the launch of Arec Reno (Agro Reno Empower Collective) - a new LIFE-funded project that brings together 12 partners from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, and Ireland. © Angers/Podéliha – 2022 (Energiesprong FR)  Together, we’re taking district-wide home retrofit to the next level. How? By facilitating collective buy-in-schemes and improving market conditions for biobased deep renovation, powered by tools and models to enhance supply and demand. Ultimately, pilot projects activated in four countries will test the deployment of our strategy in real life. Building on the Energiesprong approach, and aligned with other LIFE projects such as Street HP Reno, Cosme Reno, and Reno Tides, the project will pilot large-scale renovation models that combine bio-based materials, inclusive workforce development, and innovative financing schemes.   Over the coming three years, four pilot sites in Italy, Ireland, France, and Germany will demonstrate new ways of scaling energy-efficient retrofits - aiming to complete at least 88 homes upgraded to net-zero energy standards. Arec Reno focuses on three domains of change Demand-side activation: simplifying renovation through standardised retrofit packages, One Stop Shop catalogues, online platforms, and demonstration roadshows to inspire collective homeowner action. Supply-side cooperation: equipping SMEs with the tools and training to work more collaboratively at a neighborhood scale and attract a more inclusive and skilled workforce. SMEs are encouraged to work with local, biobased materials and adopt circular practices. Market conditions: scaling up district-wide renovation using a diverse and innovative financing toolbox filled with financial instruments, such as Community Land Trusts, citizen crowdfunding, circular business models and energy performance guarantees.    To tie these domains together, the project will use gamification to engage new audiences and encourage active participation in the renovation process.   A collective step forward for climate-neutral living By combining bio- and agro-based materials, inclusive workforce development, and smarter financing, Arec Reno aims to make deep renovation faster, fairer, and more affordable. The project will establish four collective buy-in schemes embedding these innovations in four European countries - laying the groundwork for large-scale climate-neutral housing across Europe.   Project duration: 2025-2028 Countries involved: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, and Ireland Funding: Co-funded by the EU LIFE Programme

Across Europe, millions of households still face the reality of cold homes and rising energy bills. The Energy Poverty Zero (EP0)  programme – co-funded by the EU LIFE initiative – is tackling this challenge head-on. Its mission: to end energy poverty through collective renovation at neighbourhood level, bringing together residents, local authorities, social housing providers, and industry partners to deliver affordable, net zero-ready homes. EP0 focuses on three key action areas: Target neighbourhoods for renovation  development of a free, open-source tool for analysing the housing stock, making it easier to identify buildings suitable for industrialised renovation. Engage residents  through a five-step mobilisation process, with freely available tools to involve residents in a collective renovation approach. Explore group purchasing models  that make deep renovation more accessible through shared legal, financial, and technical frameworks. Together, these approaches transform vulnerable districts into resilient, low-carbon communities. To help replicate and scale these approaches, EP0 has published a practical new guide:  “10 Commandments of Collective Buying Schemes” This concise and insightful document distils lessons from pioneering collective retrofit projects across Europe – including People Powered Retrofit  in the UK, La Roue  in Belgium, and Energiesprong  projects in France and the Netherlands. It captures what truly makes collective renovation work in practice: Find the right people, not the perfect homes  – start with motivated early adopters. Secure local authority support  to build trust and ensure quality. Work in waves  – start small, then scale up. Align subsidies and financing  to make retrofits affordable. Support local contractors  to meet growing grouped demand. And above all: make retrofit engaging, social, and inspiring  – a community journey, not a technical exercise. The 10 Commandments conclude with a clear message: the future of renovation lies in strong local governance, standardised retrofit packages, and collaboration between citizens, authorities, and experts. When we treat renovation as a collective sport, we can accelerate progress – making deep, high-quality retrofits affordable and achievable for everyone. Read the full report: Download the “10 Commandments of Collective Buying Schemes” (PDF)

As Europe seeks to meet its climate and energy goals, transitioning to energy-efficient homes has become a critical step. However, for many households, the upfront costs of installing clean technologies like heat pumps remain a significant barrier. This is especially true for those in social housing, where energy poverty is a growing issue.   With LIFE Street HP Reno, we’re focusing on a street-wide approach to retrofitting homes with heat pumps. But with the growing interest in social leasing for clean technologies, we want to explore how this innovative model could further help make energy-efficient homes affordable for all.   What is social leasing of heat pumps? Social leasing is an innovative financing model that aims to make energy-efficient technologies accessible to everyone, particularly those in vulnerable financial situations. Under this model, households do not have to pay the full upfront cost for the installation of heat pumps. Instead, they lease the system for a monthly payment, similar to renting. This provides an affordable pathway to upgrading homes, reducing energy bills, and lowering carbon emissions without the financial burden of an initial large payment.   Through social leasing, the upfront installation cost is covered, often with subsidies or government support, and the household pays an affordable monthly fee. This model not only helps households reduce energy costs but also promotes sustainability by accelerating the adoption of renewable heating technologies across communities.   Why is social leasing crucial for social housing? For social housing tenants, affordability and sustainability often do not go hand-in-hand. Many households in social housing face energy bills that they struggle to pay, despite being in homes that are outdated and energy-inefficient. The installation of heat pumps, which provide sustainable, renewable heating, can help reduce energy costs. However, the high upfront cost of installing these systems can prevent residents from making the switch to greener, more affordable solutions.   Social leasing addresses this challenge by removing the upfront financial barrier and making energy-efficient home upgrades accessible to everyone, regardless of income level.   Proven success? France’s experience with social leasing of electric vehicles While the focus here is on heat pumps, we can look to France's experience with social leasing of electric vehicles as an example of how effective this model can be. The French government introduced a social leasing programme for electric vehicles, which encouraged nearly 50,000 households to make the switch to electric cars within a few months. The programme was so successful that it had to be stopped quickly due to the unexpectedly high demand, which impacted public finances.   This success demonstrates how social leasing can be a powerful tool in encouraging the adoption of sustainable technologies. By offering a model where the financial barrier is removed, households are more likely to adopt these technologies, leading to immediate savings on energy costs and lower emissions.   LIFE Street HP Reno: Bringing the concept to life At LIFE Street HP Reno, we understand that achieving widespread adoption of heat pumps and energy-efficient retrofits requires more than just technological innovation. It requires innovative financial models and scalable solutions that can be deployed across entire neighbourhoods, not just individual homes.   In our ongoing efforts, we are working with local authorities, housing associations, and communities to create a replicable model for street-by-street heat pump retrofits. This approach not only reduces energy bills but also creates a pathway for the social leasing model to flourish.   For example, in our pilot projects, we have explored ways to integrate affordable financing options, including concepts similar to social leasing, into the retrofit process. By providing residents with the ability to pay for energy-efficient upgrades over time, we reduce the upfront cost barrier and allow more households to benefit from lower energy bills and a more sustainable home.   This is part of our broader effort to demonstrate that, with the right financing mechanisms in place, we can scale these solutions to meet both the affordability and sustainability needs of social housing tenants.   The role of policy and government support For social leasing to thrive, strong policy support is essential. Governments must create frameworks that support subsidized or guaranteed leasing models and reduce the financial risk for providers. Public funding and targeted subsidies can help bridge the affordability gap, ensuring that energy-efficient home upgrades are not just for the wealthy or those able to afford hefty upfront payments.   The European Affordable Housing Plan is currently in the consultation phase, with a planned launch later this year. The consultation will help shape the plan, ensuring it addresses the diverse needs of social housing tenants across Europe. This is a key opportunity for social leasing models to gain support at the policy level, helping accelerate the transition to energy-efficient homes.   Looking ahead The integration of social leasing for heat pumps in social housing can be a game-changer in making homes both affordable and sustainable. At LIFE Street HP Reno, we are committed to showing that this model works in practice — and with the right policy support, it can be scaled to make a real difference across Europe.   As we continue our street-by-street retrofits, we’re exploring the integration of social leasing to ensure that every home, regardless of income, has access to sustainable heating that is both affordable and effective in reducing energy consumption.   To learn more about social leasing and how it can transform the energy efficiency of social housing, read the full publication from EHPA here

The UK’s Transform-ER project introduces practical tools to build collaboration, tackle challenges, and drive impact in retrofit projects. Cross-sector collaboration is key to catalysing home energy upgrades at scale. To address this, Energiesprong UK’s Transform-ER’ project is adopting an alliancing model – an approach where organisations share risks, rewards, and decision-making to drive down costs and improve delivery certainty. This model goes beyond contractual agreements; it demands cultural change that builds trust, aligns values, and sustains cooperation throughout complex projects. Placing collaboration at the heart of the retrofit revolution Transform-ER is a consortium of 13 industry experts with one mission: to create the systemic change needed to enable a retrofit industry that can deliver 1 million home energy upgrades every year by 2030. This included a focus on prototyping products and kits-of-parts and developing new digital pipeline assessment tools and finance mechanisms. At it’s core, Transform-ER recognizes that retrofit at scale requires fundamental cultural change. Years of combined experience have shown that technical solutions fail without strong partnerships, financial models collapse when organisations can't align interests, and projects stall without trust and shared purpose. Toolkit for nurturing collaboration To support this cultural transformation, Energiesprong UK developed a collaboration framework and toolkit for the Transform-ER project. This toolkit is now being shared more broadly to help other retrofit project teams navigate complexity, build trust, and adopt collaborative mindsets. The toolkit consists of two key parts: The Collaboration Framework : This outlines the key components of the approach, including insights from the team’s research. The Four-Phase Culture Change Approach : From initial alignment to ongoing cooperation, this approach offers practical tools to tackle key challenges at each stage. This toolkit views collaboration as a dynamic process that evolves over time, shaped by relationships and real-world pressures. It offers practical, adaptable tools for every project stage, helping teams build strong foundations, navigate tension, and sustain trust. Crucially, it makes visible the values, behaviors, and communication patterns that often determine whether true collaboration can emerge. Explore the toolkit Discover practical ways to build stronger collaboration, tackle challenges, and create lasting impact in your projects. ➡️ Download toolkit For more information on Transform-ER and the toolkit, visit: https://www.energiesprong.uk

How can small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) drive the future of energy-efficient renovations? Through our Cosme Reno project we seek to answer this pressing question. With the construction industry at a critical turning point—driven by climate goals, rising energy costs, and changing regulations—SMEs must innovate to stay competitive. Through in-depth expert interviews and a large-scale market survey across six European countries, this new report uncovers the motivations, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of SME-driven renovations. The findings reveal key innovation trends, the barriers holding companies back, and the strategies that forward-thinking SMEs are using to lead the way. Key findings from the report How SMEs are innovating SMEs are pioneering new ways to make renovations more efficient, affordable, and scalable. Many companies are integrating new energy systems, such as plug-and-play solar panels and smart HVAC technologies, into their projects. Others are prioritizing sustainable materials by conducting Life Cycle Analyses and experimenting with bio-based alternatives. Meanwhile, process innovations—including prefabrication, offsite construction, and increased automation—are improving efficiency and lowering costs. Together, these approaches have the potential to transform the industry and accelerate large-scale energy-efficient renovations across Europe.   What’s holding SMEs back? Despite these promising innovations, many SMEs face significant barriers that hinder progress. High upfront investment costs and long return-on-investment periods make innovation a risky endeavor. Rigid industry structures prevent new methods from taking root, as supply chains remain fragmented and collaboration models outdated. Additionally, many clients remain unfamiliar with innovative solutions like modular construction or bio-based materials, leading to low demand. Labor shortages further complicate matters, making it difficult to find workers with the technical expertise needed to implement new approaches.   Yet, the research identifies several key factors that help SMEs overcome these challenges. Companies that prioritize collaboration with suppliers, research institutions, and industry partners are more likely to innovate successfully. Embracing digital tools, automation, and data-driven decision-making also gives firms a competitive advantage. Finally, having visionary leadership with a long-term strategy plays a crucial role—many of the most innovative SMEs invest in research and development, pilot projects, or academic partnerships to stay ahead.   Interestingly, resistance to change or “commitment to the status quo” did not emerge as a major barrier. Instead, the findings suggest that financial constraints, regulatory inconsistencies, and a lack of market incentives are the real obstacles preventing SMEs from scaling up innovation. Why this matters more than ever The European Green Deal is pushing for faster, deeper energy-efficient renovations, but SMEs need the right conditions to succeed. The renovation sector is booming, yet many companies still rely on outdated, inefficient methods—not because they lack motivation, but because the conditions for innovation aren’t in place. Construction firms face high costs, inconsistent policies, and an industry structure that resists change. With growing demand for energy-efficient renovations, the time to rethink how SMEs innovate is now. To move forward, SMEs need better access to financing, as financial barriers remain a major bottleneck. Stronger incentives, subsidies, and funding programs could help small firms scale up their innovations. Collaboration will also play a critical role. SMEs that actively build partnerships with research institutions, universities, and innovation hubs gain a competitive edge. Additionally, streamlining certification processes and creating more consistent policies would help build trust in new technologies, making it easier for SMEs to enter the market with innovative solutions. What kind of SME are you? The report identifies three types of SMEs based on their approach to innovation: Leaders – The frontrunners These companies invest heavily in research and development, prioritize partnerships with universities, and see innovation as a strategic advantage rather than a risk. Adaptors – The cautious innovators Adaptors tend to experiment with new methods only when customer demand increases. They often attend industry events to gain insights but need external incentives to fully commit to innovation. Traditionalists – The risk-averse These firms prefer tried-and-tested methods and avoid large-scale investment in new technologies. Since customer demand is high, they see little need for innovation and continue using conventional construction methods. The findings suggest that adopting a Leader’s approach —prioritizing collaboration and R&D—could help SMEs future-proof their business models and remain competitive as the industry evolves. What’s Next? Practical steps for SMEs & Industry Leaders To stay ahead in an evolving market, SMEs should consider the following actions: Embrace digital transformation – Tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and AI-driven energy management can improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Seek out collaborative projects – Partnering with research institutions or participating in pilot projects can reduce the risks associated with innovation. Advocate for policy changes – Engaging with policymakers and industry groups can help push for better financial incentives and standardized regulations, making it easier for SMEs to innovate at scale. Read the full report & take action This research presents a roadmap for SMEs looking to thrive in the evolving construction landscape. If you’re looking for practical insights, data-driven findings, and strategies to accelerate your innovation efforts, this report is a must-read. D3.2 – Exploitation of results of the market survey

Join us at the Palais des Congrès in Liège (Belgium) for an international event dedicated to innovations in the retrofitting value chain : 2 days of event, with possibility to come only 1 of the 2 days: 19-20 November 2025. Bringing together professionals from the construction value chain — including architects, contractors, engineers, reused materials specialists, banks and industry leaders — this event will explore innovative approaches to help accelerating the retrofit rates. This summit follows the “Challenge de la Construction – Level 1” organised by GreenWin in 2023, which focused on the key (f)actors of inspiring renovation. The Retrofit Innovation Summit takes the conversation further: show the developed innovative solutions . Event language  The event language is English. Please note that an English–French translation service will be provided during the event Programme The full programme of the conference is  available here . Details Date:  November 19 & 20, 2025 Time:   From 8.30 am to 7.00 pm Location:   Palais des Congrès in Liège (Belgium) Register here 👉 Click to register

We’re not reinventing the wheel… well, almost.. Goodbye top-down formats. Time for collective intelligence, with a programme co-created with you: challenges to solve, topics that need unpacking — you’ll also be able to propose a contribution on your area of expertise, for this edition or the next ones. We’ll share more very soon. In the meantime, sign up! For whom: Everyone in the sector! Companies, local authorities, housing providers, institutions… Event language  The event language is French. Sign up Sign up for this conference here . Details Date:  November 27 Time:   14.00 - 17.30 pm Location:   Paris

Meeting point for the future of renovation – join us on the road to net zero! © Renovation Days 2024 - EDERA/Energiesprong IT From 26 to 28 November 2025, the Renovation Days return to Milan for their third edition — the go-to event for anyone shaping the future of building renovation and the journey toward a net zero built environment. Redefining renovation for a net zero future This year, Renovation Days Milan return with a bigger reach and greater ambition, bringing together an even larger and more international community of innovators, designers, policymakers, and housing professionals. For three days, Milan will be the meeting point for those driving the deep decarbonisation and industrial transformation of Europe’s building sector. Programme highlights: Policy and Scenarios — curated in collaboration with the Energiesprong Global Alliance Showcase of innovative technical solutions for public and private housing, including the INFINITE Project and Energiesprong Milano Technical training course by FACE Networking meeting with the European Façade Network Site visits to Milan's inspiring retrofit projects The network keeps growing! Renovation Days 2025 broadens its scope through collaboration among three leading institutions driving innovation in the built environment: EDERA – The innovation hub for the decarbonization and regeneration of the building sector, founded by Redo Sgr Società Benefit, ANCE, and Fondazione Housing Sociale. EDERA leads the Energiesprong initiative in Italy, fostering an innovative renovation market that cuts time, cost, and environmental impact. EFN – European Façade Network – A European community of experts in façade design, engineering, and construction. EFN promotes research, training, and collaboration across Europe, with Politecnico di Milano (ABC Department) actively involved in the organizing committee. Eurac Research – The applied research center from Bolzano, dedicated to accelerating the low-carbon transition. Eurac supports companies and industries in testing new energy technologies and coordinates key European projects such as H2020 INFINITE. The Renovation Days 2025 are organised in collaboration with INFINITE Building Renovation, LIFE Reno Tides , and Energiesprong Milano, with the support of REbuild. Join us for three days of ideas, innovation, and collaboration at the Renovation Days 2025. See you in Milan! 👉 Check the full programme and register

LIFE Renew-it kick-off meeting in Besançon, July 2025 Refreshing news for sunny days Before everyone drifts off toward sun-drenched holidays or cooler mountain air, let's take the opportunity to dive into some fresh, splashing news. It hasn’t been long since our last update, but the past few months have been packed with new energy – and we couldn’t wait until after the holidays to share what’s been happening. New Energiesprong projects and collaborations Across Europe, exciting new projects are kicking off, inspiring collaborations are taking shape, and our movement is gaining momentum at every level. From practical breakthroughs to bold ideas; there’s a lot to celebrate, and even more to build on. So grab a cold drink, kick back, and read the newsletter to see how pioneers across Europe are scaling up retrofit innovation.

Forty households have already signed up, and installations are on the horizon! In the Bavarian town of Neutraubling, the LIFE Street HP Reno project is turning community interest into concrete steps toward clean heating. What began as a well-attended information evening has evolved into a promising local pilot, with a growing number of residents participating in a collective heat pump initiative. A community sparked into motion Earlier this year, around 70 residents gathered at the Kulturhaus to learn more about their municipality’s heat planning and the potential role of heat pumps. Together with the city of Neutraubling, German project partners Shiftup and IWO presented the idea of a group purchase — a coordinated approach that could simplify the process and reduce costs for residents. Following this event, the city formally invited the Street HP Reno team to support the implementation phase. The interest was clear, and the collaboration quickly gained momentum. Local outreach with strong results As part of the municipality’s official heat planning programme, two follow-up events were organised: one aimed at residents and another at local businesses. The initiative reached far beyond the event spaces. Residents were informed through town hall displays, targeted direct mail, and an article in the local newspaper, which was delivered to all 3,000 households. Some attendees even promoted the initiative through their personal WhatsApp status updates, helping the message reach neighbours organically. To make it easy for interested households to take the next step, Shiftup launched an online registration platform. Within just a few weeks, forty households had signed up to join the group purchasing process. Installer selection underway With a solid base of interested participants, the focus has now shifted to selecting a qualified installer. IWO and Shiftup are currently meeting with potential providers. These include companies recommended by the municipality, suggestions from registered participants who already have experience with heat pumps, and contacts from manufacturers previously involved in the project. All offers will be carefully reviewed and compared to ensure a transparent and fair process for everyone involved. The installer is expected to be selected in early autumn, after which installations can begin. What's next and where else? Neutraubling is not the only town exploring this approach. Street HP Reno is also active in Wangen im Allgäu and Berlin, where new pilots are being prepared, including one led by the housing cooperative kliQ Berlin. In Wörrstadt, residents will be introduced to the concept this autumn, with the aim of launching another pilot there. The idea of coordinated, community-based renovation is clearly gaining traction across Germany. One neighbourhood at a time, the energy transition is becoming a local reality.

It was great to see you all again (or for the first time, welcome University of Bonn!) online. We discussed progress on our deliverables, according to Erac and by country, began thinking about the idea of an innovation parade and held the second working session of the Transnational Working Groups. Read more about the online Partner Days here! You can find the most important slides and other materials in the  Erac Teams environment .If you don't have acces to the Erac Teams environment, please contact  alyssa@bureaudoor.nl Team Energiesprong Global Alliance

As active participants in numerous EU projects, we often share updates on our progress and achievements. We work on projects in the field with passionate, content-driven people, which is super important. However, it’s equally crucial that these projects are coordinated effectively – a task that isn’t always easy with such passionate individuals. Understanding the daily lives of our partners can be challenging, even for us self-proclaimed “EU project-experts.” To bridge this gap and gain a better understanding of the role of a project coordinator, we asked the Housing Initiative for Eastern Europe (IWO), the project coordinator of LIFE Cosme Reno, to provide an honest glimpse into their workday.  While most retrofit projects now include energy assessments before and after implementation, the carbon impact of design choices is rarely considered. That’s a missed opportunity — and we’ve set out to change that. Introducing our simple carbon tracker tool: a lightweight, user-friendly solution that helps SMEs assess the carbon footprint of different retrofit design options before the work even begins. “ Leading the project is similar to the experience of parenting. You are responsible for everything; sometimes you need to encourage and sometimes be strict, but the most important is that you need to be there for the project and the partners ” – Karine Jegiazarjana, IWO Constitution and work packages Starting the project is similar to establishing a new state; you need a “Constitution” which is the Grant Agreement concluded between partners and the European Commission. And then you need your “legal system” and “rules of the game”, both settled in the Consortium Agreement between all partners. When it comes to the Consortium Agreement, the partners are in a similar situation as the EU Council when voting on Common Foreign and Security Policy – we need unanimity, everybody should agree.  If our project was a house, it would have five rooms called work packages (WPs).  In each “room,” living and working are organised separately. There are deliverables and milestones, which are basically tasks and goals, representing the “homework” to be completed in each room (aka work package or WP). As parents, we make sure the homework is done in each WP, and if it is not done on time, we bear the responsibility and excuse the respective partner in front of the “headmaster” – that is CINEA in our case. When the “homework” is done, we are responsible for checking it and handing it in. Being leaders, we want to make sure that this Cosme Reno house is actually also a home for all partners, where working in each “room” is safe and everyone feels good about doing their “homework”. As a lead partner, we may not have tasks in the WPs “de jure”, but we are there for our partners “de facto”. Like a good therapist, we listen. Like a solicitor, we provide our opinion. Like a friend, we can give advice and a hug when needed – even if we can only give a real hug during consortium meetings in person and thus just a few times during the project. We should defend the interests of each partner, while still acting in the project’s best interest. We need to be a “Lady Justice”, holding a sword, scales, and sometimes wearing a blindfold. To be impartial and fair. Leading the project can be like working in an ambulance; you will be called to treat a sore throat as well as a heart attack, and you need to be prepared for this. Any issue will come to you, and you either know how to solve it or have to develop the best skill, called “figure it out”. And at times, you will also have to accept that the help and support you can provide has certain limits. Cosme Reno For Cosme Reno, we went through so many changes, we changed the partner constellation several times, faced delays with signing the Grant Agreement, reconsidered different perspectives regarding the Consortium Agreement, and replaced the  coordination team at IWO. However, this feeling, when the project is progressing and all partners are committed to working toward the common goals, is absolutely worth the difficulties sometimes encountered. So what do project leaders actually do? Sometimes you may wonder: What do they (the project leaders) actually do? The answer is, we do everything so the partners can do their job in the best way. We jointly go through ups and downs with each of them and are ready to step in at any point when we are needed. Despite sometimes also having a hard time or being tired and struggling, we very much enjoy working with the partners and have never regretted becoming a project coordinator. The value and gain of meeting and working together with all of you, sharing expertise and experiences, and learning from each other is absolutely worth it. Interested to know more about project coordination (and much more…)? Get in touch with IWO !