Membership - REScoop

As we all know, the need for climate action has never been greater. The next few years will be crucial if we are to safeguard our future. This relates to the climate crisis just as much as to our democracy. We need to make radical changes in the way we use and produce energy. Citizens will be critical in achieving that transition, and energy communities are the best way we know to mobilise them.

Our mission is to support citizens, cooperatives and cities in driving a citizen-led energy transition. We do this through a range of services – some that are available to anyone who works in the area of the citizen-led energy transition – and some that are exclusively designed to support the work of our members.

The more we are, the stronger our voice will be, so thank you very much for being part of REScoop.eu and for helping us grow the community!

Membership benefits

EU representation & advocacy

REScoop.eu represents the interest of citizens and energy cooperatives in Brussels. We participate in the EU debates around the energy transition and related sectors, and make sure the perspective of citizens and cooperatives is heard and included in new policies and policy updates.

Members get access to our policy working group, where we share key EU documents and develop position papers. Our online platform and regular online meetings allow members to stay informed about the EU debate from an insider’s perspective, and get relevant insights for advancing the advocacy in their own countries. At the same time, REScoop.eu can ensure to share your story with EU decision-makers to inspire them further to support energy communities and cooperatives.

We also represent our members in a number of coalitions, like the Community Power Coalition, a diverse network of like-minded organisations who share a common goal of promoting the development of citizen and community ownership in the urgent transformation of our energy system.

Send an email to our advocacy advisor Josh Roberts if you are interested to join our policy working group.

Participation in EU projects

REScoop.eu regularly screens EU programmes – including Horizon 2020, Life, operating grants, Interreg – and identifies project opportunities for energy cooperatives. Members who want to bring forward a project proposal can be put in touch with other energy coops and organisations from within our network. Our team is well-experienced with EU projects and can guide you through the application procedure, including the eligibility criteria, how to build a strong consortium and work on a project concept or budget.

Write projectdevelopment@rescoop.eu for any question related to EU projects.

Networking

Members become part of a diverse, inspiring and dynamic network of energy cooperatives operating across Europe. This provides you with access to relevant trainings, workshops and events including our annual conference, which is often combined with a series of interactive workshops. Our events provide excellent networking opportunities and enable members to extend their professional network and find inspiration for their own cooperative. The biggest event is our European Energy Communities Forum that we combine with our Annual General Meeting in May.

E-car sharing and financing RES projects

REScoop.eu was part of the founding team for The Mobility Factory, a European cooperative society that facilitates contact between cooperatives that provide e-car sharing services (including a shared code for personalising your e-car sharing app). Your REScoop.eu membership gives you access to the Mobility Factory’s online platform.

In addition, they can join REScoop MECISE and benefit from the financial facilitation service that we set up to finance community energy projects and do shared projects with other cooperatives.

Get in touch with members@rescoop.eu if you're interested in joining The Mobility Factory or REScoop MECISE.

Solving problems together

Are you stuck with something, wondering how other cooperatives have solved similar problems, and do you need support? Just reach out and let us see if we can find someone to help you out. Our network is made up of organisations and people with strong expertise on various topics and activities. This includes managing specific energy services or technologies (PV installations, electro-mobility or district heating), particular business models (RES-electricity production, retail, heat provision, etc.) or knowledge of the energy regulations in specific EU countries.

Due to the large size of the REScoop.eu network, we need to find a way to serve all our members as equally as possible. This means that we will always be able to answer any ad-hoc questions you may have. If you require more substantial support (such as advice for setting up a new service, an audit, cost-benefit analyses for your project, a tailored workshop), we will be happy to provide this to you in exchange for a modest fee.

Promotion

Members receive important updates through our monthly newsletter and via our social media channels including Twitter and Facebook. Sign up for our newsletter and follow our social media channels! Members mention their support for REScoop.eu on their website.

At the same time, our dissemination channels (this includes our website) are there to help our members amplify and showcase their own work. If you have an event, a story, anything you would like to share, don’t hesitate to contact us on Facebook, Twitter or email our communications manager ⁨Óscar Güell⁩.

Working groups

REScoop.eu animates a number of thematic working groups, where our members can exchange questions, experiences and expertise. The aim of the working groups is to provide our members direct access to sector related information and create a forum for exchange. In addition to the policy working group, you can join any of the working groups on gender power, flexibility and collective home renovation. All groups can exchange on our online collaborative platform, and during the regular online meetings.

Get in touch with members@rescoop.eu if you want to join any of these working groups.

More information about our working groups

Become a member

Membership & supporters fees

Part of our work is financed with annual membership and supporters fees. Contributions are decided by the general assembly and cover a full calendar year. Membership fees are usually due in the Summer or whenever there's a new application. Our coordinator will send you a reminder when payment is due.

Federations

Small federation: €1000 per year

Members: <25
Budget: limited
Personnel: no

Large federation: €2500 per year

Members: >25
Budget: some
Personnel: yes

Supporting federation: €7500 per year

Members: >25
Budget: substantial
Personnel: yes

Individual cooperatives

Start-up Cooperative: €100 per year

Members: 0-25
Production/sales: limited
Profit: limited
Personnel: no

Growing Cooperative: €500 per year

Members: 25-500
Production/sales: some
Profit: some
Personnel: possible

Established Cooperative: €1000 per year

Members: 500-1000
Production/sales: medium-sized
Profit: yes
Personnel: yes

Large Cooperative: €2500 per year

Members: >1000
Production/sales: large
Profit: yes
Personnel: yes

Supporting Cooperative: €7500 per year

Members: >1000
Production/sales: very large
Profit: yes
Personnel: yes

Supporters

Small: €100 per year
Large: €500 per year

Application

Organisations that want to join our federation should fill out the application form applicable to your situation and send it, together with a high resolution logo to members@rescoop.eu. We will then provide you with further instructions.

Our members

REScoop.eu has members and supporters. Among its members it has national or regional federations of REScoops or individual REScoops. We know that in certain contexts, citizen energy projects may choose a different legal form than a cooperative for their initiative. As long as your initiative can show that you operate according to the ICA principles, you can still become a REScoop.eu member.