Citizen-led renovation
Citizen energy cooperatives all over Europe are increasingly offering building renovation services to their members and communities. There are multiple reasons why citizen energy cooperatives have become involved in these activities. Some see reducing energy demand from buildings as crucial in combating the climate crisis or see it as a way to invest in their local community or combat energy poverty. Others have been asked by their members to help them reduce their energy costs and improve the quality of their homes.
What does citizen-led renovation involve?
Citizen-led renovation can encompass different renovation and energy efficiency activities, ranging from performing energy audits and providing information, to taking care of the complete renovation process, from planning and financing to delivering (a 'one-stop-shop service). Although the offered services differ between cooperatives, they all share a few common traits:
- Citizens are involved in the governance, ownership, and implementation of the renovation;
- Cooperatives act as a trusted partner;
- Local, social and economic development is a priority:
- Local businesses and contractors are involved where possible, in order to increase the local economic multiplier;
- With the appropriate supportive framework in place, citizen-led renovation should focus on lower income and disadvantaged households;
- Solutions are adapted to local conditions, emphasising environmentally and socially sound building practices.
In doing so, local networks and partnerships are created, bringing together both government and relevant actors - from contractors to community groups - driving the development of a sustainable strategy for the community.
REScoop.eu and citizen-led renovation
The REScoop.eu team is developing a service to support her members in the development of sustainable renovation activities. The service includes activities such as:
- Training on sustainable renovation activities;
- Networking and sharing of experience and knowledge;
- Developing standardized business models;
- Helping communities access EU-level funding and facilitating collective purchasing;
- Integrating existing services into one-stop shops for renovations through the OSR-Coop project.
Inspiring examples
EcoVision - A One-Stop-Shop service for the community
EcoVision is a community-led, home insulation upgrade and retrofitting cooperative. They are active in counties Tipperary, Clare, and Limerick in Ireland. The cooperative sees citizen-led renovation as a tool for local development leading to local benefit. By providing a One-Stop-Shop service, they make it easy for homeowners to get grant aid, source contractors and oversee projects. They do this using funding from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and in partnership with local partners such as the regional energy agency and community development company. providers of community loans,
Today, EcoVision has renovated over 900 homes, achieving 12GWh of energy savings.
Energent - Renovation solutions for the neighbourhood
Energent is a cooperative that, next to its renewable energy production investments, offers energy-efficiency and renovation solutions. With the "Wijkwerf" project as one of their most significant renovation endowers, Energent offered collective renovation at the neighborhood level.
Since its inception in 2015, Energent has already organized 11 neighborhood renovation projects, ensuring a hassle-free experience for homeowners in refurbishing their homes. Today, they focus on providing comprehensive support to residents throughout the renovation process, from start to finish
Les7vents - An affordable journey towards energy efficiency
Les7vents is a cooperative society in France, dedicated to offering renovation services. The organization is driven by a profound passion for empowering individuals and communities to create sustainable and energy-efficient homes.
Les7vents offers a comprehensive One-Stop-Shop service, which streamlines the entire renovation process. From initial consultations to contractor sourcing and project oversight, Les7vents is committed to guiding and supporting clients at every stage.
Les7vents actively collaborates with local partners, energy agencies, and authorities to secure funding and resources for projects. This ensures that the journey towards energy efficiency is accessible and affordable for everyone in the community.
People Powered Retrofit - Leveraging resources for a sustainable future
People Power Retrofit is a not-for-profit service focused on home retrofitting in the city of Manchester. People Power Retrofit empowers homeowners to enhance their properties through energy-efficient upgrades and retrofits. Their goal is to make the process as seamless as possible for residents by offering a comprehensive One-Stop Shop service.
This service not only provides access to grants and financial support but also connects homeowners with reliable contractors and oversees the entire retrofitting process. In collaboration with local authorities, energy agencies, and the energy cooperative Carbon Co-op, People Power Retrofit leverages available resources and funding to bring their vision to life.
