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European Energy Communities Facility – A project to support energy communities in developing solid business plans
The European Energy Communities Facility aims to support and empower energy communities across Europe. This new EU project coordinated by REScoop.eu will distribute a total of €7 million to at least 140 energy communities to help them develop and implement solid business plans for their renewable energy projects.
To receive the support, community energy projects will be invited to apply for small lump sum grants through two open calls, the first one will be launched in June 2025 and the second in September 2026. The calls will be open to initiatives from all EU Member States, Iceland and Ukraine.
With a focus on the development of viable business models, which are key to triggering investment and ensuring the economic sustainability of energy projects, the Facility will also offer tailored capacity building programmes. This will help energy communities overcome the challenges they face in the start-up phase of a project and maximise its impact.
In addition, the Facility will share financing opportunities, best practices, assessments of legal frameworks, and information on one-stop shops across Europe.
The project aims to inspire Member States to replicate this initiative at a national level, including an evaluation of the needs and impact of energy communities and a constructive dialogue with national policymakers.
A strong consortium with a network of experts
The project, funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme, is being implemented by a consortium of experienced organisations including REScoop.eu, FEDARENE, Energy Cities, GNE Finance, Ecorys, Ricardo and Akaryion. To ensure the broadest reach and the most effective support at the local level, the European Energy Communities Facility will collaborate with a network of 29 national experts who will build connections with the local initiatives.
Launched in September 2024, the European Energy Communities Facility builds on the successful experiences of the Energy Communities Repository, the Rural Energy Communities Advisory Hub and the European City Facility, intending to consolidate and extend the scope of these initiatives.
We are currently designing the grant scheme and developing the project website, which will be online early next year. Stay tuned for more news and the launch of the first open call!
For further information, you can contact Sofia Corsi (sofia.corsi@rescoop.eu).
