Deploying collective self retrofit practice to lower cost of deep energy retrofit in multifamily buildings
Energy poverty is a serious problem in the European Union, affecting more than 34 million people, especially low-income households in multi-apartment buildings. Despite various policy measures, the problem persists due to high energy costs, poor building conditions and limited financial resources. Current support mechanisms do not deliver the desired increase in the pace of building renovation.
RENEW IT offers a transition to a long-term solution by making deep retrofits accessible and feasible for poor households, especially in multi-apartment buildings. The project focuses on a community-based self-renovation approach, in which residents actively participate in the renovation of the building, in collaboration with professionals. This “mixed model” approach combines professional supervision with citizen participation, thereby reducing labor costs, strengthening a sense of community and allowing citizens to acquire skills in building renovation work.
Project objectives:
-Reduce renovation costs by up to 15% by involving residents in practical work;
-Ensure overall improvement of the building’s energy efficiency by combining insulation and the use of renewable energy resources;
-Improve accessibility by developing new financing and subsidy schemes, including through education, unemployment and renewable energy co-financing funds;
-Increase community (including professional) capacity through training, engagement and skills development, offering opportunities for a career change to the construction sector;
-Promote replicability and scalability of solutions by implementing four pilot projects in France, Germany and Spain, as well as preparatory activities in Latvia and the Netherlands.
PROJECT FUNDED BY:
LIFE Clean Energy Transition
PROJECT DURATION:
July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028
PROJECT BUDGET:
Total: 2,500,000.00 EUR
RTU: 90,000.00 EUR
SCIENTIFIC LEADER OF THE PROJECT:
Ruta Vanaga
PUBLISHED:
01.07.2025.
PROJECT PARTNERS:
Coordinatore:
Ressorts (RES), France
Partners:
OHKW Klimajobs, Germany
CREARA, Spain
LABEEF, Latvia
Global EnergieSprong Alliance, The Netherlands
Bureau door,The Netherlands
DEPACT, Germany
Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte, Vides aizsardzības un siltuma sistēmu institūts, Latvia
Impact Hub Barcelona, Spain
Endule,The Netherlands
Buro de Haan,The Netherlands
Besançon, Francie
Neues Berlin, Germany
Ēkubirojs, Latvia
Filao Labs, France
RedCat, France
Getafe EMSV, Spain
LogeBM, France
Centelles, Spain
