Alleviating household energy poverty in Europe

About the call

Energy poverty - when a household cannot afford an adequate level of heating, cooling, lighting or household energy - remains a structural problem in the EU and is being aggravated by price volatility.

Objectives

To roll out practical assistance schemes for vulnerable households that combine social and energy-related approaches.

What is funded

• Identification and targeting of energy-poor households - identification methodologies, cooperation with social services and data.
• Advice and energy mentoring for households.
• Micro-investments and small energy-efficiency measures with quick payback.
• Facilitating access to subsidies and financing.
• Addressing rented housing and the split-incentive problem between owners and tenants.
• Building the capacity of local authorities, social services and NGOs to address energy poverty systematically.
• Integrating the energy dimension into existing social support systems.

What evaluators focus on

Combining social and energy-related approaches - this is neither simply a utility-bill subsidy nor simple insulation. A measurable impact on a specific number of households and the sustainability of the scheme after funding ends are expected.

Conditions

• Consortium: at least 3 applicants from 3 different countries.
• Indicative grant amount: up to €2 million (check the topic page).
• Typical applicants: municipalities, social services, NGOs, energy agencies, housing associations.

Deadline

16 September 2026, 17:00 CEST