Energy monitoring for vulnerable households – much to learn from Eeklo in Flanders
As a cooperative project developer and energy supplier, the Belgian citizen energy cooperative Ecopower supports its members to save energy. The first step is understanding your current consumption pattern. Ecopower and EnergyID developed a tool that allows clients to keep track of their expenses and regain control of their consumption. Christina Vogt from Ecopower takes us back to the beginning and explains the benefits.
POWER UP your ears: Podcast episode about fair energy systems
In this episode of Energ’Ethic Eduardo Blanco from Energy Cities, coordinator of the POWER UP project, shares insights from the pilots and explains why building fair energy systems looks less like engineering and more like embroidery.
The poverty fix in 2026? What municipalities can expect from community energy and energy poverty policies
The energy services developed by and for people in energy poverty in the POWER UP pilots are meant to guide municipal work across Europe and to inform policymaking at EU level. 2026 will mark a shift for municipalities working on energy poverty and energy communities.
How did it go? New report assessing the pilot activities around fair energy services
Since 2021, the city, academic and private partners that form the POWER UP team worked full steam on their inclusive energy services. Now, it is time to see how it went. An in-depth evaluation, authored by Saska Petrova and Ami Crowther from University of Manchester traces four and a half years of local work across Europe.
Heerlen in The Netherlands: Preparing the ground when projects stall
“Stopping was not a failure. It was the starting point,” reflected Guus van der Nat when we spoke about Heerlen’s journey in the POWER UP project. His words captured the resilience that defined the Dutch pilot: a story of recalibration. The municipality of Heerlen started as a pilot in the POWER UP project and turned active observer due to local difficulties.
New report calling for stronger support to inclusive energy communities – we agree!
We want to amplify the very timely call that stick out when reading the TANDEM project’s final policy brief: To make community energy more inclusive, fair and effective, national frameworks must better support cooperation between local authorities, citizens, and energy actors.
Lunch webinar in Flemish (6 Nov): Combating energy poverty in your municipality – Insights from Eeklo
Join this webinar at 12h to see what the Belgian partners Eeklo and Ecopower have accomplished in the past 4 years in making energy fair and affordable for all. What is in there for others to “copy”?
Let’s talk about social energy business solutions in Barcelona, 4 Nov!
Join us at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 on the morning of 4th November: meet us in Hall 2, Stand 1 and we can have a chat about how to best design energy services so that they are both affordable and inclusive.
Opening a window to energy communities in North Macedonia
Currently, there are no energy communities in North Macedonia. Local capacities, technical expertise, and citizen engagement remain limited. POWER UP may bring some change.
Join our POWER UP Final Event to see what comes next in policy and practice
Join us for a dynamic morning event bringing together leading voices from municipalities, energy cooperatives, social justice advocates, and policy-makers to explore the future of inclusive, community-led energy systems in Europe and beyond