Webinar “More Than Just Renewables: The Social Impact of Energy Sharing”  

This webinar will be showcasing how local governments in Valencia (Spain) and Rožnov pod Radhoštěm (Czech Republic) are turning renewable energy projects into tools for social justice and fighting energy poverty. Beyond technical innovation, both pilots show that fighting energy poverty starts with trust: in institutions, in local actors, and between citizens.

“This isn’t a short-term project, it’s a 25-year commitment.”

Valencia is bringing solar energy to those who need it most. A crucial part of the project’s success is its strong collaboration with social services, ensuring that the right people benefit from the initiative. We’ve asked Arturo Zea Falcon, in charge of energy at Valencia Clima i Energia, a city-owned foundation, how everything started and what remains to be done.

Community-driven solutions – country by country

Across Europe, energy poverty limits access to affordable and sustainable energy, disproportionately affecting vulnerable households. The POWER UP National Guides provide a practical roadmap for municipalities, cooperatives, and local organisations to develop inclusive, community-led renewable energy solutions.

Energy poverty is not a fatality! Renewables are one solution.

Since the start of POWER UP co-designing activities, a selected group of people struggling with energy poverty were actively involved in collective decisions around renewable energy production. But awareness-raising and support should not be limited to a few. That is why, over the past months, the four pilots of POWER UP engaged a broader group of residents in activities whereby they learned how to have control over their energy consumption.

We powered up the Grafting Cities Conference!

What better place than sun-filled Valencia to talk about social renewable projects! What better group of people, than the hundreds of city-makers that gathered in Valencia for the conference to talk about the POWER UP pilots?