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

Communication as a gateway to trust: learning from local POWER UP approaches

In regions grappling with energy poverty from the North to South of Europe, information on access to energy or support to energy retrofitting isn’t just helpful—it’s transformative. The municipalities involved in the POWER UP project recognised this early on.

Renewables for a really good cause

It dates back to 2021, when four cities in Italy, Spain, Czech Republic and Belgium set off to produce renewable energy. Social equity was built in each of the business models as of day one. Initial dreams turned into reality thanks to very pragmatic approaches.

Webinar summary: Impact through Trust – Co-designing Energy Communities with Vulnerable Households

The session, moderated by Marine Cornelis, focused on two pilots from Campania (Italy) and Eeklo (Belgium); both developed in complex local contexts but united by a common goal: ensuring renewable energy benefits reach those most in need.

Meet POWER UP in Brussels: 11 June session “Is energy sharing possible? Empowering communities for inclusivity”

Missed the webinar on energy sharing with vulnerable households?

Two very different pilots with business models that go from one apartment block to city-wide actions: Valencia and Roznov. Read the webinar recap and view the presentations.

Find a capacity-building workshop in your country!

As part of its ongoing efforts to support inclusive and community-driven energy models in Europe, the POWER UP project is launching a series of national capacity-building workshops. The workshops will take place in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain in May and June.

12/06 – POWER UP en la Jornada sobre Comunidades Energéticas

Presentaremos las experiencias de POWER UP durante el Congreso Nacional de Comunidades Energéticas, coorganizado por EnerAgen y la Junta de Andalucía en el marco del VIII ENCUENTRO NACIONAL DE AGENCIAS DE ENERGÍA.

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