From 14 to 16 April 2025, partners of the SCEPA project came together at HAN University of Applied Sciences in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, for an intensive three-day meeting dedicated to strengthening cooperation and advancing the fight against energy poverty.
The gathering combined field visits, workshops, and public exchanges, highlighting a shared ambition: building a just energy transition that leaves no one behind.
Empowering Residents: Insights from the Public Symposium
On 15 April, over 70 participants — including municipalities, civil society organisations, and researchers — joined a public symposium hosted by HAN University. The event fostered lively exchanges on resident engagement in energy poverty strategies.
HAN University presented findings from its research on approaches to energy poverty across Northwest Europe, emphasising the crucial role of residents’ perspectives in crafting effective policies.
Speakers Riane Kuzee-Hoogeveen and Jo Bothmer provided inspiring examples of how residents’ experiences can shape more equitable solutions.
Interactive workshops allowed participants to share methodologies and best practices, enriching the collective knowledge on combating energy poverty from the ground up.
Field Visit: Experiencing Energy Transition First-Hand
On Monday 14 April, participants visited the Huis van Compassie, a community centre that supports vulnerable residents with energy coaching initiatives.
A local energy coach guided the group through a home that had recently undergone an energy transition, offering practical insights into the real-life impact of energy-saving measures.
The visit ended with a warm communal meal at the Foodhub, reinforcing the importance of community support networks in addressing energy poverty beyond technical interventions.
Strengthening Collaboration: Partner Updates and Forward Planning
The meeting also included project-specific sessions, with partners reviewing progress on deliverables, exchanging feedback on pilot activities, and discussing the next steps.
Key highlights included:
- Updates on ChatLocal, the AI-driven platform under development to support local energy poverty initiatives;
- The new onboarding journey for the SCEPA Community of Interest, aiming to engage more municipalities, civil society actors, and local leaders across Europe;
- An agreement to enhance the visibility of pilots and share best practices more effectively among partners.
Special attention was given to improving monitoring and evaluation tools, ensuring that future results capture not only technical outcomes but also the social and well-being impacts of energy interventions.
Save the Date: Midterm Event in Paris
The partners are now looking ahead to the Midterm Event, scheduled for 25 September 2025 in Paris.
This milestone event will bring together the SCEPA community and external stakeholders to share progress, explore synergies, and further develop strategies for mitigating energy poverty at the local level.
Stay tuned for more updates — and get ready to join us in shaping a fairer energy future for all!
