Marine Faber Perrio

Extended abstract 1-080-26 The recent years have seen a surge in housing inequalities, impacting a wide spectrum of stakeholders and most notably those referred to as marginalized or vulnerable communities (including but not limited to elderly, persons with disabilities, refugees). Safe and equal housing for these communities should be a priority yet the situation on the ground reflects a poor consideration of the topic. The rights to a decent and affordable housing (including with proper and affordable access to energy, health, transport and digital access) is part of this “European quality of life”. Horizon-funded project HouseInc uses innovative approaches and methodologies to analyse different dimensions of housing inequality, focusing on marginalised communities across Europe, and contributing to policy measures to increase access to affordable, inclusive and sustainable housing. The project puts communities at the heart by focusing on their engagement, empowering them in co-creating solutions in a series of living labs, focus groups and more participatory methods. Partners include organisations working on the ground with diverse marginalised communities including refugees, Roma communities, migrants from Eastern Europe as well as elderly, with a focus on 4 pilots in Germany, Italy, Czech Republic and Romania. Using the project as a lever, the author’s dual approach combines literature review with interviews of researchers and practitioners to understand what seems to work as forms of engagement. How can one ensure hearing marginalised groups’ voices, for a fair and just (energy) transition? Interviewing researchers from various projects or initiatives who looked into the topic, the author questions how they involved vulnerable groups and what barriers limit participation. How are the strategies put into reality? The paper will present a set of operational recommendations for inclusive and effective stakeholder engagement. Read full Download presentation.

Developing business models for energy communities means that community-based values and goals are to be taken seriously. This paper presents how several European Horizon projects attempt to do so, highlighting the key issues and challenges encountered. The various projects also show diverse ways to support energy community BMs, developing and demonstrating both technological as well as governance tools and support. What all projects point out is that energy communities lack (financial, knowledge, relational) resources, and that the current local, regional and national market and policy frameworks are not conducive for energy community BMs.