Within the framework of the Energy.eu project, in the period from September 2024, activities under Specific Objective 1 (SO 1) were carried out, which included an analysis of the current situation in energy communities, prosumer networks, energy poverty and alternative financing of energy projects in the countries of the European Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), with a special focus on the countries that make up the core partnership of the project.

The project partners identified previous and ongoing projects and activities that are of relevance to the main project, which will be one of the key results of the Energy.eu initiative. A database containing information on all relevant initiatives was also established. All activities were studied, and the partners established communication with all relevant stakeholders in order to enrich the development of the main project.

The Energy.eu project partners analysed the drivers and barriers for paradigmatic changes, with an emphasis on consumer behaviour and its impact on business models. They also considered financial and socio-environmental incentives that could enable the development of new flexible products and services in the energy industry. In order to engage citizens, the partners tested innovative interactive tools and methods for their participation in the energy market. These tools will be described in detail in the main phase of the project. The target group and relevant stakeholders will be involved in demonstration activities and case studies under Specific Objective 2 (SO 2).

Also, during the Energy.eu project, target groups for the main project were defined,  and an analysis of their needs, objectives and engagement opportunities was carried out. In the following period, the partners will identify and analyse demonstration sites at the level of local communities that will serve as reference points for potential pilot sites within the main project (so-called “Lighthouse case study”). The project Pathways to Empowering Energy Communities and Alleviating Energy Poverty in Central Eastern Europe – A Case Study Approach –
energy.eu, is supported under the Interreg Programme for the Danube Region, EUSDR Seed Money Facility Programme. The project lead is InnoGeo Research and Service Nonprofit Ltd (Hungary), while the project partners are SLOVGEOTERM a.s. (Slovakia), Environmental Resource Center (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Regional Development Agency Bačka doo Novi Sad (Serbia).

The total value of the project is 124,705 euros, and it is being implemented in the period from 01.09.2024 to 31.08.2025.