Once Upon a Time
Once Upon a TimeBuildings were energy devourers
At that time, the main objective was to minimise energy loss... But how to? Buildings could undergo energy efficient renovations.
As result of energy waste, there used to be cold schools and people freezing in buildings. The massive use of fossils as source of energy instead of renewables led to polluting buildings, causing damage to citizens and to the planet.
To turn the tide, citizens themselves had to come together to solve the situation for the benefit of all.
As result of energy waste, there used to be cold schools and people freezing in buildings. The massive use of fossils as source of energy instead of renewables led to polluting buildings, causing damage to citizens and to the planet.
To turn the tide, citizens themselves had to come together to solve the situation for the benefit of all.
Polluting Buildings 3 out of 4 buildings all around Europe were grey
People living or working there lived in moodiness, caused by high discomfort. They could not stand this situation any longer.
They made themselves stronger out of this joint situation. They were not alone anymore, but in need of a friendly hand.
They made themselves stronger out of this joint situation. They were not alone anymore, but in need of a friendly hand.
Cold Schools Were standing as old and insecure buildings for children
The vast majority was not energy efficient. Even schools, being sites these that should represent a comfortable place under every aspect for children. Having cold classrooms was not ideal for pupils’ concentration and learning. Also, the risk of catching a cold or getting sick was on the agenda. Citizens had to do something to keep their children warm and safe.
People freezing or breaking out in a sweatPeople used to suffer a lot due to too much cold or hot in buildings
In fact, citizens could not bear living in houses not sufficiently suited to everyday life due to temperature issues.
Dispersion of energy and old energy system needed to be renewed to improve citizens' wellbeing.
Renewables were surging to give a hand.
Dispersion of energy and old energy system needed to be renewed to improve citizens' wellbeing.
Renewables were surging to give a hand.
The fight of the opposite The ultimate battle between fossil and renewables
The use of fossil fuels in the energy sector caused a huge price to pay to all humanity and the environment - from air and water pollution to global warming.
Poor air quality, for example, caused severe health problems, and CO2 emissions damaged the environment, putting at risk the life of people and our planet’s biodiversity.
Concerning the building sector, 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions are still attributed to buildings, predominantly for heating, cooling and lighting.
People just needed to listen to nature to find the right solution.
Poor air quality, for example, caused severe health problems, and CO2 emissions damaged the environment, putting at risk the life of people and our planet’s biodiversity.
Concerning the building sector, 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions are still attributed to buildings, predominantly for heating, cooling and lighting.
People just needed to listen to nature to find the right solution.
The lane was tracedBut the journey was harder than expected
Moving away from fossil fuels in favor of renewables, such as wind energy and photovoltaics, was essential for all of us, but not easy: this required an energy transition path that considered the citizens’ needs and the renovation of the old energy system in place.
A simple but radical shift was needed to take this path: being united towards a common goal and acting in unanimity.
A simple but radical shift was needed to take this path: being united towards a common goal and acting in unanimity.
Turning point
Moving together with one voice The snow was falling and the snowball effect was right behind the mountain
Before, they were a crowd. Then they teamed up for a purpose: to make their life and planet more colored, with the help of a friend, called Europa.
Europa came in to solve the matter and make their lives better.
She sprinkled magic receipts everywhere to improve the citizens’ wellbeing.
Europa came in to solve the matter and make their lives better.
She sprinkled magic receipts everywhere to improve the citizens’ wellbeing.
Mother Europe Goodness It was all set to leave grey times behind
Europa’s magic was impetuously directed to set up innovative financing schemes ready to finance energy efficiency investments, moving away from fossil fuels to marry renewable energy sources.
With the help of wind and photovoltaics, Europa was paving the way for a more sustainable, desirable and colored future for all.
With the help of wind and photovoltaics, Europa was paving the way for a more sustainable, desirable and colored future for all.
The Magic wandOn April 2019 a new light was starting to wander around, leaving the moodiness with the hours counted.
Europa took its magic wand and unleashed CitizEE, a new project very conscious that homes, workplaces, schools, hospitals and public buildings needed to become greener, more comfortable and efficient for the people living there.
Dropping magic down to the ground
With this objective, CitizEE materialized into new innovative Citizen Financing Schemes and put them widespread at work by establishing national investment platforms, bringing together large-scale community energy efficiency programs, attracting private investments while strengthening know-how of national and regional key stakeholders.
It was the time when the recipe met the relatives in vision.
It was the time when the recipe met the relatives in vision.
The curt of magician and apprentices Allies, brothers and sisters in job
To make CitizEE’s magic to work, Europa brought together the best apprentices known and call them united: a consortium. With this joint path, all entities were invited to the curt of magician and set the new normal for all citizens.
Light as a plume
Light as a plume Flying in the air, against the grain
The context within whom they moved was not easy to tackle. The legal, financial and operational environment was in some cases not shining bright and favorable, so, the new normal had to make its room against the old.
Magic at work and the strength of its adolescence
Blending together Citizen Financing Schemes with Public Financing Instruments was the perfect potion enabling to:
- attract citizen private investments and to use public funds more effectively
- enhancing capacity and know-how of public authorities, local crowdfunding operators and cooperatives
- stimulating investment towards higher renovation rates and more efficient building stock
The realms of magicThe litmus paper of the magic
To set the new normal, the magic had to give tangible evidences of its benefits for society. CitizEE approach and financing schemes have been demonstrated in the following realms:
- Portugal: to foster the investment in community used infrastructure
- Belgium: to co-finance a large-scale public investment program on school’s energy efficiency upgrades through EPC Contracting
- Croatia: to co-finance or finance EPC contracts and/or EPC portfolios
- Lithuania: to co-finance or finance Energy Efficiency projects in condominium and Renewable Energy projects (solar PV program).
The new normal
The enchanted hug on all The new normal for citizens came to fruition
Thanks to Europa’s magic, CitizEE managed to solve the problem of pollution by having greener and more energy-efficient buildings. People finally began to feel comfortable and safe inside their homes and workplaces and even children at school rediscover the desire to learn. Everyone benefited from the help of the magical tools made available by Mother Europa.
Sunshine follows thunder
The energy transition accomplished its objectives.
Citizens’ private investments revolutionized the previous tragic situation and gradually restored a balance in the everyday life of the inhabitants of those drifting polluting buildings.
Citizens’ private investments revolutionized the previous tragic situation and gradually restored a balance in the everyday life of the inhabitants of those drifting polluting buildings.
GetEE Together
Expanding CitizEE The magic is now here to grow
CitizEE demonstrators produced a number of stories and results that are here to stay for long.
The toolkits designed will remain as reference documents and inspiring practices for other realms that would like to undergo this sustainable renovation path, having citizens and public administrations’ initiatives at the heart.
The toolkits designed will remain as reference documents and inspiring practices for other realms that would like to undergo this sustainable renovation path, having citizens and public administrations’ initiatives at the heart.
It is all around us
Now if you wonder around CitizEE’s places you see the new normal at work.
Cold schools, buildings energy expensive are part of the past and won’t come back. The elements of our Earth are finally in harmony with citizens’ life and wellbeing.
No more moodiness around, just happy faces and hope for today and tomorrow’s generations.
Cold schools, buildings energy expensive are part of the past and won’t come back. The elements of our Earth are finally in harmony with citizens’ life and wellbeing.
No more moodiness around, just happy faces and hope for today and tomorrow’s generations.
Nurture the Magic This flow won’t stop with CitizEE
Because it’s anchored to a common wish to pursue resilient and sustainable lifestyle and energy consumption habits.
This vision is for those who believe in a colorful future and, thanks to the project, this vision is just at hand.
This vision is for those who believe in a colorful future and, thanks to the project, this vision is just at hand.
Be the change you want to see in the world (Ghandi) Let’s GetEE togetherOur world demands our participation
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Once Upon a Time
Polluting Buildings
Cold Schools
People freezing or breaking out in a sweat
The fight of the opposite
The lane was traced
Moving together with one voice
Mother Europe Goodness
The Magic wand
Dropping magic down to the ground
The curt of magician and apprentices
Light as a plume
Magic at work
The realms of magic
The enchanted hug on all
Sunshine follows thunder
Expanding CitizEE
It is all around us
Nurture the Magic
Let’s GetEE together