C4E Forum Highlights: REA North on Improving Building Performance in CEE
REA North participated in the C4E Forum held in Cavtat from May 20 to 23, 2025, a key event that discusses the advancement of energy efficiency in Central and Eastern Europe, where it presented the OUR-CEE and REDESIGN.
From 20 to 23 May 2025, REA North took part in the Central and Eastern European Energy Efficiency Forum (C4E Forum) held in Cavtat, Croatia. The forum brought together stakeholders from across the region to exchange ideas and strategies for advancing energy efficiency, particularly in the building sector. During the event, REA North presented two EUKI-funded projects: OUR-CEE and REDESIGN.
The OUR-CEE (Overcoming Underperforming Renovations in Central and Eastern Europe) and REDESIGN (Harmonised Renovation Methodology for the Worst-Performing Public Buildings in CEE) projects adopt complementary approaches to improving the energy performance of public buildings in the region. Both initiatives are supported by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) and target systemic challenges faced by municipalities and public authorities.
The synergy between these two projects enables a comprehensive approach: OUR-CEE provides insights into existing challenges and proposes solutions for improving the energy performance of already renovated buildings, while REDESIGN, as a kind of continuation of the OUR-CEE project, directs efforts towards establishing standardised criteria for future renovations of the worst-performing public buildings. Together, these projects strengthen institutional capacities, encourage knowledge and experience sharing, and contribute to the development of national building renovation plans, thereby accelerating the transition to a more energy-efficient and sustainable building sector in the region.
Knowledge Exchange and Regional Cooperation
On the second day of the forum, May 21, within the framework of the OUR-CEE project, REA North organised a Knowledge Exchange Event, which, along with project partners from Romania (EPG), Bulgaria (EnEffect), and Poland (PNEC), gathered a significant number of forum participants. This knowledge exchange event was conceived as a panel session titled “Advancing high-performance renovations in the public building stock of Central and Eastern Europe” with the participation of various experts from different countries.
In addition to the panel session, the OUR-CEE project was also selected to be featured in the Knowledge Hub through a poster presentation, further emphasising the importance of the issues addressed by the project.
Towards a Sustainable Building Sector
EUKI project REDESIGN, led by REA North as the main partner, targets the 16% of public buildings with the worst energy performance in Central and Eastern Europe. Its aim is to increase the readiness for energy renovation processes of these poorly performing public buildings by proposing Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) which should be met by such buildings. In addition to REA North, project partners include the Center for Energy Efficiency (EnEffect) from Bulgaria and the Energy Policy Group (EPG) from Romania.
By participating in the C4E Forum and presenting the OUR-CEE and REDESIGN projects, REA North (as well as other partners) further reinforced its role as a key actor in promoting the energy transition in the region, advocating for concrete solutions and cooperation toward a sustainable future for the building sector.