How Communities Power Change – Two Videos Show Energy Renovation in Action

EUKI project A+ Approach to Enhance Energy Transition is equipping local authorities and regional leaders with the tools and knowledge to access EU funding, develop effective decarbonisation plans, and implement just and sustainable energy projects. By fostering collaboration among local authorities, civil society, and EU institutions, the initiative ensures that vulnerable regions and groups are actively included in the transition, paving the way for a more equitable and resilient energy future. Two inspiring examples from EU countries demonstrate how the energy transition is both possible and impactful.

Sailing the EU renovation wave: Estonia’s factory-made building solution

Across Europe, outdated apartment buildings are draining energy and money. Yet a faster, smarter solution is emerging. In Estonia, factory-based building renovation is transforming old structures into energy-efficient homes in a fraction of the time. Using digital scanning and prefabricated panels, the process slashes on-site disruption and cuts heating costs dramatically. With 70% of European buildings still underperforming, this method shows a viable path towards meeting the EU’s 2050 climate targets. Estonia’s example proves that large-scale renovation can be both efficient and economically viable.

„We actually took the decision to renovate the building several years before the reconstruction work began, and the reason was very simple. The building looked very run-down, heating bills were sky-high, and the balconies were in danger of collapsing. So there wasn’t really much deliberation; there was simply no other option. Our experience with this factory-based reconstruction was very positive. The building was renovated very quickly, with the entire process lasting a bit over 6 months. And we didn’t have to put up any scaffolding, so no sunlight was blocked. Considering the building has 90 apartments and it’s five stories high, the work was completed in a very short time. Heating bills dropped significantly. For example, I can only speak for my one apartment: in the winter of 2022/2023, the heating bill was over EUR 100. But this January it was somewhere around EUR 50 or even EUR 45. That’s a really significant and tangible difference“, Triin Raadik from Tartu shares her experience.

Rebuilding for resilience: Energy-efficient home renovations in Hungary

Over 85 per cent of Hungarian households, around 3.85 million homes, are highly energy inefficient (DD or worse energy performance) and in need of modernisation. This video presents examples from across the country where energy renovations such as insulation, heating system upgrades, and solar panel installations have been implemented fully or in part with the support of EU and/or state funding. These cases demonstrate that, with proper planning and access to national or EU programmes, energy-efficient renovations are both feasible and beneficial. Engaging qualified professionals throughout the process, from planning to implementation, can greatly ease the burden on homeowners and ensure lasting energy savings. It is essential that public funding initiatives prioritise residential energy efficiency, with tailored financial schemes that separately address the needs of both average and low-income households.

Ferenc Palotás from Budakeszi comments on the changes in his household: “The house has been in the family since the 1920s and has not been seriously renovated since then so we had to replace practically all the wiring and all the windows. As part of this, we were able to contact an application consultant company who helped us to apply for the windows and heating upgrades and solar installation programme, and it was a 100% grant funded, non-refundable. In addition to insulation and solar panels, an air-to-water heat pump was installed to modernise the heating. The biggest cost to the house was the gas bill but since we no longer use gas, this has disappeared completely. To run the heat pump, we have a preferential electricity contract with the supplier so the cost is also much lower. Electricity needs of the house are absolutely covered by the solar panel on sunny days while in the winter we have to pay some small electricity bill, so the maintenance fee for the house has been reduced significantly.“

With initiatives like EUKI project A+ Approach to Enhance Energy Transition, local authorities in CEE countries are gaining the tools and support they need to lead the decarbonisation process and drive a fair, inclusive energy transition. By improving access to EU funds and building local capacity, these efforts are helping communities not only meet Europe’s climate goals but also create a more resilient and sustainable future for all.