ComAct – Community Tailored Actions for Energy Poverty Mitigation

Nominated by: Zita Kakalejcikova ( Senior Project Manager, Habitat for Humanity International, Europe and the Middle East Area Office)

Summary of the project

ComAct’s innovative approach transforms high-cost renovations into affordable, high-impact energy-efficient upgrades for multi-family buildings across five Central and Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, North Macedonia, and Ukraine).

Innovation

ComAct optimises energy efficiency (EE) measures by combining “hard” renovations (façade insulation, roof/floor renovations, window replacements) with “soft” measures (energy metering, apartment block recommissioning, advisory services). This dual approach maximises energy savings while making energy payments more affordable for low-income households.

The project empowers fragmented homeowner communities by strengthening homeowner associations (HOAs) and improving access to subsidies and renovation schemes. By integrating municipalities, companies, and financial institutions, ComAct creates a support system for energy renovations.

Financial innovation is at the core of the project, offering affordable loan products tailored to low-income families. By combining grants, increasing subsidy rates, and modifying loan conditions, ComAct enhances financing accessibility. A key breakthrough is direct lending to HOAs, an uncommon approach in the energy efficiency financing landscape for multi-family buildings.

ComAct also introduces policy innovation by institutionalising Resource Centers (RCs) within municipal structures, providing long-term support for energy efficiency projects. Additionally, the project defines energy poverty at the building level, advancing policy discussions.

A gender-sensitive approach ensures that women, who are at greater risk of energy poverty, are included in financial instruments and energy efficiency policies. Through surveys and gender analysis, ComAct provides recommendations to ensure inclusive energy transition strategies.

Impact

ComAct has demonstrated that high-cost energy-efficient renovations are feasible in privately owned multi-family buildings, even where most residents are energy-poor.

The project has triggered 95.6 GWh/year in primary energy savings and reduced 12.66 ktCO₂-eq/year. Pilots in North Macedonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Hungary have successfully engaged homeowners and prepared buildings for renovation, despite challenges such as unstable subsidy schemes or the war in Ukraine.

ComAct has also established five Energy Advice Resource Centers (RCs) in its pilot locations, three of which continue to operate post-project. The initiative has already triggered €32.17 million in sustainable energy investments, exceeding expectations, particularly in Bulgaria, where the pilot successfully secured funding for national renovation programs.

The project has trained 175 energy advisors, providing communities with long-term expertise. Through community engagement efforts, ComAct has directly involved 16,038 consumers, while an additional 24,480 people have been informed through outreach activities.

Scalability and replicability

ComAct’s model is scalable and adaptable at the local, national, and EU levels. By integrating pilot results into regional energy action plans, the project ensures its long-term implementation.

The financing models tested in ComAct are aligned with regional energy poverty policies, making them adaptable for building renovation programs. The project’s engagement with financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) positions it for broader replication.

Through policy contributions, financing strategies, and training initiatives, ComAct provides a blueprint for reducing energy poverty. By integrating Resource Centers into public organisations, ComAct ensures sustainability beyond the project’s lifetime, offering a scalable, long-term solution for improving energy efficiency in multi-family buildings across Europe.