Energy / Europe
Energy sector signals: regulation, infrastructure, markets, and risk. Topic: Europe. Updated briefs and structured summaries from curated sources.
EPAH Technical Assistance - 3rd Call Info Session with Covenant of Mayors (9 February 2026)
Full timeline
0.0–300.0
The webinar discusses the third call for technical assistance, highlighting energy poverty as a critical focus for local governments. The Covenant of Mayors, established 16 years ago, now mandates signatories to integrate energy poverty goals into their sustainable energy and climate action plans.
- The webinar introduces the third call for technical assistance, emphasizing the importance of energy poverty as a key focus area for local governments
- A liaison officer with the Covenant of Mayors discusses the collaboration between the Covenant and the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub
- A previous beneficiary of technical assistance shares insights on how her municipality advanced its efforts to address energy poverty
- The Covenant of Mayors, established 16 years ago, aims to support local authorities in achieving decarbonized and resilient cities with sustainable energy access
- Signatories of the Covenant are required to develop and implement sustainable energy and climate action plans. They must integrate energy poverty goals into their strategies
- Since 2015, the recognition of energy poverty has grown. This has led to the establishment of the energy poverty pillar within the Covenants framework
- Support and guidance for municipalities have matured. Signatories are now required to articulate energy poverty goals and actions in their plans
300.0–600.0
Cities supported by the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) often exceed minimum requirements for integrating energy poverty into their plans. Besson Son has developed a community-based program since 2013 to address energy poverty through various support mechanisms.
- Cities supported by the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) often exceed the minimum requirements for integrating energy poverty into their sustainable energy and climate action plans
- EPAH provides user-friendly resources and guidance to help municipalities navigate the complexities of energy poverty. This support makes it easier for them to implement effective strategies
- The upcoming technical assistance opportunity from EPAH aims to support local authorities in enhancing their energy poverty initiatives. It will help align these initiatives with their specific needs
- Besson Son has developed a community-based program to address energy poverty since 2013. The program focuses on identifying affected households and providing both social and technical support
- The program includes home visits to assess situations and behavioral change initiatives. It also offers guidance on financial assistance and administrative procedures for energy retrofitting
- Besson Son aims to improve public policies related to financial support for energy retrofitting. This focus is especially important for private homeowners to secure the long-term effectiveness of their strategies
- Collaboration between the energy management and housing departments is crucial for addressing energy poverty. However, this collaboration may not be immediately evident to all stakeholders
600.0–900.0
Collaboration between energy and housing departments has improved, fostering a shared purpose in addressing energy poverty. A diagnosis revealed the energy poverty ratio to be 30%, prompting a reassessment of priorities and the need for better financing tools.
- Collaboration between the energy and housing departments improved significantly during the technical assistance. This fostered a shared purpose in tackling energy poverty
- The initial diagnosis revealed that the energy poverty ratio was actually 30%, contrary to the previously assumed 45%. This prompted a reassessment of priorities
- The technical assistance highlighted the need for better financing tools. This led to a review of distribution criteria for financial aid and the establishment of a preferred solution for subsidies
- Plans for a one-stop shop for high-performance renovation emerged. This aims to streamline support for energy retrofitting and ecological transition initiatives
- The technical assistance also encouraged ongoing communication with a senior official. This ensures continued support and collaboration beyond the initial program
- The initiative has united various stakeholders. It has created a common goal between departments to enhance local strategies for addressing energy poverty
900.0–1200.0
The EPAH initiative facilitates collaboration among local authorities to address energy poverty through technical assistance and networking opportunities. This approach aims to create realistic action plans and promote just transitions in local communities.
- EPAH technical assistance provided valuable time and space for different departments and partners to collaborate on policies. This collaboration led to the creation of a shared action plan
- The program facilitated networking opportunities with professionals and local authorities. This networking resulted in new partnerships and live projects
- Participants are encouraged to apply for technical assistance. It is emphasized that perfection is not required before starting the application process
- The application form for technical assistance is straightforward. This accessibility allows interested parties to engage easily with the program
- EPAH operates as a European Commission initiative. It is structured as a collaborative network aimed at eradicating energy poverty and promoting just transitions in local communities
- The initiative includes a team of five organizations and various outreach teams. These teams help organize webinars in local languages across different member states
1200.0–1500.0
Collaboration among local authorities is essential for effectively addressing energy poverty, as it allows for the sharing of successful strategies and experiences. The upcoming call for technical assistance, open from February 16 to March 31, aims to support local governments in overcoming challenges related to limited resources and data availability.
- Learning from each others experiences is crucial in addressing energy poverty. Collaboration can help replicate successful actions and strengthen partnerships across different localities
- The call for technical assistance opens on February 16 and closes on March 31. This timeline allows local governments to prepare their applications and gather necessary information
- Local governments often face challenges such as limited resources and a lack of data. These limitations hinder their ability to identify vulnerable consumers and implement necessary changes
- Technical assistance provides tailored support to overcome these challenges. It offers additional human resources and expertise to help local communities navigate their specific needs
- The assistance is designed to be hands-on and customizable, addressing a wide range of requests. It spans from diagnosis to planning and implementation of energy poverty solutions
- The technical assistance serves as a kickstart for broader initiatives. A longer-term commitment from applicants is essential to ensure sustained progress beyond the nine-month support period
1500.0–1800.0
Fifty proposals will receive tailored support from local experts to address energy poverty, with assistance available for up to nine months. Eligible applicants can form consortia to enhance collaboration and resource management.
- Fifty proposals will receive tailored support from local experts during the third technical assistance call. This initiative is designed to effectively address energy poverty
- Support will be delivered both in person and online. The focus will be on proximity to facilitate direct meetings between applicants and experts
- The duration of support can be adjusted based on the needs of the applicants. A maximum of nine months of assistance is available
- Eligible applicants can form consortia. This allows local governments to collaborate on proposals that address energy poverty across multiple jurisdictions
- Partnerships with various stakeholders, including NGOs and research centers, are encouraged. These collaborations enhance outreach and coordination in implementing technical assistance
- Local governments can apply individually. However, forming a consortium is often beneficial for better resource management and project execution
1800.0–2100.0
Local governments can request support for various phases of the EPA methodology, including diagnosis and planning, to address energy poverty. The initiative aims to assist in identifying vulnerable consumers and prioritizing actions when funds are limited.
- Support can be requested for various phases of the EPA methodology, including diagnosis and planning. Local governments may seek assistance in identifying vulnerable consumers and selecting specific indicators for their projects
- During the diagnosis phase, support may include data mapping, collection, and implementation of surveys. This helps local governments understand their energy poverty challenges and identify beneficiaries for funding
- In the planning phase, assistance focuses on prioritizing actions when funds are limited. Local governments can develop strategic long-term plans to integrate energy poverty actions into existing frameworks
- Implementation support is geared towards pilot projects, providing technical expertise rather than financing equipment. Examples include structuring one-stop shops and designing inclusive governance models for energy communities
- The application process requires identifying severe energy poverty conditions. Twenty out of fifty selected proposals specifically address areas highly exposed to energy poverty. Applicants must provide detailed information about vulnerabilities and challenges faced
- Severe energy poverty often overlaps with other vulnerabilities, such as exposure to extreme climate events. The application form includes sections that require specific details about these interconnected challenges
2100.0–2400.0
Addressing severe energy poverty requires a comprehensive context analysis to inform tailored assistance requests. Local governments play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of proposed actions through resource allocation and political will.
- Understanding severe energy poverty requires recognizing that solutions cannot be fully realized within the nine-month technical assistance period. The focus should be on initiating improvements and ensuring sustainability beyond this timeframe
- A strong application should include a thorough context analysis. This helps evaluators understand the local energy poverty conditions. Applicants are encouraged to gather information from various local stakeholders to support their analysis
- The type of assistance requested must align with the context description provided in the application. This ensures that the proposed solutions address the specific needs of vulnerable consumers identified in the context analysis
- Consistency between the context analysis and the assistance request is crucial for a successful application. Evaluators will assess whether the proposed assistance logically follows from the identified needs and available resources
- In consortium applications, it is essential to clarify the roles of different members and how they will collaborate. This collaboration can enhance the analysis and improve the overall impact of the technical assistance
- Local government involvement is mandatory for applications, as their political will is vital for sustainability. It is important for local governments to allocate resources to support the implementation of the proposed actions
2400.0–2700.0
Applicants can suggest specific experts for collaboration during the technical assistance process, which will be evaluated for suitability. A series of webinars will be held to support applicants in understanding the application process and relevant national context information.
- Applicants can suggest specific experts they wish to collaborate with during the technical assistance process. The team will evaluate these suggestions to determine their suitability for the applicants needs
- It is recommended to download all relevant documents from the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub website to prepare for the application. This includes reading the application form, which provides specific guidance on how to fill it out
- Preparing the application offline is encouraged, as documents are available in both PDF and Word formats. This allows applicants to develop their proposals while being mindful of word limits and other requirements
- Submitting applications well before the deadline is advisable to avoid potential issues with the EUs submission system. Early submission can help address any technical challenges that may arise
- A series of webinars will be held over the next few weeks to support applicants. These sessions will provide insights into the application process and relevant national context information
- Specific country offices will offer dedicated office hours for applicants to discuss their questions in their national language. This ensures that local governments can receive tailored support and guidance
2700.0–3000.0
Local governments are encouraged to apply for technical assistance, requiring at least one local government in their proposals. The process involves collaboration with civil society organizations to effectively reach vulnerable consumers and collect data on energy poverty.
- Local governments are encouraged to apply for technical assistance. They must involve at least one local government in their proposals
- There is no pre-approved list of consultants for applicants to choose from. Previous experiences showed that matching proposals with the right experts is complex
- Applicants can suggest specific experts they wish to work with. The team will evaluate these suggestions based on feasibility and suitability
- The application form includes sections that provide guidance on what information to include. This includes local demographics and existing social services related to energy poverty
- Collaboration between local governments and civil society organizations is essential. This partnership is crucial for effective outreach to vulnerable consumers and for data collection
- The relationship between partners in a consortium varies based on the specific request. It also depends on the roles each organization plays in addressing energy poverty
3000.0–3300.0
Local governments are encouraged to participate in a technical assistance program aimed at enhancing communication with the European Union. The program focuses on providing expertise rather than funding for equipment, facilitating the development of strategies and campaigns.
- Local governments are encouraged to participate in the technical assistance program. Their involvement is crucial for effective communication with the European Union
- A letter of support from local governments is not required during the application phase. This aims to ease the process for applicants amid political elections
- The technical assistance program focuses on providing expertise rather than funding for equipment or goods. This ensures that resources are directed towards developing strategies and campaigns
- A senior official emphasized the importance of applying for the third call for technical assistance. They shared positive experiences from previous calls that significantly advanced energy community initiatives
- Participants were reminded to register for the newsletter. This will help them receive updates and links related to the program, ensuring they stay informed about upcoming webinars and resources
- The session aimed to clarify the rules and potential topics for applications. It highlighted the diverse areas where technical assistance can be beneficial for local governments
3300.0–3600.0
Entities owned by municipalities, such as public housing companies, can apply for technical assistance as part of a consortium. Local governments must engage in political dialogue to effectively address energy poverty within their strategies.
- Entities owned by the municipality, such as public housing companies, can apply for technical assistance as part of a consortium. However, they are not considered representatives of the local government in this context
- Engagement in political dialogue is essential for local governments across multi-level governance. This involvement is crucial for effectively addressing energy poverty within local strategies
- Questions regarding the application process should be submitted as early as possible. While requests can be made until the deadline, late submissions may not receive a response
- The call descriptions provide detailed information about the application process and eligibility criteria. It is important for applicants to review these details thoroughly to ensure compliance
- Monitoring the question and answer file is recommended for updates on submitted inquiries. This file will address common questions and provide clarity on the application process
- Attendees are encouraged to submit their applications for technical assistance. Participation in this program can provide valuable support and resources for addressing energy poverty challenges