Energy / Europe
EPAH Technical Assistance Overview
The webinar introduces the third call for technical assistance from the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH), emphasizing the importance of addressing energy poverty within local governments. The Covenant of Mayors, a European Commission initiative, supports local authorities in achieving sustainable energy and climate action goals, now mandating the integration of energy poverty into their plans.
Source material: EPAH Technical Assistance - 3rd Call Info Session with Covenant of Mayors (9 February 2026)
Summary
The webinar introduces the third call for technical assistance from the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH), emphasizing the importance of addressing energy poverty within local governments. The Covenant of Mayors, a European Commission initiative, supports local authorities in achieving sustainable energy and climate action goals, now mandating the integration of energy poverty into their plans.
Participants learn about the resources and support available through EPAH, including user-friendly materials and guidance for local governments. The session highlights the experiences of Besson Son, a municipality that has successfully implemented a community-based program to tackle energy poverty since 2013.
Collaboration between different departments within local governments is crucial for effectively addressing energy poverty. A diagnosis conducted in Besson Son revealed a lower energy poverty ratio than previously thought, prompting a reassessment of priorities and the need for improved financing tools.
The technical assistance program aims to provide tailored support to local governments, helping them navigate challenges related to limited resources and data availability. The upcoming call for proposals encourages municipalities to apply for assistance in developing action plans and implementing strategies to combat energy poverty.
Perspectives
Overview of the EPAH technical assistance program and its implications for local governments.
Support for Energy Poverty Initiatives
- Encourages local governments to integrate energy poverty into their climate action plans
- Highlights the importance of collaboration between departments to address energy poverty
- Promotes the use of tailored technical assistance to navigate challenges in local contexts
- Emphasizes the need for context analysis to inform effective action plans
Challenges in Implementation
- Questions the capacity of local governments to effectively utilize technical assistance
- Raises concerns about the variability in local government expertise and resources
- Notes the reliance on municipalities to sustain progress beyond initial support periods
Neutral / Shared
- Describes the resources and support available through EPAH for local governments
- Outlines the application process for the technical assistance program
- Mentions the importance of networking among local authorities to share successful strategies
Metrics
signatures
11,000 units
number of signatories to the Covenant of Mayors
This indicates a significant commitment from local authorities across Europe.
we have about 11,000 signatures as we speak
member_states
27 units
number of EU member states represented
This shows the broad geographical reach of the initiative.
they come from all 27 member states
other
less than 10%
percentage of beneficiaries who are private owners
This indicates a significant gap in support for private homeowners facing energy poverty.
less than 10% of our beneficiaries are private owners
other
five organizations units
the number of organizations in the EPAH initiative
This indicates a collaborative effort to tackle energy poverty.
we are a team of five organizations
other
multiple solutions
the variety of solutions available across Europe
Diversity in solutions can enhance the effectiveness of addressing energy poverty.
there are multiple solutions multiple options to address energy poverty
duration
nine months
duration of technical assistance support
This timeframe sets a limit on the immediate impact of the assistance provided.
the technical assistance need to be seen as a kick start and a support to broader the view but due to it is it's a shape of technical assistance and the duration of nine months
proposals
50 proposals units
total number of proposals receiving support
This indicates the scale of the initiative's outreach.
a total of 50 proposals this 50 proposal as said will receive the tailored support
support_duration
up to nine months
maximum duration of support available
This flexibility allows for tailored assistance based on applicant needs.
the maximum it's up to nine months
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
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
05:00–10:00
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
10:00–15:00
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
15:00–20:00
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
20:00–25:00
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
25:00–30:00
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