Deploying collective self retrofit practice to lower cost of deep energy retrofit in multifamily buildings

2026-07-22

"Deploying collective self retrofit practices to lower cost of deep energy retrofit in multifamily buildings & to empower positive Neighborhood transformation The real solution to get families out of energy poverty forever is to deliver deep energy retrofits of their homes. However people in energy poverty cannot afford such retrofit works without massive subsidies. In vulnerable districts, some people have time but not much money. Some are unemployed, or have low paid jobs and would want to get trained for a new job. Up to now, to maintain urban quality in places where budget for maintenance is limited, schemes were set such as cut-the-grass / vacuum-the-corridor in exchange for housing bill discounts. Some initiatives of self-retrofit of housing have emerged in the EU, but only in individual housing for now, not in collective housing, this is an axis to work on to lower cost of energy retrofits. This is not the only leverage to activate but we do believe it could lower cost of retrofits by about 15%, support inhabitants finding green new jobs and create a collective sense of pride & a very positive urban mood. Inhabitants would not do ""everything by themselves"" but work in a synchronised way with architects & craftsmen that would supervise them, in strong connection with local authorities. To explore and deploy that approach, a consortium of partners from 5 countries (FR, NL, DE, LT, ES) will work to develop: 1. Dedicated tasks & skills diagnosis tools to assess potential of a building to be retrofitted that way for different retrofit scenario 2. Training to teach inhabitants on how to do it with 3 pilot sites in FR, DE & ES 3. Improved business model, financing scheme & governance to leverage new source of funding such as unemployment or educational fund to finance the project and share in a fair way cost & benefit. Lessons will be learned & results will be shared to scale up the approach and activate widely that leverage for more affordable retrofits. Let's Renew it!"

France

2026-03-01