On June 11, 2025, the “Kickstarting a Community Energy Revolution” event brought together a vibrant crowd of more than 70 energy transition enthusiasts in Brussels, uniting stakeholders from five LIFE Sister Projects – COMANAGE, LIFE LOOP, LIFE BECKON, LIFE TANDEMS, and LIFE LETsGO4Climate – for an inspiring afternoon of knowledge exchange, discussion, and community building.
Held at L42 in the heart of the EU Quarter, the event provided a dynamic platform for exploring the role of energy communities in the European energy transition. With contributions from 17 countries, the forum showcased a wide range of experiences, tools and policy insights, all of which focused on empowering citizens and local authorities to take the lead in sustainable energy initiatives.
All images © Sam Glazier 2025
Roundtable Results: Ideas That Will Power the Future
The heart of the event lay in its thematic roundtable sessions. Each session delved deeply into a key challenge or opportunity for energy communities, sparking lively discussion among practitioners, policymakers and researchers. Here are some of the most notable insights:
🔹 Energy Poverty
Participants emphasised that the absence of a clear, shared definition of energy poverty continues to hinder meaningful action. The discussions focused on the need for short-term relief, such as subsidies, as well as long-term structural changes, including deep renovation, integrated district strategies and inclusive social housing. The need for compensation mechanisms and to reduce rebound effects was also highlighted as a priority.
🔹 Policy & Financial Tools
Examples from Italy, Spain, France and Belgium showed how creative financial and policy instruments can speed up the development of community energy. Practical solutions shared included social funds, microgrids, municipal roof access and bank guarantees. One key takeaway was that partnerships between municipalities and energy cooperatives, supported by policy innovation, can bridge the gap between ambition and implementation.
🔹 Energy Sharing Models
The debates clarified the differences between integrated and disaggregated energy sharing models. Although solar energy remains dominant, participants emphasised the importance of extending energy sharing to storage, efficiency and demand flexibility. There were calls for fairer pricing models, transparent markets and supportive regulation to reduce barriers to citizen participation.
🔹 The Role of Tools
The projects presented a wide array of tools, from matchmaking platforms to engagement games. However, there was one major concern: longevity. One-stop shops were suggested as a way to ensure that these tools survive beyond the lifespan of the projects. The human element was also identified as crucial: community building must precede energy community building. Trust, cultural relevance and analogue approaches remain vital.
🔹 Standards and Engagement
Although standards are important for achieving scale and implementing policy, they are insufficient to inspire public interest. It is recommended that energy conversations are reframed around values such as comfort and well-being, and that narratives are adopted which resonate with citizens’ everyday experiences.
A Celebration of Community and Collaboration
The event also featured a Sisters Library, where guests could explore the numerous publications, policy briefs and tools developed by the five projects. The afternoon concluded with a well-deserved networking cocktail, providing an opportunity to celebrate progress, forge new collaborations, and toast community energy. Key documents are available to download on the TANDEMS website.
