Kickstarting a Community Energy Revolution: Insights from the Energy Communities Forum in Brussels

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.

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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.

Community Energy for Social Housing in Otterbeek – Finalist at the EUSEW Awards 2025!

At TANDEMS, we believe that energy communities are central to Europe’s just and sustainable energy transition. Today, we are proud to announce that both the Otterbeek Social Housing Project and Sophie Loots, two initiatives closely connected to TANDEMS, have been nominated for the 2025 European Sustainable Energy Awards! Bothnominations embody the spirit of TANDEMS — community-driven innovation, social inclusion, and tangible action on the ground.

In the Otterbeek district of Mechelen, a pioneering initiative is showing how the energy transition can be made truly inclusive. The Energy Community Co-operative Klimaan has teamed up with the City of Mechelen to equip 200 social housing units with solar panels, providing clean energy at stable, affordable prices to vulnerable households. The cooperation has been intensified in the TANDEMS project and their visionary project is now a finalist for the Local Energy Action Award.

Building a Model for the Future

The vision of the project unfolded in two phases. Solar panels will be installed on 70 homes in 2022, with a further 129 homes to follow in 2024. The €1,000,000 investment model, based on citizen contributions, demonstrates how collective action can drive local change. The close collaboration between Klimaan, the city of Mechelen and local residents has created a scalable blueprint for inclusive energy communities across Europe.

The results are impressive: nearly 1,800 solar panels generate around 700 megawatt hours of renewable electricity per year, avoiding more than 130 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. But the real success of Otterbeek lies in its wider social impact. The project has stabilised energy costs for low-income households, created local jobs and strengthened social cohesion. It has also inspired new initiatives such as volunteer-run e-bike schemes and shared electric vehicles for residents.

Real Impact: Clean Energy, Social Inclusion, and Economic Resilience

Otterbeek’s achievement goes far beyond technology. At its heart, the project is about empowering communities, combating energy poverty, and ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to clean energy. Through citizen financing, community engagement, and multilingual outreach, residents have become active participants in shaping their own energy future. Tailored strategies — like neighborhood ambassadors and door-to-door outreach — built trust and strengthened local ownership. Otterbeek shows that a just energy transition is not only possible, but that it can serve as a catalyst for stronger, more resilient societies.

Your vote can make the difference!

Both the Otterbeek project but also Sophie Loots are now in the running for the final EUSEW Awards. Voting is open until 1 June 2025, and the winners will be announced on 10 June 2025 during the EUSEW Awards Ceremony.

Support our partners and vote here:

https://interactive.eusew.eu/awards/local-energy-action/otterbeek