Rural Renovation Roadmaps in 7 EU Countries

RENOVERTY launched its Rural Renovation Roadmaps, a practical guide designed to make energy-efficient renovation accessible for rural communities across the EU. As energy efficiency emerges as a key policy tool to address energy poverty, RENOVERTY’s roadmaps are helping rural homeowners improve living conditions, while contributing to the EU’s ambitious climate goals. 

These roadmaps are developed in close collaboration with Local Action Groups in seven regions, in Sveta Nedelja & Žumberak (Croatia), Tartu (Estonia), Bükk-Mak & Somló-Marcalmente-Bakonyalja Leader (Hungary), Zasavje (Slovenia), Parma (Italy), Coimbra (Portugal), and Osona (Spain). They respond to the unique challenges faced by rural areas, which are often overlooked by mainstream energy efficiency initiatives. They offer clear, practical guidance on technical, legislative, and financial options, simplifying the renovation process for energy-poor households. By tackling barriers such as complex administrative requirements, limited funding, and a lack of qualified professionals, the roadmaps enable rural homeowners to plan renovations tailored to their specific needs and budget.  

Europe’s aging building stock presents an urgent challenge: 35% of buildings are over 50 years old, and 75% remain energy inefficient, contributing to 40% of the EU’s energy use and 36% of CO₂ emissions. Rural areas face unique vulnerabilities that intensify energy poverty. Physical isolation, high poverty rates, and older, inefficient building stocks all contribute to a heightened vulnerability in rural regions. Unlike urban areas, rural households are often situated in outdated, energy-inefficient homes built before modern thermal standards were introduced in the 1970s. Many of these households also rely on high-carbon fossil fuels such as coal, heating oil, and biomass due to limited energy options. RENOVERTY’s roadmaps address these challenges, presenting actionable steps to support rural communities. 

A Tool for the Green Transition 
“With these roadmaps, we’re giving rural homeowners the tools they need to be active participants in Europe’s green transition, making sustainable renovation feasible for all communities” said Mara Oprea, Project Coordinator of RENOVERTY. 

Sergio López, project officer at the LAG Associació pel Desenvolupament rural de la Catalunya Central emphasized the long-term value of these efforts, stating, "we are not dealing with rehabilitation expenses but rather rehabilitation investments. Every euro invested in energy rehabilitation and tackling energy poverty will return to us in the future. These efforts will strengthen our economic resilience and contribute to the sustainability of our territories. While the short-term benefits might not always be immediately visible, the long-term impacts, especially in rural areas, will be significant". 

The roadmaps offer adaptable frameworks for rural municipalities to address building renovation, energy poverty, and carbon footprint reduction in ways that are both practical and community-focused. The approach of RENOVERTY, the EU LIFE funded project, prioritises co-creation with Local Action Groups and local stakeholders, ensuring that roadmaps address not only technical details but also financial and social dimensions essential for impactful renovation. 

The Rural Renovation Roadmaps align with the latest updates to the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), incorporating its goals for decarbonization and mandatory renovation milestones. By bridging legislative priorities with practical guidance, these roadmaps help rural communities transition to sustainable living while contributing to the EU's broader climate objectives and the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. 

Access the roadmaps