Energy Poverty Nexus

Energy Poverty Nexus is a European project aimed at empowering EU Member States in tackling the urgent challenge of energy poverty. By strengthening national capacities, aligning policies with EU legislation, and establishing a sustainable framework for monitoring and alleviation, the project takes a comprehensive approach to reducing energy poverty across Europe.

The project focuses on seven pilot countries, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Poland, and Spain, while extending its impact to three additional replication countries. By supporting the implementation of the EU’s Fit for 55 package, Energy Poverty Nexus will accelerate national efforts and ensure coordinated, long-term action.

At the heart of the initiative is the creation and support of energy poverty observatories/national networks of experts in the pilot countries. These observatories will:

• Collect and analyse data on energy poverty
• Monitor energy poverty indicators
• Facilitate collaboration among policymakers, experts, and stakeholders aiding national and sub-national authorities in designing and implementing targeted energy poverty alleviation schemes.

This evidence-based approach will enable national and regional authorities to design and implement targeted alleviation schemes that truly meet the needs of vulnerable households.

Beyond data and governance, capacity building and knowledge sharing are central to the project. Through training seminars, workshops, webinars, and peer-to-peer exchanges, policymakers and stakeholders will gain the tools, expertise, and networks needed to effectively combat energy poverty, not only in the pilot countries but across Europe.

Energy Poverty Nexus will also directly support national authorities in fulfilling their obligation to empower and protect energy-poor households. Tailored energy poverty action plans and policy recommendations will guide each participating country toward sustainable, impactful solutions that:

• Lower household energy costs
• Improve indoor living conditions and public health
• Enhance the quality of life for vulnerable communities
• Drive energy savings and investments in sustainable energy
• Strengthen legislative frameworks at both the national and EU levels.

By combining policy alignment, governance innovation, and capacity building, Energy Poverty Nexus is not only addressing today’s challenges – it is laying the foundation for a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable energy future across Europe.

The partners of the projects are:

• Climate Alliance (Project coordinator)
• INZEB – Initialising Energy Balance Towards Zero
• CEESEN – The Central and Eastern European Sustainable Energy Network
• EnEffect – Center for Energy Efficiency EnEffect
• DAFNI – Network of Sustainable Greek Islands
• DOOR – Society for Sustainable Development Design
• ECOSERVEIS
• Habitat for Humanity Hungary
• KAPE – Polish National Energy Conservation Agency
• Metropolitan Research Institute
• Regulatory Assistance Project  
• University of Tartu

This page was last updated on 16 September 20205. For the most updated information about the project, please visit the project page at the EC funding and portal website.