As part of the SMAFIN Expanded project, INZEB organised and implemented, with the support of project partners, the first Cross-Country Lab, held during the C4E Forum in Cavtat, Croatia, in May 2025.
This Cross-Country Lab brought together stakeholders from Central and Eastern European countries to explore concrete ways to improve the financing environment for energy efficiency renovations, particularly in the residential building sector. The Lab focused on the strategic use of public support, the design and scaling of One-Stop Shops (OSS), and the mobilisation of private finance through blended instruments and de-risking mechanisms.
Key topics addressed included:
- The design and implementation of OSS models as local renovation support hubs
- The use of guarantees, portfolio schemes, and green finance instruments
- The role of equity and the inclusion of vulnerable groups in financing frameworks
- Policy, regulatory and market conditions needed to upscale renovation
The factsheet produced from this event summarises the key outcomes of the discussions, compares approaches across the countries, and offers targeted insights to support national-level replication and alignment with European policy priorities, such as the Green Deal, the Fit for 55 package, and the EU Renovation Wave.
This factsheet is part of SMAFIN Expanded’s broader objective to strengthen evidence-based policy dialogue between national stakeholders and to promote the use of innovative, inclusive, and scalable financing mechanisms.
Access the full factsheet here.
For more information on SMAFIN Expanded activities and events, visit: www.smafin.eu