The Kick-off Meeting of the Energy Poverty Nexus Project took place from 3–4 September 2025 in Athens, at Impact Hub. Hosted by INZEB, co-leader of the project, the meeting brought together 17 representatives from partner organisations in Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Hungary, Germany, Belgium and Poland to discuss the project’s workload and lay the foundation for the successful implementation of its outcomes.
The aim of the project is to empower EU Member States to combat energy poverty and contribute to its alleviation by establishing or strengthening the capacity of Energy Poverty Observatories in seven pilot countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Poland, and Spain.
Capacity building, networking activities, and the development of tailored action plans and policy recommendations to support national authorities and policymakers in each pilot country are core components of the Energy Poverty Nexus Project. These efforts contribute to the overarching goal of replicating the project’s results in three additional countries through the establishment of new Energy Poverty Observatories.
On the first day of the meeting, key aspects of project management were discussed. Partners analysed the processes of stakeholder mapping and capacity building in each pilot country, and the design and establishment of the national observatories, reaching joint decisions regarding their implementation. The meeting highlighted the shared perception among partners that energy poverty observatories must become national authorities capable of delivering real and impactful action, not just symbolic gestures.
On 3 September, partners further explored the concept of Energy Poverty Observatories, sharing insights on the current state of energy poverty in each pilot country. Additionally, they engaged in interactive design-thinking sessions to express their vision for the observatories. Discussions also focused on the project’s communication and dissemination strategy, the design of energy poverty policy recommendations and the sustainability and replication plan.
The Kick-off Meeting of the Energy Poverty Nexus Project was fundamental in creating a sense of purpose among partners and establishing a clear roadmap for the project’s next steps, contributing to a joint effort towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future for all.
