Events

Study visits on Social solutions to the energy crisis | 19 October| 10:00 – 12:00 |Online|

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With the rising energy prices in Europe due to the supply cuts for the Russian war in Ukraine, the increasing signs of the climate crisis showing the urgency of a green transition, civil society, non-profit social service providers and social economy enterprises continue to develop innovative solutions to foster the transition to greener energies while contributing to improving living conditions and access to social rights.

To find out more about this work, we invite you to register here for our virtual study visits. Taking place online on the 19 October 2022 10:00 – 12:00. Our members (The international Union of tenants (IUT), Caritas Europa and Housing Europe) will host three study visits to showcase good examples of how civil society is providing solutions on fair energy transition and climate justice, contributing also to improving living conditions and social rights. For this aim, the European Responsible Housing Initiative and its Awards will also be presented.

The themes of the three study visits are:
1. Bertelotte student residence – through transforming an unused office building, Paris Habitat created the Bertelotte student residence, which, using innovative construction practices contributing to the achievements of climate commitments, tackled the issue of housing affordability for students. It also improves their living conditions and reduces isolation by offering large common spaces and accommodation at affordable prices. The project is estimated to have reduced the building’s carbon footprint by 125 tons of CO2.

2. Caritas Germany’s project “Stromspar-Check”, is a joint initiative by the Caritas Germany and the Association of Energy and Climate Protection Agencies in Germany. Stromspar-Check (which means Energy saving checks) is an example of how social organisations can combine social work with climate protection. The initiative has several goals. On the one hand, electricity consumption in low-income households shall be minimised in order to reduce their financial burden. Simultaneously, long-term unemployed people are given the chance to re-enter the workforce as Stromspar support workers. The initiative makes an important contribution to the environment and climate protection.

3. Lloguem!/ Yes We Rent! – Leveraging vacant private property to build up a cooperative affordable housing scheme, the Mataró City Council (Spain) was able to address the necessity to transition to greener energy in the building sector while creating an affordable housing scheme to respond to the housing crisis. The project aims at generating an accessible housing stock targeting low-to-medium income households using properties that have been left empty and off the market. With the offer of guaranteed rent and financial and organisational support to renovate their properties, the project incentives risk-averse owners to rent to the affordable housing scheme at below-market prices, therefore ensuring affordability.

The study visits will give you a virtual tour of these projects and a chance to ask questions to the beneficiaries and the professionals delivering these services.

Register now to secure your spot.

For any information please write to laura.debonfils@socialplatform.org