LOCARBO

What is LOCARBO?

LOCARBO is an interregional cooperation project for improving low-carbon economy policies. It aims to improve  policy instruments targeting demand-driven initiatives to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewables in buildings, through innovative ways of supporting energy consumers’ behaviour change. Many of Europe's local/regional actors struggle with developing targeted, implementation-oriented policies addressing low carbon challenges. This holds particularly for energy wasting buildings irrespective of their ownership or use. Since buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption in the EU this is a highly relevant issue in the European context. The challenge to involve and motivate stakeholders (especially energy consumers) is perceived broadly as a major problem for public authorities. Motivation and awareness of consumers are of high significance to influence their behavior and support more conscious energy decisions.

Policy Change

LOCARBO is unique in focusing its activities on bottom-up initiatives and mainly because of the approach to combine and roll-out innovative practices linked to three strongly interrelated thematic pillars (services, organizational structures and technological solutions). The expected result is the development of 7 fully feasible Action Plans with the focus on improving 7 policy instruments (5 ERDF, 2 other funds) influencing EUR 100M of funds.

Interregional Learning Approach

The 7 partners from Hungary, Italy, Lithuania,Portugal, Romania and the UK are aware that regional policies on energy efficiency can only be successful if pieces of the puzzle are brought together. This is achieved through inter alia intense local stakeholder group involvement, interregional site visits and the compilation of a good practice inventory. Discover further details about the learning phase and interregional cooperation process through the LOCARBO promotional video:

Who will benefit?

By implementing the action plans an enlarged circle of end-users will benefit from making conscious decisions on energy efficiency and implementing investments using smart technologies. They will be assisted by new-type of services and innovative cooperation models promoted by local authorities.