RenoWave Project Emphasizes the Importance of Building Renovation at the EUSBSR Forum in Visby

The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) forum took place in Visby, Sweden, from October 29 to 31. This year’s forum focused on sustainability, resilience, and security. The RenoWave project highlighted the renovation of multi-family buildings in the Baltic Sea region.

The RenoWave team organized a parallel session at the forum titled “Achieving Energy Efficiency in Millions of Residential Buildings in the Baltic Sea Region.” In this session, the international RenoWave team shared their experiences with participants and policymakers, emphasizing the challenges of renovating multi-apartment buildings. The role of one-stop agencies or consultation centers in accelerating building renovations was particularly highlighted.

The European Union’s Energy Efficiency Directive for Buildings is one of the vital legislative instruments aimed at significantly increasing the pace of building renovations across Europe by 2030. It is emphasized that the EU consumes 40% of total energy and generates 36% of greenhouse gas emissions, making building renovation essential for achieving energy and climate goals.

The new directive sets emission reduction targets for buildings at the EU and national levels. By 2030, all new buildings in the EU must be zero-emission buildings. For residential buildings, EU countries will gradually renovate the entire building stock, reducing average primary energy consumption by at least 16% by 2030 and by 20-22% by 2035.

To assist residents and building managers in implementing energy efficiency measures for multi-apartment buildings, special attention is given to establishing consultation centers or one-stop agencies that help homeowners and managers access information, funding, and technical assistance more easily and quickly to promote building renovation projects.

“The building sector poses a significant challenge in Latvia, as many buildings are outdated and inefficient. By renovating a building, residents reduce energy consumption and give the building a new life, gaining comfort and a well-kept environment. In Latvia, building renovation is not just a choice; it is also a matter of safety. The one-stop shop can facilitate decision-making for residents, which is currently the biggest stumbling block,” emphasized Selīna Vancāne, Director of the Energy Financial Instruments Department at the Ministry of Economics.

Among the key panel discussion participants were S. Vancāne from the Latvian Ministry of Economics, Siim Meeliste, Project Manager at the Veru County Development Center in Estonia, and Lina Bubulyte, “Atnaujinkime miestą” International Project Manager.

S.Meeliste noted, “With the one-stop shop we developed during our project, we see that people are now more motivated and enthusiastic about creating personalized renovation plans, like a building renovation passport, for their properties. Even if financial resources are limited right now, and the building’s condition is poor, starting to think about a renovation plan can make a big difference. This proactive approach can help ensure that, in five years or so, owners are prepared and ready to undertake necessary improvements.”

Vilnius City Municipality organisation that administrates renovation services “Atnaujinkime miestą” has been operating since 2007. Organisation is a One-Stop-Shop and supports residents throughout the renovation process of multi-apartment buildings, including project management, funding acquisition, and contractor selection. The organisation aims to simplify the renovation process, increase resident awareness, and encourage participation in energy efficiency improvements. “From our experience, OSS is a successful module. The biggest challenge is convincing residents of the need for building renovation and explaining the benefits. Many are hesitant and unsure of what to expect or which improvements could be implemented. To support them, we guide the process from start to finish, providing motivation and clarity. Our marketing campaigns help reach out to residents in Vilnius. We have a great development team, and they are meeting residents on-site, addressing concerns, and focusing on enhancing building conditions, visual appeal, property value, and neighbourhood quality,” shared L. Bubulyte, “Atnaujinkime miestą” International Project Manager.

Representatives from the three Baltic States positively evaluated the expected outcome of the RenoWave project at the session in Visby, the expanded module for the one-stop agency.

The County Board of Dalarna, the project’s leading partner, organized the RenoWave session. Lead project manager Marit Ragnarsson highlighted the relevance of the RenoWave OSS extended model to other countries and regions. The module will include Data Handling Methodology, Marketing and Communication Module, Guide for Establishing Forums, and Technical Assistance Module.

For more information about the RenoWave project, visit: https://interreg-baltic.eu/project/renowave/

Prepared by: Baiba Šelkovska, Communication manager, Vidzeme Planning Region, Latvia.

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