RenoWave Partners Meet in Dalarna to Explore Sustainable Housing Solutions

In June, the international partners of the RenoWave project gathered in the Dalarna region, Sweden, for a transnational working group dedicated to exploring sustainable renovation practices, smart energy solutions, and effective community engagement in multi-apartment buildings. Hosted by the County board of Dalarna, the visit provided an inspiring insight into how long-term vision, innovation, and cooperation with residents can drive the transition toward climate-neutral housing.

A key highlight of the visit was the stop in Falun, where the partners met with residents and board members of the homeowner association ”Promenaden” having two five-storey apartment buildings that have undergone ambitious energy improvements. Today, 90% of the buildings’ heating needs are met using solar panels and heat pumps — a result of well-planned investments and a shared commitment to sustainability.

The buildings are also equipped with a range of smart and sustainable solutions, including:

• Heat recovery systems that capture excess heat from ventilation and waste water,

• A digital app that displays real-time data on solar energy production,

• Information boards in the entrance halls showing up-to-date figures on energy consumption and solar generation, along with notices and updates — including one welcoming the RenoWave team.

Building board representative Jans Bergs shared the story behind these changes:

“Several years ago, we looked at projections for future energy bills and began thinking about how we could reduce costs, especially for district heating. We sought expert advice and made sure all board members understood our vision and the reasons behind it. Throughout the process, communication and trust among residents played a crucial role.”

Beyond the local examples, the visit also gave partners a chance to learn about the Dalarna region’s climate and energy strategy, which outlines the pathway toward climate neutrality by 2045. The strategy focuses on areas such as:

• building energy efficiency,

• local renewable energy,

• sustainable mobility,

• circular economy,

• climate education.

This meeting provided RenoWave partners with valuable insights into how Swedish housing cooperatives successfully engage residents in long-term renovation efforts. The experience gained during the visit will support partners in further developing and implementing their own One-Stop Shop (OSS) concepts — tailored approaches that aim to simplify and support energy renovation processes in multi-apartment buildings across different regions. The inspiration from Dalarna will help strengthen OSS activities by integrating practical, people-centered solutions and fostering trust-based collaboration with building residents.

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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