WEBINAR

Out of Sight, Out of Reach? Overcoming Barriers to Reach Those Who Need the Social Climate Plans the Most

28 May 2025, 11:00-13:00 CEST

Register Here

Background

As the European Union rolls out its Social Climate Plans (SCPs) under the Social Climate Fund, there is growing concern that the measures intended to address energy poverty and support vulnerable households in the green transition are not reaching those most in need. This is of particular concern, as with the upcoming ETS2, these households will be under additional pressure, if not supported on time with the right measures.

In many Member States, existing programs to support home renovations, electrification, and clean heating systems have left behind entire groups—due to housing insecurity, indebtedness, upfront costs, or poor targeting mechanisms. Civil society organisations on the ground have developed ways to bridge these gaps, but these approaches are rarely integrated into national climate strategies.

This webinar brings together practitioners, local policy analysts, and civil society organisations to ask:

Who has been left behind by existing energy poverty alleviation programs?
What common barriers prevent the most vulnerable from accessing support?
How have measures to be designed and implemented to overcome these barriers and truly target low-income and marginalised groups?
Are the ongoing public consultations on the way to reaching this goal?

Agenda

11:00 – 11:05 | Welcome and Framing

11:05 – 11:45 | Part 1: Common Barriers and Best Practices in Reaching Households in Energy Poverty & State of the SCP Consultations

Miljenka Kuhar (DOOR, Croatia) – State of the consultations in Croatia and targeting challenges in Croatia
Zsuzsanna Koritar (Habitat for Humanity Hungary) – State of consultations in Hungary, common challenges in renovation, and best practices
Michal Wojtylo (Reform Institute, Poland) – State of consultations in Poland, common challenges in heat transition measures, and cost-supportive measures for solid fuel users
Svetoslav Stoykov (Za Zemiata, Bulgaria) – State of consultations in Bulgaria, common barriers to renovation, and best practices proposed

11:45 – 12:15 | Part 2: Who Is Commonly Left Behind – And Why?

Aoife Foley (National Traveller MABS, Ireland) – Household debt and social rental schemes (example: caravan loan scheme)
Louise Lennon (Irish Rural Link) – Solid fuel users and renovation programs
Jan Milota (Czech Social Housing Platform) – Housing precarity and energy efficiency and affordability

12:15 – 12:45 | Part 3: What Can Be Done Differently? Inclusive Solutions and SCP Design

Panel discussion and audience Q&A

What models work to reach the hardest-to-reach?
How can income-supportive and structural measures be combined?
What needs to change in SCP consultations to include measures that effectively address these common barriers?
Are Member States learning from past mistakes?

12:45 – 12:55 | Concluding Reflections – Each Speaker One Recommendation

12:55 – 1:00 | Closing Remarks