EmpowerMed

More than 50 million European households are struggling with energy poverty – struggling to adequately heat or cool their homes, pay electricity bills on time and avoid damp and mould caused by a lack of heating in the home. Even though energy poverty is considered a political priority by the EU institutions, there are some gaps in their efforts. It is not adequately taken into account that women are disproportionately affected by energy poverty, that there are clear links between energy poverty and health, and that lack of cooling is also problematic.

What we are doing

Energy poverty can be found all over Europe – but the countries of Southern and Eastern Europe are more greatly affected, due to the general economic situation, the nature of buildings and the requirement to adequately cool homes in the hot summer months. This is where EmpowerMED (“Empowering women to take action against energy poverty in the Mediterranean”) comes in, a Horizon2020 project we are implementing with European partners, bringing our expertise in gender, health and renewable energy solutions.

Together with other NGOs, universities and research institutes, we will implement practical solutions to enable households affected by energy poverty to better plan their energy consumption and provide access to affordable and renewable energy sources. Through awareness-raising measures, the implementation of energy-efficient practices, the establishment of energy cooperatives and the empowerment of women, energy poverty will be combated, thus also improving the health situation of those affected. In addition, joint recommendations for local, national and EU politicians will be formulated and presented at conferences.

Countries

Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Italy, Spain, France

Partners

Associació Catalana d’Enginyeria Sense Fronteres, Drustvo Za Oblikovanje Odrzivog, Focus Drustvo Za Sonaraven Razvoj, Fundacio Institut De Recera De L’energia De Catalaunya, GERES Europe Mediterranean, Milieukontakt, SOGESCA s.r.l., Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona

Timeline

September 2019 – August 2023

Donors