CEAH technical assistance programme offers tailored support for citizen energy initiatives across Europe

Over 100 energy initiatives across Europe will benefit from a new hands-on support programme designed to help citizen-centred projects thrive.  

The Citizen Energy Advisory Hub (CEAH) will launch an ambitious technical assistance (TA) programme to empower 120 European initiatives. The programme will offer tailored, expert-driven support to help projects develop, launch, and scale successfully. 

Who can benefit from the technical assistance?

Any citizen involved in energy initiatives across European Union (EU) Member States can apply to become a beneficiary of the CEAH technical assistance. This can include citizen and renewable energy communities, groups of individuals, local authorities and municipalities, small businesses, social economy actors and other trusted intermediaries.  

Beneficiaries can receive support for initiatives which can involve a variety of activities. For example, support is available for citizens looking to be more self-sufficient by producing and consuming their own energy through self-consumption. Support is also available for those who want to benefit from affordable energy prices through energy sharing schemes with neighbours, energy communities and municipalities and who wish to manage their energy consumption more carefully to maximise their energy savings through demand-side flexibility and storage. Support for education or training to empower citizens in the energy transition is also available for multiple actors, such as energy communities and municipalities, looking to engage their members and local citizens in energy projects.  

Calls for proposals 

Two competitive calls for proposals, scheduled for late 2025 and early 2026, will allow eligible citizen energy projects to apply for tailored, high-quality support. Each call will remain open for at least one month, allowing a wide range of projects and initiatives to prepare and submit their applications. 

Selected beneficiaries will receive assistance through one of three dedicated pathways, depending on their project’s stage of development: 

• Pilot pathway: for high-potential, well-developed projects ready to be launched or implemented with intensive support.
• Learner pathway: for projects in development, offering moderate support to help refine ideas and assess feasibility.
• Follower pathway: for early-stage concepts, providing light-touch guidance to shape initial project designs. 

Tailored, expert-led assistance 

At the heart of the programme is a strong emphasis on customisation. CEAH will match each beneficiary with the most suitable expert(s) based on their needs, location, and project focus.  Support will be provided starting in Spring 2026 into early 2027 and will include at least one in-person visit from their dedicated expert to help deepen understanding and build trust with local stakeholders.   

Support will be delivered across four core areas, addressing the diverse needs of potential beneficiaries: 

1. Capacity-building: support to design, launch, and professionalise citizen energy projects by offering guidance on energy-sharing, consumer protection, support schemes, and long-term skills development.
2. Investment and financial: tailored guidance on financial planning, early-stage investment, fundraising strategies, and training to boost financial literacy and confidence.
3. Advisory support: assistance with technical and technology design, regulatory frameworks, digital solutions, and communication strategies to ensure well-rounded project development.
4. Stakeholder engagement: support with inclusive community involvement through citizen dialogues, behavioural insights, and targeted engagement of vulnerable or underrepresented groups. 

All beneficiaries will participate in a twinning programme to foster peer-to-peer learning by linking projects across countries and at different stages of development. Through regular exchange, joint activities, and expert-facilitated discussions, beneficiaries will gain valuable insights from their peers while expanding their European networks. 

Details on how to apply, eligibility criteria, and important dates will be published on the website and shared via the CEAH newsletter. 

Spreading the word: awareness-raising events across Europe  

To raise awareness and boost programme accessibility, CEAH will host a series of awareness-raising events across Europe, designed to engage local and national stakeholders interested in launching or growing citizen energy projects. 

These events will include: 

• An EU-level virtual information session: conducted in English and made accessible in all 24 EU languages. It will introduce the CEAH initiative, outline the calls for proposals and experts, and include a live Q&A.
• National information webinars: held in local languages. These sessions will include presentations, interactive Q&A, and a clear breakdown of the technical assistance application process.
• Participation in external events: CEAH representatives will speak at relevant conferences and stakeholder meetings across Europe to raise awareness, share best practices, and promote participation in the calls for proposals. 

The goal of these sessions is not only to inform, but to empower, helping stakeholders understand the value of citizen energy, navigate the application process, and connect with the wider CEAH community. These events will offer clarity, guidance, and direct pathways to get involved. 

Information about when and where these sessions will take place and how to register will be published on the CEAH website and shared via the newsletter.