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German Roundtables on Energy Efficiency in Homeowner Associations

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GREEN Home (German Roundtables on Energy Efficiency in Homeowner Associations)

Reporting period: 2021-10-01 to 2024-09-30

The problem being addressed by the GREEN Home project is the low rate and depth of energy-efficient renovations within German homeowner associations (HOAs), particularly in buildings constructed between 1949 and 1990. Despite the significant potential for energy savings in this sector, HOAs undertake such renovations less frequently due to collective decision-making challenges and other obstacles.

This issue is important for society for several reasons:
1. Climate Change Mitigation: Energy-efficient renovations reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, contributing to efforts to mitigate climate change. Germany, like many other countries, has committed to ambitious climate neutrality goals, and reducing emissions from buildings is crucial to achieving these targets.
2. Energy Savings: Energy-efficient renovations lead to lower energy consumption in buildings, resulting in cost savings for homeowners and reducing reliance on fossil fuels for heating and electricity. This not only benefits individual homeowners but also contributes to energy security at the national level.
3. Health and Comfort: Energy-efficient renovations often involve improvements to insulation, ventilation, and heating systems, which can enhance indoor air quality and thermal comfort for residents. This is particularly important for multi-family housing where many people live in close proximity.
4. Economic Stimulus: The renovation sector represents a significant economic opportunity, creating jobs and driving innovation in building technologies and materials. By promoting energy-efficient renovations, the GREEN Home project can stimulate economic growth while addressing environmental and social challenges.

The overall objectives of the GREEN Home project are:
1. Facilitating stakeholder dialogue and networking to promote knowledge transfer and collaboration among relevant parties, particularly regarding financing and management structures for energy refurbishment in HOAs.
2. Developing financing instruments tailored to the needs of German HOAs, drawing on successful examples from Germany and other European countries.
3. Supporting ongoing exchange and knowledge transfer at both national and European levels to encourage collaboration and shared learning in the field of energy-efficient renovations.
4. Identifying and addressing obstacles hindering energy-efficient renovations in HOAs, particularly in multi-family houses, and developing innovative financing tools to overcome these challenges.
5. Encouraging the initiation of pilot projects to demonstrate the benefits of financing instruments and attract energy-efficient investments from HOAs and property managers.

Overall, the GREEN Home project aims to accelerate the rate of energy-efficient refurbishment in HOAs, thereby contributing to Germany's climate neutrality goals and promoting sustainability in the building sector.
Regular bi-monthly web meetings facilitated project coordination, leading to the successful completion of key deliverables, including the submission of the first amendment involving DENEFF EDL_Hub. Extensive research covered financing models, construction requirements, HOA legislation, and communication strategies for energy-efficient refurbishments. This resulted in the development of criteria for feasible renovations and the creation of national personas to enhance stakeholder engagement.

A comprehensive stakeholder database was established and regularly updated, supporting ongoing dialogue on energy efficiency in HOAs. A national round table fostered sustainable collaboration, and project newsletters ensured continuous information flow. Best practices were identified and disseminated, complemented by three HOA networking events in target regions to strengthen knowledge exchange.

Preparations advanced for workshops designed to establish business and financing models, building on insights from earlier stakeholder discussions. The production of three renovation roadmaps tailored to HOA needs is underway. Additionally, participation in external events and conferences enhanced project visibility, while preparations for the national InfoPoint progressed to support broader outreach.
The GREEN Home project maintains the validity of its 5 Objectives and Means of Verification outlined in the GA. In the initial 18 months, the project primarily focused on:
1. Initiating dialogue with key stakeholders to identify refurbishment challenges in German HOAs and develop tailored financing instruments leveraging best practices.
2. Establishing a platform for stakeholder dialogue and networking to promote collaboration among relevant parties.
3. Conducting a comprehensive mapping of relevant initiatives and good practices.

Expected results by project completion include:
1. Increased renovation rate and depth in HOAs through tailored financing instruments and pilot projects.
2. Development of financing instruments specifically tailored to HOAs' needs.
3. Facilitation of knowledge transfer and capacity building among stakeholders.
4. Strengthened stakeholder collaboration through established structures.
5. Establishment of a national InfoPoint to disseminate information about funding opportunities.

Additionally, the project aims to address energy poverty within HOAs by promoting energy-efficient renovations and providing tailored financing instruments, enhancing social equity and economic growth while promoting sustainability in the housing sector.
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