The first step of the project was to analyse the pilots, resulting in 6 reports on the situation in the pilot sites. Two key reports were finalised, one on the analysis of experiences and lessons learned in previous EU projects and one on the analysis of financial schemes for energy poverty from gender perspective. 203 local actors and stakeholders were mobilised to take part in the project implementation.
In the second step, a set of 19 different training materials was developed. 28 training sessions and workshops were implemented to share the existing know-how and experiences among the partners. Partners then implemented over 34 further training events mainly for local actors, sharing know-how and experience with 527 (297 women) key actors.
Equipped with knowledge, the partners and their local allies started to implement the practical activities for tackling energy poverty. 127 collective assemblies were implemented, directly involving 2381 people (1502 women) in peer-to-peer manner of resolving difficulties because of energy poverty and indirectly impacting 5294 people (including the members of the family or household). 690 visits of households (462 for women-led households), affected by energy poverty, were done, delivering a simple energy audit and implementing low-cost energy and water saving measures. Indirectly this action impacted 1811 people. In the field of do-it-yourself energy solutions, 40 different events were implemented (3 photovoltaic workshops, 17 low cost measures workshops and 20 smart-meter readings), supporting 356 people, of whom 233 women. The indirect impact of this action is estimated to be on 962 people. 37 health workshops were organised, supporting 344 people (235 women), in tackling their health issues and energy poverty situation. Finally, 141 people (96 women), were supported in accessing funds for small investments through assessing feasibility and providing support for applying for funds for small investments.
To monitor the implementation of these measures, framework for data collection and analysis was developed, as well as a set of data collection tools and manuals. Analysis of the implemented actions was done, comparing the actions and assessing which played a stronger role under different circumstances in tackling energy poverty. Additionally, a cross-pilot analysis researched into the achievements of the practical actions and juxtaposed them against the three cross-cutting themes of the project – women, health and summertime energy poverty.
Findings on energy poverty were translated into appropriate policy recommendations. 6 national level and 1 EU level policy recommendation sets were developed. Variety of advocacy activities at local, national and EU level were advocating for energy poverty policy solutions among 4,305 key actors to tackle energy poverty (250 representatives of utilities, 229 health experts, 2421 decision-makers, 586 energy (poverty) experts and 814 social actors).
Finally, the communication and dissemination of the project was very successful: over 21,600 views of the website, project presented on over 80 occasions (outreach to 238.000 people), just under 300 media appearances were spotted (outreach to just under 55 million people) and over 850 social media posts covered the project (over 483,000 views and 16,000 interactions). The project was also presented to different EU-level networks on 12 occasions, reaching out to over 5,000 people. Finally, EmpowerMed was presented in 19 academic articles and other scientific work.
