Periodic Reporting for period 3 - WELLBASED (Improving health, wellbeing and equality by evidenced-based urban policies for tackling energy poverty)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-03-01 al 2025-02-28
Energy poverty is becoming a main challenge of the European welfare systems, increasing the inequalities derived from living conditions and social determinants, with a direct impact on health and wellbeing (e.g. respiratory diseases, heart attacks, stroke and mental disorders such as anxiety or depression).
The complex nature of this recently identified phenomenon requires a multidimensional approach, which should involve environmental, political, social, regulatory and psychological issues.
Based on the socio ecological model and on the realist evaluation approach, WELLBASED (WB) has designed, implemented and evaluated comprehensive urban programmes to reduce energy poverty and its effects on health and wellbeing, in 6 different pilot cities (Edirne, Heerlen, Jelgava, Leeds, Obuda and Valencia) and one observer city (Skopje). Programmes included individual (behavioural) actions, improvement of living conditions, community-building actions and promotion of social-political actions that include health in all policies. In addition, WB is part of the European cluster on urban health. Policy Recommendations have been issued focused on bridging health and energy poverty fields in the design of urban programs, advocating for the inclusion of energy poverty as a public health issue.
The complex nature of this recently identified phenomenon requires a multidimensional approach, which should involve environmental, political, social, regulatory and psychological issues.
Based on the socio ecological model and on the realist evaluation approach, WELLBASED (WB) has designed, implemented and evaluated comprehensive urban programmes to reduce energy poverty and its effects on health and wellbeing, in 6 different pilot cities (Edirne, Heerlen, Jelgava, Leeds, Obuda and Valencia) and one observer city (Skopje). Programmes included individual (behavioural) actions, improvement of living conditions, community-building actions and promotion of social-political actions that include health in all policies. In addition, WB is part of the European cluster on urban health. Policy Recommendations have been issued focused on bridging health and energy poverty fields in the design of urban programs, advocating for the inclusion of energy poverty as a public health issue.
All project objectives were achieved through eight interconnected Work Packages (WPs):
• WP1 (Project Management) ensured progress using handbooks, procedures, and different communication channels. The External Advisory Board met twice (in person) and provided valuable input. Seven consortium meetings were held, and the project actively engaged in the Urban Health Cluster, including eight months of leadership and webinars organisation.
• WP2 (Urban programme framework) and WP3 (Pilot implementation) supported six cities in developing and deploying urban programmes based on a shared framework. Activities ranged from energy audits and training to home rehabilitation, benefiting over 500 participants. A monitoring strategy tracked progress, and data collection aligned with the evaluation framework designed in RP1 (WP4).
• WP4 (Evaluation and data analysis) enabled data collection via platforms like E-Nquest and Smart City Monitor, with storage in the WELLBASED repository. Final analyses (D4.3 D4.5) examined the health vulnerabilities of people experiencing Energy Poverty (EP), assessed intervention effects, and deepened understanding of affected populations.
• WP5 (Policy, scale-up, transferability) included two major events: the End of Energy Poverty Forum (Brussels, M46) and the WELLBASED Final Event (Valencia, M48). Policy recommendations (D5.5) were presented, along with four online knowledge transfer sessions. The WELLBASED Manifesto gained support from 13 cities. Key deliverables (D5.1 D5.2) explored financial models and replicability, respectively.
• WP6 (Communication, dissemination, exploitation) achieved broad visibility via website, social media, and active participation in around 30 events. Six hackathons engaged +145 participants. The scientific committee published three articles, with six more in progress. Additionally, an exploitation plan (D6.3) was shared with partners.
• WP7 (Ethics and data protection) and WP8 (Ethics requirements) ensured ethical and legal compliance. A final study protocol was registered, along with ethical reports, a Data Management Plan, and a Joint Controllership Agreement (JCA). Data will follow FAIR principles when a safe environment will allow open sharing. Internal audits were conducted and improvement areas shared.
• WP1 (Project Management) ensured progress using handbooks, procedures, and different communication channels. The External Advisory Board met twice (in person) and provided valuable input. Seven consortium meetings were held, and the project actively engaged in the Urban Health Cluster, including eight months of leadership and webinars organisation.
• WP2 (Urban programme framework) and WP3 (Pilot implementation) supported six cities in developing and deploying urban programmes based on a shared framework. Activities ranged from energy audits and training to home rehabilitation, benefiting over 500 participants. A monitoring strategy tracked progress, and data collection aligned with the evaluation framework designed in RP1 (WP4).
• WP4 (Evaluation and data analysis) enabled data collection via platforms like E-Nquest and Smart City Monitor, with storage in the WELLBASED repository. Final analyses (D4.3 D4.5) examined the health vulnerabilities of people experiencing Energy Poverty (EP), assessed intervention effects, and deepened understanding of affected populations.
• WP5 (Policy, scale-up, transferability) included two major events: the End of Energy Poverty Forum (Brussels, M46) and the WELLBASED Final Event (Valencia, M48). Policy recommendations (D5.5) were presented, along with four online knowledge transfer sessions. The WELLBASED Manifesto gained support from 13 cities. Key deliverables (D5.1 D5.2) explored financial models and replicability, respectively.
• WP6 (Communication, dissemination, exploitation) achieved broad visibility via website, social media, and active participation in around 30 events. Six hackathons engaged +145 participants. The scientific committee published three articles, with six more in progress. Additionally, an exploitation plan (D6.3) was shared with partners.
• WP7 (Ethics and data protection) and WP8 (Ethics requirements) ensured ethical and legal compliance. A final study protocol was registered, along with ethical reports, a Data Management Plan, and a Joint Controllership Agreement (JCA). Data will follow FAIR principles when a safe environment will allow open sharing. Internal audits were conducted and improvement areas shared.
WELLBASED has made substantial progress beyond the state of the art by addressing a critical knowledge gap: the intersection of energy poverty and health. The project has explored the potential of targeted interventions in energy-poor households to improve health outcomes—an area that has received limited attention in previous EU projects. By integrating policy, technical, and social dimensions, WELLBASED contributes a novel and interdisciplinary perspective that lays the groundwork for future research and action in this field. Our policy work (D5.5 and the 7 Policy Briefs), solution catalogue (D5.2) and financial models (D5.1) offer replicable, scalable pathways for future implementation and policy action across the EU.
During the project, we organised multiple high-impact events, both online (capacity-building webinars, End of Energy Poverty! Forum sessions, replication-focused workshops, etc.) and in-person (Right to Energy Forum! in Brussels, WELLBASED Final Event, Urban Health Cluster Final Event). These served to disseminate findings, engage policymakers, and strengthen stakeholder networks. The WELLBASED Manifesto campaign, with 13 city signatories and growing interest from others such as Barcelona, reflects strong municipal commitment to the project's vision.
All pilot cities hosted hackathons that engaged local communities, universities, and start-ups to co-create solutions. Additional final events were held locally to celebrate pilot achievements and foster lasting community engagement. We also participated in around 30 conferences and events, reinforcing the project's reach across scientific, political, and civil society audiences.
Extensive dissemination through our website, social media, podcasts, and press has increased visibility and uptake. As a result, WELLBASED has:
- Positioned itself as a leading EU initiative at the intersection of health and energy poverty;
- Informed and influenced policy and research communities;
- Contributed to public awareness of the Right to Energy and Right to Health as interconnected issues.
Even after the official end of the project, dissemination continues—e.g. in the COST Action General Assembly or Right to Energy Coalition meeting. Equally, our outputs remain accessible and are being used by multipliers.
Key impacts are already emerging, as actors from both the health and energy sectors begin to engage more closely around shared challenges. Health-focused stakeholders are increasingly contributing to discussions on energy poverty, while institutions and advocacy networks traditionally focused on energy policy are expressing interest in deeper collaboration with health counterparts. These developments signal early but meaningful shifts toward greater cross-sectoral alignment and policy integration.
Looking forward, partners are exploring individual exploitation roadmaps (D6.3) to sustain impact: some pilot interventions have been scaled-up and incorporated as a long-term projects (e.g. Citizen school for the Right to Energy led by the Energy Office of Valencia), further development of hackathon-generated solutions tailored for scale, or potential synergies are emerging such as collaboration on integrated data spaces. These efforts are expected to reinforce WELLBASED's legacy by bridging innovation with real-world application and deepening socio-economic and health equity across Europe.
During the project, we organised multiple high-impact events, both online (capacity-building webinars, End of Energy Poverty! Forum sessions, replication-focused workshops, etc.) and in-person (Right to Energy Forum! in Brussels, WELLBASED Final Event, Urban Health Cluster Final Event). These served to disseminate findings, engage policymakers, and strengthen stakeholder networks. The WELLBASED Manifesto campaign, with 13 city signatories and growing interest from others such as Barcelona, reflects strong municipal commitment to the project's vision.
All pilot cities hosted hackathons that engaged local communities, universities, and start-ups to co-create solutions. Additional final events were held locally to celebrate pilot achievements and foster lasting community engagement. We also participated in around 30 conferences and events, reinforcing the project's reach across scientific, political, and civil society audiences.
Extensive dissemination through our website, social media, podcasts, and press has increased visibility and uptake. As a result, WELLBASED has:
- Positioned itself as a leading EU initiative at the intersection of health and energy poverty;
- Informed and influenced policy and research communities;
- Contributed to public awareness of the Right to Energy and Right to Health as interconnected issues.
Even after the official end of the project, dissemination continues—e.g. in the COST Action General Assembly or Right to Energy Coalition meeting. Equally, our outputs remain accessible and are being used by multipliers.
Key impacts are already emerging, as actors from both the health and energy sectors begin to engage more closely around shared challenges. Health-focused stakeholders are increasingly contributing to discussions on energy poverty, while institutions and advocacy networks traditionally focused on energy policy are expressing interest in deeper collaboration with health counterparts. These developments signal early but meaningful shifts toward greater cross-sectoral alignment and policy integration.
Looking forward, partners are exploring individual exploitation roadmaps (D6.3) to sustain impact: some pilot interventions have been scaled-up and incorporated as a long-term projects (e.g. Citizen school for the Right to Energy led by the Energy Office of Valencia), further development of hackathon-generated solutions tailored for scale, or potential synergies are emerging such as collaboration on integrated data spaces. These efforts are expected to reinforce WELLBASED's legacy by bridging innovation with real-world application and deepening socio-economic and health equity across Europe.