Financing sustainable energy: Finding your way
About
Cities often find it challenging to find their way through the complex maze of EU funding streams, programmes and mechanisms.
Two new tools should help.
The European Commission and the European Investment Bank have jointly developed the Fi-compass platform, which provides advisory services on financial instruments under the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and microfinance under the Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI).
Fi-compass is designed to support ESIF managing authorities, EaSI microfinance providers and other interested parties, by providing practical know-how and learning tools on financial instruments. These will include “how-to” manuals, factsheets for quick reference, e-learning modules, face-to-face training seminars and networking events.
Furthermore, the Covenant of Mayors’ Quick Reference Guideon “Financing Opportunities for Local Sustainable Energy 2014-2020” should provide some initial food for thought!
This short guide outlines financing funds, programmes and schemes in a matrix format, making financing opportunities easy to find for Covenant Signatories and Coordinators.
More information on other funding instruments
Financing energy transition in cities
10 European cities are rethinking financing solutions for energy refurbishment of public and private residentail buildings throught the INFINITE Solutions project.
- Agueda (PT), Almada (PT), Udine (IT), Koprivnica (HR) – are committed to implement sustainable energy measures in the public sector. They will create a revolving fund linked to internal contracting (intracting) financing scheme already tested in the city of Stuttgart (DE).
- Brussels-Capital Region (BE), Frederikshavn (DK), Riga (LV), Parma (IT) and CU Bordeaux (FR) – are committed to implement actions in the private residential sector (mainly condominiums). They will create a revolving fund linked to soft loans financing scheme.
Between March 2014 and February 2017, eleven Energy Cities’ members will carry out peer coaching activities aiming at developing the expertise of local staff and at replicating two proved financing schemes.
www.energy-cities.eu/infinitesolutions
© photos: shutterstock
