In mid-November, our colleagues João Gonçalves and Diana Yordanova travelled to Milan to see how our network is turning the idea of an energy community into everyday reality. Within our EU-funded SocialNRG project, which we are coordinating, these visits are essential to understanding genuine, community-led transition.
Across SOCIALNRG pilots in Italy, Slovenia, and Belgium, residents show that incentives matter far less than respect, transparency, and continuity. Households are motivated by comfort and fairness, not abstract sustainability slogans. They want warm homes, clear rules, and tangible proof their efforts matter.
UniAbita’s coop, founded in 1903, manages 3,000 homes. Renovations and changes are debated collectively, with each building sending a representative. Residents know how decisions are made and who represents them, which transforms participation, it feels informed, confident, and constructive rather than defensive.
Even here, with strong social cohesion, co-creation only works when built on trust.
UniAbita has explored energy communities for years, installing PV panels on many roofs. But new Italian legislation now allows only new PV installations. Together with ènostra, the cooperative is navigating technical and financial constraints: suitable roofs, fire regulations, building consumption, and funding options. Loans could spread costs over eight to ten years, but interest rates are a concern. For now, the plan is to start small, prove the model works, and grow once residents see the benefits.