sustainability

Energy Poverty Nexus

Energy Poverty Nexus empowers EU Member States to tackle energy poverty by building national capacity, aligning policies with EU law, and creating a sustainable monitoring framework. Through observatories in seven countries, training, peer learning, and tailored action plans, the project aims to cut energy costs, improve living conditions, and strengthen policies to protect vulnerable households.

Project duration:

September 2025 – August 2028 (36 months)

Budget:

EUR 1,8 million

Funder:

LIFE funder logo
Author: European Union
Nexus' key outputs include:
  • National Energy Poverty Observatories in 7 pilot countries to collect data, monitor indicators, and support policy design.
  • Comprehensive Energy Poverty Action Plans tailored to each participating country’s needs.
  • Policy Recommendations aligned with EU legislation to strengthen national frameworks.
  • Capacity Building & Training for policymakers, experts, and stakeholders through workshops, seminars, and peer-to-peer learning.
  • Monitoring Framework for sustainable tracking and mitigation of energy poverty.
  • Knowledge Sharing Tools to replicate project results across Europe.
University of Tartu's obligations within Nexus include:
  • Defining the Observatory’s services and sustainability plan in collaboration with stakeholders.
  • Collecting and providing data to measure and assess energy poverty.
  • Raising awareness, coordinating research, and advising on policy design.
  • Organising regular multi-agency meetings to co-create targeted measures.
  • Developing a national energy poverty policy action plan to support the most vulnerable households.
Institute of Zero Energy Buildings, Greece – coordinator
REGULATORY ASSISTANCE PROJECT, Belgium
Climate Alliance of European Cities, Germany
Society for Sustainable Development Design, Croatia
Metropolitan Research Institute, Hungary
HFH International Hungary Nonprofit Ltd., Hungary
Center for Energy Efficiency EnEffect– ENEFFECT, Bulgaria
Polish National Energy Conservation Agency (KAPE S.A.), Poland
Ecoserveis Association, Spain
DAFNI – Network of Sustainable Aegean Islands, Greece
Central Eastern European Sustainable Energy Network, Estonia

CASS members with the project

Anneli Saaroja

Team Lead

Pille Gerhold

Project Manager

Hanna Laius (on maternity leave)

Project Manager

Riin Teugijas

Financial Manager

Maria Kristiina Prass

Communication Specialist

CASS project contact
Anneli Saaroja
MA (Entrepreneurship and Technology Management)
Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies
The Centre for Applied Social Sciences (CASS)
Thematic Lead
+372 737 6373
Lossi 36–329