Belgian social housing energy initiative wins 2025 European Sustainable Energy Awards

The Community Energy for Social Housing initiative in Otterbeek, Mechelen, which works with the local community to provide renewable energy access to vulnerable tenants, has won the 2025 European Sustainable Energy Award in the Local Energy Action category.

The Belgian initiative came first in an online public vote, receiving the award at the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) awards ceremony on 10 June in Brussels.

The project developed a EUR 1 million investment model funded through citizen contributions, working with residents to equip 200 housing units with solar panels and deliver clean energy at below-market rates. The installations produce an estimated 683 000 kWh of renewable energy a year, equivalent to 130 tons of CO₂ emissions.

'By demonstrating how social inclusion can accelerate the clean energy transition, we advocate policies that support energy sharing, community-driven renewable projects, and affordable access to clean energy for low-income households,' says Bart De Bruyne, Energy Sharing Expert at the City of Mechelen.

Community Energy for Social Housing was one of three finalists shortlisted for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2025 in the Local Energy Action category. The award recognises implemented sustainable energy actions, driven by a group of citizens or consumers, which contribute to the clean energy transition at the community or local level. It also inspires and motivates others to implement similar steps for an EU-wide deployment, resulting in economic and environmental benefits. 

The other finalists in this category were Amiestas in Lithuania and proKlima in Germany. ​

Amiestas is a public non-profit institution operating a one-stop-shop (OSS) for energy-efficient renovations in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. proKlima is a public-private partnership funding clean energy projects around Hanover.

The European Sustainable Energy Awards recognise outstanding individuals and projects for their innovation and efforts in energy efficiency and renewables. The nine finalists were selected by a high-level jury in three categories – Innovation, Local Energy Action, and Woman in Energy – before being submitted to an online public vote. ​ ​ ​ 

EUSEW 2025 

European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the​ biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, takes place on 10-12 June under the theme of ‘Powering a fair and competitive green transition’. The event brings together public authorities, industry, NGOs and consumers to promote initiatives accelerating decarbonisation through green technologies and solutions towards a competitive, clean and fair energy transition for both consumers and businesses.

For interview requests with the EUSEW Awards finalists or additional media information, please contact ​ mediaeusew [dot] eu (media[at]eusew[dot]eu).