Proposals are expected to focus on one of the two scopes (A or B) established below. In their introduction, proposals should clearly identify the scope against which the proposal will be evaluated. In case a proposal addresses elements of more than one scope, this should be duly justified.

Scope A: Scaling up high-quality and competitive energy renovations

Under Scope A, actions should aim to increase renovation rates and deliver progress towards a fully decarbonised, zero emission building stock by 2050, as defined in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Proposals should focus on removing market barriers, stimulating demand and scaling up energy renovations.

Proposals should deploy strategies and business models for renovation that can be replicated across multiple buildings and markets, increasing current renovation rates, aggregating demand for products and services with a view to facilitating faster, more cost-effective, affordable, simple and efficient renovations.

Proposals should support the large-scale roll out of solutions, models and approaches that deliver high-quality renovations with energy performance guarantees or other business models, driving market confidence and stimulating investments. They should support the competitiveness and productivity of construction companies, for example through industrialised and standardised processes, digital tools, improved coordination across the supply chain and the uptake of circular and low-carbon solutions.

Proposals should take into account all relevant actors in the renovation value chain, notably building owners, energy solution providers and investors, occupants, public authorities, financial institutions, construction sector representatives, electricity market operators, etc.

In line with the 2050 vision for the building stock, besides improving energy performance, indoor environmental quality and decarbonising energy use in buildings, proposals can go beyond and consider reduction of whole lifecycle emissions, addressing materials, or increased resilience against climate risks in renovations.

Proposals should explain how the proposed activities are adapted to the specific context and maturity of the markets and/or countries addressed and should coordinate with existing support, funding instruments, one stop shops or existing renovation facilitation services in their area of action. Proposals may consider deploying technical building systems and strategies enabling flexibility.

Scope B: Strengthening information instruments under the EPBD

Proposals are expected to strengthen the market and policy uptake, usability and effectiveness of key EPBD instruments, notably Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), Renovation Passports (RPs) and where relevant the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), and the Digital Building Logbooks (DBLs) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ).

Proposals should demonstrate the reliability and market relevance of these instruments for their intended users and customers, and strengthen their contribution to achieving EPBD policy objectives. This roll-out should result in increased and improved use of building energy data for renovation and/or energy management.

Proposals should address the improved implementation and accelerated market roll-out of existing schemes and tools that improve on the one hand the accuracy and quality, and on the other hand the integration and consistency of EPCs, RPs and where appropriate, the SRI, the DBL and IEQ.

Proposals should detail their specific approach, where relevant, for enhancing transparency, assessing renovation needs and energy costs, improving indoor environmental quality and measuring the impacts of building performance improvements. These instruments should strengthen the market value of energy performance by linking its improvements to building valuation and investment decisions.

The roll-out and market uptake of Renovation Passports in line with the recast EPBD should enable clear, staged renovation pathways for building owners, ensuring coherence with EPCs and where relevant, SRI assessments, the DBL and IEQ. This could include actions to improve the practical market implementation aspects, as well as measures to create demand and promote the use of RPs.

The proposed activities need to be compatible with all implementation choices that Member States make in the context of transposing the EPBD and thus need to follow the policy evolutions and frameworks as appropriate. Proposals should also take into account existing funding schemes as well as relevant renovation support services, including one-stop shops.

Technological, including innovative, solutions may be employed as enablers but must not be at the centre of the action.

For both scopes A and B:

All proposals are required to implement pilot actions in real-life buildings or renovation projects, demonstrating practical application, effectiveness and replicability of the proposed solutions and instruments.

Proposals must be submitted by at least 3 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities) from 3 different eligible countries.