Published on: May 12, 2025
The EU Peers Initiative in Ireland, in collaboration with the EU Climate Pact, recently hosted a lunch talk webinar titled, ‘Unlocking Energy Grants for Home Retrofits: A Pathway to Climate Resilience’. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore the critical role of home energy upgrades in climate action, with a special focus on making retrofits more accessible and impactful for communities across Ireland.
The webinar attracted attendees from across the energy and housing ecosystem, including One-Stop Shops (OSS), non-profit organisations, energy engineers, climate action officers, local authorities, and members of the EU Peers Community of Practice. The goal? To inform and empower homeowners and professionals with knowledge on available grants, how to access them, and how they contribute to a more energy-efficient and climate-resilient Ireland.
Home Retrofits: A Practical Path to Climate Resilience
In her opening remarks, Edima Obaloluwa, Country Coordinator for the EU Climate Pact in Ireland, set the tone by highlighting the impact the Pact has had in raising public awareness on climate change. She noted how the movement provides accessible tools and platforms for people to act, from everyday behavioural shifts to structured learning on energy-saving measures.
‘Events like this serve as a bridge,’ she said, “connecting citizens, professionals, and policymakers in the journey toward climate resilience”’.
Empowering Communities with Practical Tools
Participants were introduced to the Community Energy Hub by Michael Deen, Project Coordinator at the Community Energy Hub. The platform, launched in September 2024, already serves over 2,300 users, with an average of 330 monthly visitors accessing resources on energy use, retrofitting, and financial supports.
Michael described the Hub as a go-to resource for individuals seeking to understand their energy consumption and take informed steps to reduce it, making the path to renovation clearer and more achievable.
Tackling Energy Poverty Through One-Stop Shop Models
A key highlight of the session was the presentation by Colm O’Mahony, EU Peers Project Officer and Housing Delivery Lead Engineer at the South East Energy Agency. His talk, “Housing: OSS/IHRS Strategies Against Energy Poverty,” addressed how Integrated Home Renovation Services (IHRS) and OSS providers play a transformative role particularly for vulnerable and fuel-poor households.
Colm also candidly addressed ongoing challenges such as workforce shortages, limited awareness, long waiting times, and financing gaps. He underscored the role of the EU Peers Community of Practice (CoP) as a collaborative space for housing professionals, local authorities, NGOs, and energy agencies to share expertise and drive systemic change in Ireland’s retrofit landscape.
Join the Movement
The webinar reinforced that home retrofits are not just about energy savings; they’re about equity, comfort, health, and long-term climate resilience. The EU Peers initiative and the growing Community of Practice continue to champion inclusive, scalable solutions for Ireland’s retrofit needs.
Find out more about EU Peers and join the Community of Practice for free:
https://www.eu-peers.eu/member-application
