Portershed Tuesday 10th Feb 7:00pm
Attendance free but booking advisable (Eventrbite booking link here).
The event will offer practical guidance to homeowners and community groups beginning their home energy renovation journey. The Event is a launch of the Citizen Led Renovation Enablers programme which helps mentor Communities to do Energy Retrofit and build capacity.
The topics to be covered include:
- SEAI's Sustainable Energy Communities, from SEAI's Communities Programme Manager who will also cover the new SEAI improved grants.
- Community success stories from Galway and Tipperary and how Ecovision is going to enable Galway to go beyond existing work in Community Retrofit.
- Energy Tariffs and Energy Switching expertise.
- Derelict Homes and Vacant Property Grants
- Healthy Age Friendly Homes and a details of a new Pilot to help over 10 thousand older people in the next 6 months to achieve a B2 energy rating.
The public will also be provided with information to take away on many of the topics covered.
Further details are provided on the press release below.
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Ecovision and Galway Energy Cooperative Launch Community-Led Home Renovation Initiative
Ecovision, in partnership with the Galway Energy Cooperative, has launched a new community-led initiative designed to empower residents to take an active role in upgrading the energy efficiency of their homes.
The project launch and first community workshop will take place on Tuesday, 10 February at 7:00pm in the PorterShed, Galway City. The free event will offer practical guidance to homeowners and community groups beginning their home energy renovation journey. While open to all residents of Galway City and County, advance booking is recommended.
The event marks the introduction of Citizen-Led Renovation (CLR), an EU-wide initiative that supports communities to play a central role in the energy transition through shared knowledge, mentoring, and local action.
Guest speakers include:
- John Flynn, Programme Manager, SEAI Better Energy Communities, who will outline how Sustainable Energy Communities can benefit from coordinated home energy upgrades and economies of scale through local organisations.
- Carmel Manfredi, Healthy Age Friendly Ireland, speaking on Housing Aid for Older People (Over 66s) and the role of local authorities.
- Máirtín Ó Méalóid, Project Manager with Ecovision Tipperary, on capacity building and EU-funded mentoring to support Citizen-Led Renovation.
- Kieran Cunnane, Galway Energy Cooperative, on community mentoring, SEAI grants and changes, and the cooperative’s role in supporting retrofit projects.
- The Climate Action Teams from Galway City and County Councils have also been invited to attend.
The workshop will provide practical information on how communities can collaboratively plan and deliver energy renovation projects. The public will have information to take away via Information packs on the topics covered and includes considerations before buying, finance and energy efficiency.
A key focus of the initiative is supporting a Just Transition, with particular attention to fuel poverty and the needs of more vulnerable households. By mobilising communities, the project aims to improve energy security, reduce costs, and increase comfort in homes across Galway.
“Whether it’s achieving economies of scale through community grant applications, upgrading derelict properties, addressing fuel poverty among older residents, or understanding financing options, this event covers a wide range of practical issues,” said Kieran Cunnane, Project Coordinator with Galway Energy Cooperative.
Máirtín Ó Méalóid added that the CLR programme mentors local organisations including Galway Energy Co Operative to support the public through their retrofit journey, including identifying homes suitable for funded energy assessments.
Attendees will learn about the benefits of citizen-led renovation, hear real-world examples, and gain clear next steps for starting energy-saving projects in their own communities—helping to make homes in Galway warmer, more affordable to run, and more sustainable.
Booking details:
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1981589847577