The Renocally project, which runs from February 2023 to January 2025, has made significant progress in developing building renovation practices in Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovakia. As part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI), the primary goal of the project was to assist municipalities in developing sustainable and effective renovation strategies that support the EU’s climate neutrality goals in the building sector.

Key Achievements
During the course of the project, Renocally successfully helped local authorities deepen their understanding of Building Renovation Passports (BRPs), which are key tools for long-term renovation planning. The project’s hands-on approach enabled municipalities to collaborate with energy efficiency experts, financial consultants, and energy auditors to create comprehensive and tailored renovation plans.

Notable achievements include:

• Developing 20 BRPs for various types of buildings, including public buildings and schools.
• Organizing technical and financial masterclasses in 10 municipalities in Romania and Bulgaria, which enabled local authorities to effectively implement BRPs.
• Creating financial strategies for 10 municipalities to help secure EU and national funding.
• Signing memorandum of cooperation with several municipalities that committed to prioritizing BRPs.

Challenges
Despite the progress, the implementation of BRPs was not without challenges. Some of the obstacles included limited financial resources, outdated building inventories, and a lack of expertise among energy auditors and one-stop shops. Additionally, the unstable regulatory environment and high capital costs for energy efficiency technologies created further difficulties.

Lessons Learned
The municipalities involved in the Renocally project highlighted the importance of aligning renovation efforts with long-term climate goals. They realized that implementing BRPs significantly reduces the costs and complexity of achieving high energy performance in renovated buildings. Customizing renovation plans to meet the specific needs of buildings, prioritizing the worst-performing structures, and considering both energy and non-energy benefits (such as health improvements) were key recommendations for effective renovation strategies.

Progress and Future
Although the Renocally project is nearing its conclusion, the real work starts now. To maintain momentum and ensure long-lasting impact, the project recommends that municipalities:

• Appoint a contact person within the administration to facilitate data exchange between municipalities, building owners, and energy auditors.
• Continue to involve professional energy auditors in the development of BRPs to ensure compliance with legal frameworks and the correct methodologies.
• Invest in capacity building and knowledge exchange among key stakeholders, such as energy auditors, financial experts, municipal staff, policymakers, energy agencies, and citizens.
• Explore innovative financial strategies that combine both top-down and bottom-up approaches to secure sustainable financing for future renovations.

Through these steps, the project aims to ensure that the positive changes made during its implementation will lead to a future where building renovations not only achieve energy efficiency goals but also promote healthier and more sustainable living conditions.