In the last weeks of January, experts, local authorities, and partners gathered in Stara Zagora, Plovdiv, Gabrovo, and Ruse to discuss important topics related to energy efficiency and the sustainable renovation of the housing stock.

The meetings were organized jointly with the one-stop-shop centers operating in the municipalities, in collaboration with the SHEERenov+ project, and provided an opportunity for in-depth discussions on the latest challenges, innovations, and best practices that can accelerate the transition to greener and more energy-efficient buildings in Bulgaria.

The focus was on topics such as integrating renewable energy sources into the renovation of multi-family buildings, the formation of energy communities, and the need for legal and administrative solutions that support the successful implementation of these initiatives. Experts discussed specific examples of the use of photovoltaic technologies and charging stations for electric vehicles, which not only improve energy efficiency but also provide sustainable and innovative solutions for reducing carbon emissions.

One of the main highlights of the events was the discussion on best practices and common mistakes in the implementation of building energy renovation projects. Experts from CEE EnEffect presented examples of successful projects, while Passive House Shop shared the latest innovations in materials and technologies for energy efficiency that help significantly reduce costs and extend the lifespan of buildings.

On January 29th, a working meeting was held in Bucharest for the DiVirtue project, where project partners had the opportunity to discuss plans for the development of innovative training materials for construction skills, using virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies. They also visited the lab at the "Ion Mincu" University of Architecture in Bucharest, which is equipped not only for VR but also for 3D printing. On January 30th and 31st, a training workshop was held in Ruse, where key aspects of the new procedures for energy renovation of the building stock and the improvement of existing practices were discussed. Participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the latest developments in legislation and to register for future funding programs.

These events provided a valuable opportunity for knowledge sharing, discussing innovations, and going through the key steps for implementing energy projects.