Description
The Citizen Energy Advisory Hub (CEAH) is a pioneering Commission initiative designed to promote a bottom-up approach to the energy transition across the European Union (EU) to enhance citizen participation in the energy transition and strengthen the social dimension of the Energy Union. CEAH's Technical Assistance (TA) programme will empower 120 citizen energy initiatives across the EU with the hands-on support they need to succeed.
Two competitive calls for proposals will remain open for at least one month.
The second call is planned for June 2026.
level of support
EU-wide
support area
Feasibility Studies, Project Planning, Citizen Engagement, Legal and Regulatory Guidance, Training and Capacity Building, Technology Selection and Optimization, Business Model Development, Financing Support, Stakeholder Engagement
Support scope
The TA programme offers five core types of support to address the diverse needs of citizen energy initiatives:
Financial advisory support: to provide tailored financial planning, early-stage investment guidance, fundraising strategies, and training to boost financial literacy and confidence.
Technical support: to help with technical and technology design, regulatory frameworks, digital solutions, and communication strategies to ensure well-rounded project development.
Legal support: to provide guidance on legal structuring and governance including setting up the right legal form, drafting statutes and defining governance rules, as well as contracting and regulatory compliance.
Stakeholder engagement support: To support inclusive community involvement through citizen dialogues, behavioural insights, and targeted engagement of vulnerable or underrepresented groups.
Capacity-building support: To help beneficiaries design, launch, and professionalise citizen energy projects by offering guidance on energy-sharing, consumer protection, support schemes, and long-term skills development.
All beneficiaries have a chance to participate in a twinning programme, which fosters peer-to-peer learning by linking projects across countries and stages of development. Regular exchange, joint activities, and expert-facilitated discussions will provide beneficiaries with valuable insights from their peers while expanding their European networks.
Eligibility criteria
The CEAH technical assistance programme is designed to support and empower citizen energy initiatives throughout the EU. Different types of organisations and groups can apply, as long as they are involved in eligible activities within a citizen energy project.
Application Process
Eligible and interested stakeholders are invited to complete the online form to make your application.
Evidence Of Success
The Citizen Energy Advisory Hub (CEAH) was established by the European Commission to provide targeted support to emerging and developing energy communities across the EU. Through its technical assistance calls, CEAH offers tailored expertise covering legal structuring, financial modelling, business planning, governance design, and project development.
Expert Opinion
The CEAH Technical Assistance Call is particularly valuable for early-stage energy communities and local promoters who face regulatory complexity, limited financial expertise, or governance challenges. Unlike funding schemes that support infrastructure, this call addresses the foundational barriers that often prevent community energy projects from progressing.
