The central issue addressed by the Handbook is the so-called energy performance gap, a significant difference between the predicted (calculated) energy consumption and the actual consumption measured once the building is in use. Research indicates that actual consumption in public buildings is often up to 30% higher than planned.

The Handbook was developed based on previously conducted national baseline assessments of underperforming renovations in Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, and Croatia, stakeholder consultations, and activities carried out within OUR-CEE project.

Its goal is to provide decision-makers at national and local levels with a specific set of measures to address the problem of underperforming renovations. These measures are structured to cover all phases of the renovation process: Financing, Planning, Project Implementation, Operation and Monitoring through energy management systems.

The Handbook also includes a checklist with questions that can serve as a tool for local self-government units to plan activities and assess how current and future energy renovations of public buildings align with what is long-term considered high-quality renovation.

This document is designed to be key support at the local and national levels in transforming the public building stock into an energy-efficient and sustainable system.

The full document in English can be found at the following LINK, while the Croatian translation is available on the official website of REA North. OUR-CEE project is focused on increasing successful and high-quality energy renovations of public buildings in Central and Eastern European countries and is co-funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI).

Objava New Handbook Developed within the OUR-CEE Project: Bridging the Energy Performance Gap – Guidelines for Achieving High-performing Renovations in Central and Eastern Europe pojavila se prvi puta na Regionalna energetska agencija.

Knowledge Exchange Event was organized by the Polish partner,  Association of Municipalities Polish Network “Energie Cités” (PNEC), as part of OUR-CEE project activities. It brought together project partners as well as representatives of local authorities and higher education institutions from CEE region, who presented EU policies on public building renovation, best practices from municipalities, and discussed ways to stimulate and successfully implement deep and sustainable energy renovations.

Damir Mandic, Business Development Manager at REA North, took part in a panel discussion “How to boost local renovation efforts and make them successful?” focused on the opportunities available to local authorities for implementing more effective energy renovation projects.

This event where partners and participants exchanged insights and practical knowledge on improving the effectiveness of public building renovations, was already the fourth in the series of knowledge exchange events organized within OUR-CEE project, following those previously held in Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania.

OUR-CEE project aims to enhance the success and quality of public building energy renovations in Central and Eastern European countries and is co-funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI).

Objava REA North and City of Virovitica in Krakow on OUR-CEE project Knowledge Exchange Event pojavila se prvi puta na Regionalna energetska agencija.

International Conference was held in the context of the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which sets the trajectory for reducing carbon emissions from the building sector and for increasing both the rate and depth of renovations. With the adoption of the revised Directive, the responsibility now lies with Member States to create the necessary frameworks that will enable large-scale building decarbonisation. This includes addressing long-standing barriers in financing, improving training systems, and attracting a greater number of skilled workers into the sector.

A central feature of the revised EPBD is the introduction of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). Public buildings are expected to lead by example in terms of both renovation quality and speed. Member States must ensure that 16% of the worst performing non-residential buildings comply with national MEPS by 2030, increasing to 26% by 2033. These objectives are projected to deliver some of the most substantial emission reductions across the building sector.

Beyond emissions and energy savings, well-designed MEPS have the potential to generate a broad spectrum of socio-economic benefits. When effectively implemented, the renovation of the worst-performing buildings can contribute not only to environmental improvements but also to social welfare, economic development, and the enhancement of public services. To fully realise these benefits, Member States will need to address barriers within the building sector while also recognising how MEPS interlink with other policy areas. The conference therefore explored these interdependencies within the context of MEPS for public buildings, focusing on ambition levels, expected impacts, and shared challenges and opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

The expert presentations provided a strong foundation for discussion. Denisa Diaconu, project manager at Buildings Performance Institute Europe, held presentation on Principles for Effective Implementation of MEPS. Francesco Scuderi, Secretary General at Eurovent, discussed MEPS in relation to Indoor Air Quality in public buildings, with special emphasis on educational buildings. Andre Muller from the Institute for Housing and Environment (IWU) delivered a presentation on the Digital tool to plan renovations of the worst performing building stock at scale, sharing experiences from the DataNWG project and demonstrating the ISO building simulator and the LezBAU tool that supports the implementation of MEPS. Aura Oancea, researcher at Energy Policy Group, in her Breaking the Cycle of Underperforming Renovations in Central and Eastern Europe presentation outlined the objectives and concrete outcomes of the EUKI-funded OUR-CEE project,highlighting reasons why CEE countries often struggle with effective building upgrades.

Participants actively engaged with presenters, raising questions particularly related to the implementation of MEPS in the renovation of historical buildings. As an introduction to the panel discussion, Damir Mandic, Business Development Manager at Regional Energy Agency North, presented the document Guiding Framework for the Introduction of Minimum Energy Performance Standards for the Worst Performing Public Buildings, outlining where and how MEPS apply.

A panel discussion followed, featuring representatives from the Hungarian Energy Efficiency Institute (Hungary), Energy Policy Group (Romania), Regional Energy Agency North (Croatia), and the Center for Energy Efficiency EnEffect (Bulgaria). Panelists shared their national perspectives on the most pressing challenges in implementing MEPS for public buildings and reflected on the opportunities that the MEPS framework introduces. They also addressed how MEPS can be designed to complement instruments such as Building Renovation Passports and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), ensuring that these instruments reinforce each other. Additionally, the discussion explored how MEPS can be structured to keep public building renovations both energy-efficient and people-centered—particularly in education, healthcare, and social service facilities where user comfort and well-being are crucial.

International Conference concluded with final remarks by Aura Oancea from Energy Policy Group, highlighting the key insights and the importance of continued cooperation across the CEE region in advancing public building renovation.

Objava REDESIGN international online conference brought together experts discussing MEPS implementation, renovation challenges, and opportunities in CEE Countries pojavila se prvi puta na Regionalna energetska agencija.

Capacity-building event took place on Friday, 28 November 2025, at Virovitica City Hall, with the goal of strengthening the capacities of public administration officials and energy consultants on stakeholder engagement, planning, contracting and monitoring renovations of public buildings, including financing instruments and integration of building users.

Damir Mandic, Business Development Manager at REA North, presented the current challenges encountered during energy renovation projects, potential sources of financing for such projects, and opportunities for engaging and educating end-users.

Participants exchanged experiences on the most common obstacles and issues faced during the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of energy renovation projects.

In the second part of the program, Matej Viljevac, Junior Project Manager at REA North, presented Blower Door, method of air tightness testing in buildings.

Renovation training in Virovitica was organized as part of the activities of the OUR-CEE – Overcoming Underperforming Renovations in Central and Eastern Europe project, which addresses the challenges of underperforming energy renovations and how to overome it in the Central and Eastern Europe region.

The project is implemented with the financial support of the EUKI (European Climate Initiative) program.

Objava REA North in Virovitica held a Renovation training on Increasing Energy Efficiency in Buildings pojavila se prvi puta na Regionalna energetska agencija.

Capacity-building event took place on Friday, 31 October 2025, at the Technology Park Varazdin, with the goal of strengthening the capacities of public administration officials and energy consultants on stakeholder engagement, planning, contracting and monitoring renovations of public buildings, including financing instruments and integration of building users.

Damir Mandic, Business Development Manager at REA North, presented the current challenges encountered during energy renovation projects, potential sources of financing for such projects, and opportunities for engaging and educating end-users.

Participants exchanged experiences on the most common obstacles and issues faced during the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of energy renovation projects.

In the second part of the program, Matej Viljevac, Junior Project Manager at REA North, conducted a demonstration of air tightness testing in buildings using the Blower Door test.

Renovation training in Varazdin was organized as part of the activities of the OUR-CEE – Overcoming Underperforming Renovations in Central and Eastern Europe project, which addresses the challenges of underperforming energy renovations and how to overome it in the Central and Eastern Europe region.

The project is implemented with the financial support of the EUKI (European Climate Initiative) program.

Objava REA North in Varazdin held a Renovation training on Increasing Energy Efficiency in Buildings pojavila se prvi puta na Regionalna energetska agencija.

REA North presented its two projects OUR-CEE and REDESIGN, both funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI), offer complementary approaches to improving the energy efficiency of public buildings in Central and Eastern Europe. While OUR-CEE focuses on identifying the reasons behind underperformance in previously conducted renovations and developing strategies for their improvement, REDESIGN is developing a methodology for renovating the worst-performing public buildings by introducing Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).

The event was opened by introductory speeches from representatives of the City of Sarajevo and the German Embassy, who emphasized that cross-border cooperation is vital to achieving climate neutrality. Introductory workshop, led by CENER 21, explored the progress of Western Balkan countries in implementing their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), identifying key challenges and opportunities for stronger joint advocacy.

Throughout the event, there were several panel discussions with relevant policymakers and experts discussing how to turn political commitments into concrete action. Speakers underscored that a successful energy transition must go hand in hand with social progress and to achieve that, closer collaboration between sectors across the region is needed..

During the Poster Gallery Walk, REA North presented OUR-CEE and REDESIGN projects to participants, fostering exchange of knowledge and collaboration with representatives from Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia.

Through its active participation and project presentations, REA North demonstrated its commitment to collaboration and innovative approaches in promoting energy efficiency and sustainable development, while the event itself provided a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences and strengthen regional connections for a more sustainable future.

Objava REA North in Sarajevo participated at the EUKI Networking Event: Advancing the Green Agenda in the Western Balkans pojavila se prvi puta na Regionalna energetska agencija.

GeoBuilding project is oriented towards fostering innovative solutions for the utilization of shallow geothermal energy as a renewable resource, with a particular emphasis on improving energy efficiency, reducing CO₂ emissions, and strengthening the capacities of local communities for implementing sustainable energy projects.

Partner Presentations and Project Activities

Following the formal introduction of the partner teams, lead partner University of Pécs, presented the structure of project activities, which encompass management, technical, and communication work packages. The presentation highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation and experience sharing in the planning and implementation of geothermal solutions.

The central part of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing and discussing potential challenges that may arise during the implementation of pilot investments planned within the project. These pilot investments represent crucial steps toward demonstrating the practical efficiency and applicability of geothermal systems.

Pilot Investments in Croatia and Hungary

As part of the planned pilot investments, REA North will develop an information platform – the Virtual One-Stop-Shop (vOSS). This AI-driven digital platform will provide technical, legal, and financial information related to geothermal investments, aiming to support local communities, investors, and other stakeholders in the decision-making process.

In addition to REA North’s initiative, City of Koprivnica presented its pilot investment focused on the energy refurbishment of the heating system in the Crvenkapica Kindergarten, through the installation of a water-to-water heat pump system utilizing shallow geothermal groundwater sources. This investment will significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring a more sustainable heating system for the facility.

Furthermore, Medjimurje County and the Medjimurje Energy Agency (MENEA) presented their pilot investment at the Donji Kraljevec Primary School, where the existing heating system will be replaced with a new, energy-efficient geothermal-based solution.

University of Pécs also presented its pilot investment, which includes replacing the existing natural gas heating system with a fan-coil heating system at the University’s Research Institute of Viticulture and Enology. This investment aims to achieve a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions and involves geological surveys and the drilling of four to six boreholes for geothermal energy use, making it both technically demanding and strategically important for the future development of geothermal infrastructure.

Next Steps

At the conclusion of the meeting, partners announced the upcoming kick-off conference of GeoBuilding project, scheduled for early November in Pécs. The conference will bring together representatives of local authorities, academia, the business sector, and the wider public, with the goal of promoting the project’s objectives and facilitating knowledge exchange on the potential of geothermal energy utilization in public buildings.

Objava First Partner Meeting of the GeoBuilding Project Held in Koprivnica pojavila se prvi puta na Regionalna energetska agencija.

The framework outlines the key components needed for effective MEPS implementation, including country-readiness assessments, design principles, pathways for implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation. Developed as a roadmap, it provides guidance from initial concept to full-scale adoption, ensuring coherence, accountability, and measurable impact across all stages.

General guiding framework will serve as a basis for engaging national decision-makers in Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia in shaping the country-tailored MEPS frameworks which will facilitate drafting process of the NBRPs to be submitted to the EC by the end of this year.

At a time when existing renovation policies are insufficient to deliver the scale and depth of improvements needed, MEPS represent a crucial instrument to accelerate building renovations. By setting minimum performance thresholds and embedding them within a supportive policy environment, MEPS can place the EU firmly on the path to decarbonisation while also unlocking significant economic and social benefits.

This framework provides a structured and coherent approach for Member States, paving the way for effective MEPS implementation and stronger renovation outcomes.

Read the full document at the following link.

Objava Partners in REDESIGN project Successfully Developed General Guiding Framework for MEPS Introduction pojavila se prvi puta na Regionalna energetska agencija.

In addition, they gained new knowledge on thermal bridge calculations and the risks of their occurrence in cases of underperforming renovation. The training also addressed the topic of air tightness in buildings and the importance of achieving a continuously insulated building envelope.

After the theoretical part on thermal bridges and air tightness, participants were introduced to the air tightness testing method through a demonstration of the Blower-door test, which showed how to detect air “leakage” and possible solutions.

In addition to the training held in Osijek, REA North will organize two more renovation trainings with the aim of strengthening capacities for the implementation of effective energy renovations.

Renovation training was organized as part of the activities of the OUR-CEE – Overcoming Underperforming Renovations in Central and Eastern Europe project, which addresses the challenges of underperforming energy renovations and how to overome it in the Central and Eastern Europe region.

The project is implemented with the financial support of the EUKI (European Climate Initiative) program.

Objava REA North in Osijek held a first Renovation training pojavila se prvi puta na Regionalna energetska agencija.

The presented Minimum Energy Performance Standards apply to public buildings and represent an important step towards a new standard of energy renovation. Their implementation is focused on renovating 16 % of the worst-performing public buildings, with the specific goal of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as achieving climate neutrality. The building sector in the European Union consumes around 40% of total energy, leading to 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, carrying out deep renovations is crucial for meeting European climate and energy targets. In this context, MEPS stands out as a strategic tool that enables a systematic and prioritized approach to renovation.

The goal of the round table held in Virovitica was to open a dialogue with representatives of local authorities and collect feedback on the possibilities of aligning the activities of municipalities and cities with the new standard requirements. Through an interactive round table, participants exchanged experiences related to energy renovations, discussed the responsibilities of local authorities, and highlighted obstacles and opportunities in the implementation of measures. The conclusions and recommendations from the round table will be also incorporated into the development of a national guiding framework for MEPS introduction, currently being prepared by REA North within the framework of the project REDESIGN – Harmonized renovation methodology for the worst-performing public buildings in the CEE region, funded through the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) program.

Objava Round table on Minimum Energy Performance Standards held in Virovitica pojavila se prvi puta na Regionalna energetska agencija.