ASSERT

ASSERT project training, support and advice program. Call for support for initiatives to address energy use and energy poverty among people with physical disabilities: ASSERT project technical assistance

Here you will find all the details of this call, which seeks to provide essential knowledge, skills and abilities to key actors such as political representatives, social workers, entities working in the field of disability and people with disabilities , in order to ensure that they can address energy poverty and mitigate its impacts by offering them technical assistance to design services that respond to it.

The ASSERT training, support and advice program aims to offer technical assistance to five initiatives to address energy poverty for people with physical disabilities free of charge for 18 months . To apply for the service, it is essential that local authorities present themselves as a partner with an entity that works directly with people with disabilities. Only five of the presented pairs will receive technical support from the training, support and advice program. However, pairs not selected will be invited to participate in different project activities and will have access to training within the framework of the program.

The period for interested municipalities or entities to submit applications is between February 3 and March 31, 2025 .

Project description

The ASSERT project addresses the major challenges of energy poverty with an innovative proposal that places people at the center of the solution. The main objective is to address energy poverty in a comprehensive and multidimensional way, promoting the empowerment and training of one of the most vulnerable groups and the agents involved. The specific objectives of the project are the following:

Training for policymakers and energy professionals: ASSERT works to ensure that policymakers at all levels, together with energy sector advisors and professionals, receive comprehensive training on energy poverty. This training includes the analysis of the multiple dimensions of energy poverty and its integration in the context of the clean energy transition. In many European countries, especially in the South, there is a lack of solid knowledge for effective decision-making and coordination between sectors such as health and social. ASSERT seeks to fill these gaps, thereby facilitating a more efficient and inclusive socio-political framework to address energy poverty.
Training of frontline professionals: ASSERT promotes programs to train professionals who work with the most vulnerable citizens, such as health and social service personnel, in order to identify households affected by energy poverty and provide advice on solutions to reduce consumption and improve access to affordable and sustainable energy. This approach turns frontline professionals into fundamental allies for the people affected, facilitating their path to greater energy security.
Training courses for households affected by energy poverty: ASSERT offers specific courses for households in energy poverty, including those with low digital skills, to help them better manage their energy bills and actively participate in the transition to fair energy. This training empowers households to be agents of change towards a more equitable and sustainable society. The project places a special focus on households with people with functional diversity, who often have higher energy needs and lower incomes, making them more vulnerable to the effects of energy poverty. By providing them with adapted support, ASSERT seeks to break the vicious circle of energy poverty and its health consequences, thus improving their quality of life and reducing the associated risks.

To achieve these objectives, ASSERT will design and deploy a comprehensive training and mentoring program, led by Ecoserveis, in five pilot countries in the Mediterranean area (Spain, France, Greece, Italy and Cyprus). The personalized mentoring program will offer direct support to 25 pairs formed by a municipality and an intermediary entity that works with the disabled. This collaboration facilitates the adoption of energy efficiency solutions and a comprehensive approach to energy poverty within local public policies.

With this holistic approach, ASSERT builds networks of mutual support and fosters a shared and participatory vision of energy poverty, thus contributing to a more just, inclusive and sustainable energy model.

Ecoserveis participation

Leader of the WP5 “Mentoring Program” with open call for local pilots.

Objectives

Open a call to identify 25 beneficiary municipality-entity pairs for a mentoring program on how to address energy poverty in the case of people with functional diversity.
Accompany 5 municipality-entity pairs in each local pilot to address energy poverty in the case of people with functional diversity.
Evaluate the effectiveness of this support program to combat the energy poverty that affects this group.

Funded by

Collaborators/partners

Project scope

Team

Marta Garcia

CEO

Lucia Gomez Morales

Technical consultant

Sofia Recio

Energy Consultant

Nona Galvany

Social consultant

Joan Estalella

Energy Consultant and Project Manager

Anna Pruna Galdón

Responsable de Comunicació

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