IRENE meets in Vilvoorde to move forward with project implementation
IRENE partners gathered in one of the project’s pilot cities to review progress and strengthen collaboration
Partners visited the Broek and Slachthuis neighbourhoods to connect project activities with the local context
The LIFE project IRENE: Catalysing Inclusive, Representative, Equitable Energy Renovation Wave held a consortium meeting on 11th and 12th March 2026 in Vilvoorde, Belgium. This meeting brought together project partners to review progress, plan upcoming activities, and continue advancing energy renovation efforts across Europe. Hosted by the City of Vilvoorde, one of the project´s four pilot cities, the meeting allowed participants to share updates on their implementation efforts, discuss next steps, and strengthen collaboration as the project moves forward.
Strengthening Collaboration Across the Consortium
Regular consortium meetings play a key role in ensuring alignment between partners and maintaining a shared vision for tackling energy poverty through renovation strategies across Europe. Representatives from 10 partner organisations from four countries gathered in Vilvoorde on 11th March to present their progress since the previous meeting in Madrid. The encounter mainly focused on ongoing work to create Energy Justice Hubs, stakeholder involvement, and community engagement strategies to ensure vulnerable households remain at the centre of the energy transition.
Field Visits to Vilvoorde Pilot Neighbourhoods
On 12th March, guided by representatives from the City of Vilvoorde, consortium members visited Broek and Slachthuis, two neighbourhoods where the project activities are being implemented. These site visits helped partners better understand the social and urban contexts for upcoming renovation actions and align project planning with local realities.
Being one of the project´s pilots, along with Leuven, Vilnius, and Madrid, Vilvoorde plays a central role, contributing to the development of participatory approaches that connect communities, local authorities, and technical experts. Vilvoorde is a city in the Flemish region of Belgium, located about 16 km north of Brussels, making it part of the capital’s wider metropolitan area and a common commuter town. Historically, Vilvoorde developed as an important industrial centre thanks to its canal access, rail connections, and proximity to Brussels, hosting heavy industries such as car manufacturing, metalworking, and chemical production.
While the local economy is gradually transitioning toward a mixed economy with services and residential development, the city still faces several socio-economic challenges. Vilvoorde has many small working-class houses in need of renovation. With a population of around 48,000, it has one of the youngest and most ethnically diverse populations in Flanders. It also experiences a strong influx of residents moving out of Brussels, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the region. At the same time, parts of the city face a relatively high risk of poverty, highlighting the importance of inclusive urban development and social support policies.
During the visits, representatives from the City of Vilvoorde shared details about the specific characteristics and challenges of each neighbourhood, highlighting the municipality´s ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency, housing conditions, and community engagement. The OSS-Energiepunt Vilvoorde was established in 2022. Since then, a strong effort has been made to tackle energy poverty through initiatives ranging from citizen engagement and home visits to assistance with grant applications and support during and after renovations. To date, the mobile office has provided 468 hours of consultations, more than 1,000 families have been reached, 155 doorstep conversations have been conducted, 182 city subsidies and 124 renovation loans have been granted, and 38 vulnerable households have been helped.
By engaging directly with local communities, consortium members gained a clearer understanding of the local context and how to effectively support residents and stakeholders. During the pilot visit, the group also met a resident who had recently renovated their family home:
“We renovated the entire house, and since then, we barely need to turn the heating on.”
Moving Forward with Inclusive Energy Renovations
This gathering marked an important milestone in the project´s collaborative journey, strengthening the partners' commitment to an inclusive, representative, and equitable renovation wave. As implementation progresses, this team effort will create replicable models to tackle energy poverty across Europe while enhancing living conditions and energy efficiency in residential buildings.
Press Contact
Email: infoirene@globalfactor.com
Website: https://www.helpeu.eu/irene
This project has received funding from the European Union’s LIFE Programme under Grant Agreement No. LIFE24-CET-IRENE/101215481.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Find IRENE on social media
