Datenbank der Projekte zur ländlichen Entwicklung

This LEADER project (measure 413) aims to make families aware of their energy and water consumption and show them how to measure, control and reduce it. As well as reducing utility bills, this project addresses environmental and heritage issues.

Until recently the association “Les Compagnons Bâtisseurs” had dealt mainly with families living in homes judged unfit for habitation, as part of an initiative to improve living conditions. Encouraging energy consumption control is a new and experimental initiative for the association. This initiative has helped families to tackle their budget problems, as well as addressing wider environmental and heritage issues.

The project aims to make families aware of their water and energy consumption, including showing them how to measure, control or reduce it. The project initially targeted families known to social workers, but the aim now is to encourage all the inhabitants of the village to share their ideas and experiences in controlling consumption, as well as promoting self-help home maintenance.

These involve: a) establishing a plan in conjunction with the local authorities and agencies; b) training several ‘ambassador’ families in the use of good practice techniques; c) showing volunteer families how to use equipment to measure consumption, including simple techniques to reduce consumption, and to calculate potential financial savings; d) enlisting the ambassador and volunteer families for a two day public presentation of ‘eco-gestures’ to promote the project.

The project enlisted four ‘ambassador’ families in three regional municipalities in support of 24 volunteer families. They installed equipment to measure and reduce the consumption of electricity and water, and learnt how much they could save. Furthermore, some 40 people were involved in two public ‘eco-gesture’ events, leading to local partnerships in sustainable development and energy saving. The project also strengthened local ties by bringing local families in closer contact.

It was difficult to find ambassador families able to devote the time needed. However support for the public event was very encouraging. The local partnerships played a key role in the success of the operation, both in enlisting the inhabitants, and in sharing the appropriate skills with the families involved.

France, Région Centre, PNR de la Brenne

Centre

Hexagone

19 600

https://www.compagnonsbatisseurs.org

Virginie BOIREAU

v.boireau@compagnonsbatisseurs.org

French