Baza danych projektów PROW

Promotion of efficient use of energy combined with creation of jobs is the focus of this project. Social aspects combined with energy saving contribute to maximise the social and environmental benefits and promote cooperation between local authories.

The “energy savers” project aims at raising energy saving awareness as a new segment of the social economy. Several companies are involved in this business in Flanders, with both the aim of promoting rational use of energy and its efficienct use as well as creating more job opportunities. The companies employ and train people known as the “energy savers”, to animate and educate families in rationalising the use of energy.

The main objectives of the project are to: create a comprehensive regional network of social companies offering energy saving services; integrating long-term unemployed or low-skilled people in the job market; promoting energy efficiency, raise awareness on global warming issues; making these energy saving services available for the highest number of residents and allowing also money saving solutions for low-income families.

The main activities undertaken in this project were: the creation of a regional network of companies involved in energy saving concepts and the employment and training of animators as “energy savers”. The main activities undertaken by the energy savers include energy checks in homes during which the residents receive tips on energy saving methods whilst some energy saving equipment is installed together with undertaking activities related to energy saving practices.

Currently some 35 companies that participated in the project, are active in this field and some 240 new jobs were created, mainly for people who were facing difficulties in the labour market. The project helped also safeguarding the environment by reducing energy use resulting in savings for low-income families. Another important result achieved is the enhanced cooperation between companies and municipalities. Currently the companies cooperate with 85% of the municipalities in Flanders.

The employment of local people proved to be a very positive element particularly in relation to the perception that customers had of the quality of the services provided. "Energy savers" come from families facing difficulties so when they visited other families they expressed a real interest and understanding of their situation which contributed to build trust between the local communities, the energy savers and the companies provding the service

Vlaamse Ardenen (Oost-Vlaanderen), Flanders, Belgium

Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen

Flanders

112.481,73

https://www.energiesnoeiers.net

Tine Van Rumst

tine.van.rumst@komosie.be

+32 03 281 03 30

Dutch