A long-term budget to deliver future-proof buildings

As we enter the delivery phase of the energy transition, renovating buildings must be at the heart of the EU’s strategy: it cuts bills for households and businesses, creates local jobs, boosts competitiveness and reduces dependence on energy imports. In its briefing note on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the Renovate Europe Campaign calls for a simpler, larger and more accessible EU budget to meet the goals of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive.

The main source of EU funding for energy renovation, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, ends in 2026, and Cohesion Funds and the Social Climate Fund are expected to only partly replace it. With an investment gap estimated at €150 billion per year, the campaign calls on the European Commission to:

• Dedicate increased EU funding to deliver efficient buildings, including support for the National Building Renovation Plans
• Unlock private finance through EU funds and guarantees, public-private partnerships and new tools such as Renovation Loans and Mortgage Portfolio Standards
• Simplify the EU’s energy efficiency budget lines, with a dedicated line for energy-efficient buildings and simpler application processes
• Improve the absorption of EU funds, with technical assistance through ELENA and the Technical Support Instrument