After four years, the adventure of FINERPOL project ends with remarkable results. However it was a tough beginning because project partners had to tackle some challenges due to the innovation of the subject (Financial Instruments for energy renovation in buildings), the final results have shown the intense efforts that every region has undertaken to improve their policies through interregional cooperation. Because, from common needs, partners looked for joint solutions.
So, the outstanding results of FINERPOL project are shown in each Policy improvement of the participant regions. It is noteworthy the five Policy changes, some of them structural on Operative Programmes (like the case of Extremadura):
- Extremadura, AGENEX and the DG Arquictecture have modified its OP to allow ERDF go to Financial Instruments (before this, only grants were allowed), which has fostered the creation of a Guarantee Fund for the energy renovation of multifamily buildings in Extremadura, with advantageous conditions for the beneficiaries.
- Plymouth City Council has participated in the creation of a Consortium with Bristol City Council and Devon Council; that, thanks to funding from ELENA, resulted in the South West Energy Unit.
- The City of Prague has created a new financial instrument, available at the INFIN Programme for supporting start-ups and young innovative companies based in the City of Prague.
- Czech Technical University in Prague has promoted the launching of a new FI that could reach the renovation of approximately 150 apartment buildings in the whole country except for Prague, by providing a subsidized, interest-free loan managed and distributed by the State Housing Development Fund.
- Autonomous Province of Trento, has made a proposal where Trentino will be the test area for the implementation of a specific banking product aimed at issuing green loans for energy efficiency.
- North Portuguese region (CEiiA) has adapted its Operational Programme to the needs of its beneficiaries and the regional climate, maximizing the application of funds for supporting energy efficiency in public buildings and the residential sector.
- The efforts of the Greek partners (Research Committee of the University of Western Macedonia) are concentrating on launching a call for District Heating projects in 2020, as part of the regional plan for the exploitation of biomass with emphasis on district heating.
Besides these relevant impacts on each participant territory, FINERPOL Project has built a strong collaboration with the Interreg Europe Programme and other European regions, becoming a model to other initiatives. For example, FINERMAP tool compiles the learning process and make the searching for best practices related to energy renovations in buildings easier. It is a tool that many projects have used to look for inspiration.
Also, the project has organized a total of 23 events and participated in 34 third-party events where FINERPOL project has been disseminated effectively. Especially remarkable is the participation in two editions of EU Cooperates organized by Interreg EU.
2019 Edition:
In the 2020 edition, FINERPOL project has a spot on the conferences of Low carbon Economy:
To conclude, the project has filmed a final video where some of the main actors of the project share their experiences and the benefits of cooperation:
