How can rural communities across Europe lead a clean, inclusive energy transition while tackling challenges such as energy poverty, ageing housing, depopulation, and limited local resources?

In this first episode of the new series of IEECP's Energy in Your Ears podcast, Giulia Viero - Energy Expert at IEECP, welcomes Katherine Mahoney - Researcher at NOVA University (ENTRACK) and Mara Oprea - Senior Energy Expert at IEECP (project coordinator of Ruralise) to explore how two EU-funded projects are helping rural communities build a more sustainable, affordable, and resilient future.

As the LIFE-funded ENTRACK project comes to an end, we reflect on its achievements in supporting rural municipalities across Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal to develop socially inclusive energy policies. From engaging citizens and local authorities to co-designing solutions that address energy poverty, ENTRACK demonstrates why a people-centred approach is essential to the clean energy transition.

Building on these experiences, the newly launched Horizon Europe Ruralise project takes the conversation further, exploring how affordable, accessible, and climate-resilient housing can help revitalise rural communities across Europe.