EP MED - Catalysing cross-sectoral networks of national observatories and regional hubs to coordinate actions against households energy poverty in EU Mediterranean countries

Energy Poverty (EP) affects millions in Mediterranean EU countries, where households struggle to adequately heat or cool their homes due to high energy costs, low incomes, and inefficient housing, negatively impacting health and well-being. EP-MED addresses this critical challenge across Portugal, Italy, Spain, and Cyprus by establishing coordinated structures and networks to support vulnerable households and strengthen policy responses to this pressing issue. EP-MED will create or enhance National EP Observatories in all four countries and establish Regional EP Hubs in municipalities with high vulnerability levels. The project will strengthen coordination and stakeholders' knowledge from health, housing, social, and energy sectors while developing comprehensive monitoring frameworks and supporting the design of national EP strategies and regional action plans. EP-MED specifically addresses under-researched areas, including summer EP and EP challenges in EU islands, filling critical knowledge gaps in Mediterranean contexts. Building upon existing EU initiatives like EPAH & CoM Europe, and complementing ongoing EU and
national-level projects, EP-MED employs cross-sectoral stakeholder engagement and citizen participation to co-create tailored solutions that align with national policy frameworks. Expected impacts include direct citizen engagement, participation, and support, development and improvement of multiscale coordination structures, knowledge raising and capacity building, transnational practice exchange, and policy assessment and recommendations. EP-MED emphasises long-term sustainability through formalised partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including public authorities and policymakers, capacity-building initiatives, and replicable
and scalable multilevel coordination structures across other EU regions. It proposes a comprehensive approach combining research, policy development & stakeholder coordination to enhance and streamline EP strategy and action.

João Pedro Gouveia is the project coordinator.

Grant Agreement number / Proposal ID: 101293689

Call: LIFE-2025-CET-ENERPOV