The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation launched a new funding call for local development associations, cooperatives and other non-profit organisations operating in Portugal. The initiative aims to support the creation of ten new Renewable Energy Communities and accelerate the country’s energy transition through active citizen participation. 

Renewable Energy Communities are a key tool for reducing electricity costs, strengthening local energy autonomy and engaging citizens in the production of clean energy. However, Portugal currently has fewer than ten licensed Renewable Energy Communities. One of the main barriers to their wider adoption has been the limited financial capacity of local organisations and citizens to invest in these projects. 

To help overcome this barrier and expand access to Renewable Energy Communities, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is launching this initiative in partnership with Coopérnico – Sustainable Development Cooperative. The programme will provide funding for ten organisations, with grants of up to €30,000 per project. 

By enabling communities to produce, share and consume their own renewable energy, Renewable Energy Communities generate immediate and tangible benefits, including: 

• Greater energy autonomy for local communities; 
• Lower electricity bills and real economic savings; 
• Reduced energy poverty; 
• A smaller carbon footprint. 

According to Luís Jerónimo, Director of the Foundation’s Equity and Sustainability Programme, “this call will support the creation of Renewable Energy Communities, a solution with enormous potential that remains largely untapped in Portugal. Through this initiative, we want to demonstrate that the energy transition can be driven from the ground up, empowering communities and encouraging greater citizen participation in neighbourhoods, parishes and municipalities. The selected organisations will receive not only funding to establish these communities, but also training and capacity-building to help ensure their long-term sustainability.” 

Ana Rita Antunes, Executive Coordinator of Coopérnico, also highlights the importance of the Foundation’s support in engaging citizens in a fair and participatory energy transition: “We believe this call will have a very positive impact across the country. It will mark a turning point in the expansion of Renewable Energy Communities in Portugal.” 

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Coopérnico will host an online information session on 21 July to present the initiative, explain its objectives and provide guidance on the application process.