Georgi lives in a multi-apartment complex that needs to be renovated. Faced with sky-high energy bills, Georgi was keen to have the exterior walls of his apartment building insulated to lower his energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of the building. He started to explore his options a few years ago by looking into energy efficiency support programmes.

The application process turned out to be very complicated with many hurdles. While residents expressed interest in renovations, the hurdle of obtaining consent from all apartment owners was slow, and eventually proved impossible, especially since some units were rentals with absentee landlords. He had to give up on his endeavour.

Georgi is still interested in renovating the exterior of the multi-apartment building he calls home. He believes renovations are crucial for extending the life of old buildings, cutting electricity costs, and lowering the burden on the environment. He would like to start the process again but in order to do so he needs the right tools and support from the authorities, including reliable assistance to overcome administrative barriers, quality workmanship, and quality materials.

What is needed for change?

Independent technical assistance, provided by one-stop shops, for individuals seeking to renovate their homes. For households living in multi-apartment buildings, these one-stop shops have to support residents with collective decision-making and facilitate open dialogue between the neighbours, before and during the renovation process.