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14 May 2026
CEESEN-BENDER Conference: Energy Renovation and Energy Poverty
14 May 2026, Zagreb (HR)
Practical Pathways Forward in Central Eastern Europe
Join the CEESEN-BENDER team on 14 May in Zagreb, Croatia for a strategic forum dedicated to exchanging concrete experiences, policies, and financial models for the deep renovation of multi-apartment buildings in Central and Eastern Europe! Energy poverty and renovation efforts remain key topics across Europe, as buildings are responsible for 40% of Europe’s total energy consumption. Matija Eppert, the project coordinator, said that besides being a technical matter, energy renovations are also a social opportunity. “Every renovated building means a warmer, healthier, and more affordable home for thousands of citizens struggling with energy poverty across CEE,” said Eppert.
The CEESEN-BENDER final conference connects policymakers, local stakeholders, and citizens to jointly address the challenge of energy poverty.
Bringing together participants from Croatia, Estonia, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia, the conference will cover renovation and climate plans, practical financing models to support vulnerable households, and a showcase of tools, solutions, and best practices from EU projects and partner cities. You will have the opportunity to exchange experiences on the implementation of National Renovation Plans and Social Climate Plans in CEE countries and discover practical financing models and tools for involving energy-poor citizens in renovation processes.
Connect with project leaders, local authorities and energy agencies working together in the CEESEN-BENDER project to foster new partnerships and strengthen your local capacities through best practice examples with stakeholders from Ptuj, Čakovec, Alba Iulia, Tartu, and Warsaw!
The event is the final conference of Climate Alliance’s project CEESEN-BENDER. Registration to the conference is open for both online and in person participation.
Conference Agenda
Affordable and Sustainable Renovation Pathways to Combat Energy Poverty in CEE Multi-Apartment Buildings
Arrival & Registration
09:30 – 10:00
Welcome Words
Miljenka Kuhar, Director, Society for Sustainable Development Design (DOOR), Croatia
10:00 – 10:15
Practical Renovation Solutions from the CEESEN-BENDER Project
– CEESEN-BENDER Project Goals and Impact, Miljenka Kuhar, DOOR, Croatia
– Energy Poverty Survey Results from CEE Countries, Tomislav Cik, DOOR, Croatia
– Tool Demonstration: Simple Renovation Return on Investment Calculator, Julia Bartkowiak, Mazovia Energy Agency (MAE), Poland
– Building Renovation Pilot Area Roadmaps across Five CEE Countries, Tiberiu Toma, Alba Iulia Energy Agency, Romania
10:15 – 11:55
Coffee Break & Networking
12:00 – 12:30
Practical Tools from Sister Projects
– MESTRI-CE Tools for Smart and Sustainable Management of Buildings, Julia Bartkowiak & Martyna Rosiak, MAE, Poland
– AI Advisory Tool to Optimise the Renovation Process (DEAP Project), Rami Kotilainen, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Finland
– Prefabricated Facade Panels: The Estonian Experience, Martin Kikas, Tartu Regional Energy Agency, Estonia
12:30 – 13:30
Networking Lunch & Poster Presentations
13:30 – 15:00
Panel Discussion: Policy and Practice – From National Renovation Plans to Local Action
– Representative, City of Zagreb, Croatia
– Representative, Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets, Croatia
– Erik Potočar, Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy, Slovenia
– Izabela Szostak-Smith, City Hall of Warsaw, Poland
– Kaspar Alev, Ministry of Climate, Estonia
– Irina Tatu, Romanian Network of Energy Cities, Romania
– Andreea Sicoe, Centru Development Agency, Romania
15:00 – 16:15
Panel Discussion: Energy Observatories and Practical Tools to Address Energy Poverty
– Kristina Eisfeld, Energy Poverty Advisory Hub
– Karine Jegiazarjana, Climate Alliance
– Alice Corovessi, INZEB
– Irina Tatu, Romanian Network of Energy Cities
– Representative, National Fund for Energy Efficiency, Croatia
16:15 – 17:30
Have questions? Get in touch!
Eva Suba
T. +49 69 717 139 – 35
E. e.suba@climatealliance.org
