Understanding energy poverty at the local level and the role of multi-apartment buildings

This report lays the conceptual foundation for addressing energy poverty in Europe, with particular attention to the challenges posed by private multi-apartment buildings (MABs). It reviews EU, national, and local policy frameworks, and highlights barriers such as poor building performance, fragmented ownership and decision-making, financing gaps, and limited municipal capacity that constrain effective energy poverty alleviation. A systematic review of 57 local initiatives across Europe illustrates both promising practices and persistent shortcomings, particularly the lack of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The analysis underscores the importance of multi-level governance and the critical role of municipalities, civil society organisations, and housing entities as intermediaries in linking policy objectives with on-the-ground delivery.