CrOss renoHome: A Year in Review – What Have We Achieved in the First Year of the Project?

The crOss renoHome project, launched in October 2023, has completed its first year. Below is a summary of the key milestones and results achieved during the initial 12 months of the project:

We Opened an Office in Križevci

As part of the crOss renoHome project, the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) for comprehensive home renovation was officially opened on September 20, 2024, in Križevci. This is the first center of its kind in Croatia.

The OSS provides citizens with:

  • Comprehensive information on energy-efficient home renovations.
  • Guidance on reducing utility costs.
  • Advice on improving the quality and comfort of living spaces.

The opening of this center represents a significant step forward in making energy renovation accessible and understandable for homeowners across the region.

For more details about the office opening, visit here.

Study Trip to Prague

From June 26 to 27, 2024, the Czech host, Passive House Centre – Pasivnidomy.cz, welcomed delegations from Spain, the Czech Republic, Croatia, and Estonia.

The Croatian delegation included representatives from:

  • The Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Assets.
  • DOOR (Society for Sustainable Development Design).
  • KLIK (Energy-Climate Office Križevci).
  • CGBC (Croatian Green Building Council).

As part of the crOss renoHome project, we had the opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Prague on this educational study trip!

For more details about the trip, read more at the link here.

Kick-off Meeting Held in Zagreb, Followed by Partner Meetings in Križevci and Zagreb

At the end of October 2023, we organized the kick-off meeting for the LIFE crOss renoHome project in Zagreb. The project was launched to provide citizens with a comprehensive package of solutions for energy-efficient renovations, all available in one place through the One-Stop-Shop (OSS).

Partner Meetings in Križevci and Zagreb

As part of the crOss renoHome project, two partner meetings were held:

  • March 2024 in Križevci.
  • September 2024 in Zagreb.

During these in-person meetings, discussions focused on:

  • Reviewing the results from the past six months.
  • Planning activities and milestones for the next six months.
  • Building the Marketplace platform and finalizing the verification process for joining the platform.
  • Preparing for the official opening of OSS locations in Zagreb and Križevci.

For more details, read more about the Kick-off meeting and the Partner meeting in Križevci.

Nine Free Workshops and Individual Consultations for Citizens

In 2024, as part of the crOss renoHome project, we organized nine free workshops and individual consultations to support citizens with the application process for Public Calls.

Workshops Supporting Public Calls for Energy Renovation

  1. Five Workshops in Zagreb, Gospić, and Križevci
    These workshops were held in response to:
    • The Public Call for co-financing energy renovation of family homes, opened in March 2024.
    • The Public Call for co-financing energy renovation of multi-residential buildings, opened in June 2024.

    The workshops aimed to:

    • Provide citizens with valuable information on how to apply for these Public Calls.
    • Motivate undecided homeowners to take the step towards energy renovation.

    Over 130 citizens attended the workshops, where they actively engaged in discussions and sought clarity on:

    • Legal regulations related to properties.
    • Opportunities for co-financing multiple energy efficiency measures.
    • Detailed explanations of specific terms used in the Public Calls.
  2. Individual Consultations
    In addition to group workshops, individual consultations were organized to address specific concerns and guide citizens through the application process.

Public Call by the City of Križevci

In 2023 and 2024, the City of Križevci launched the Public Call for Promoting Energy Efficiency in Households.”

  • The call was divided into two parts, with one segment specifically targeting energy-poor households, ensuring inclusivity and support for vulnerable groups.

Through these efforts, the crOss renoHome project continues to promote energy efficiency and empower citizens to take advantage of available financial incentives for home renovation.

Over 150 individual consultations with citizens have been conducted, and 60 project documentation packages have been prepared for submission to five Public Calls announced so far.

For more details about the workshops, follow the links:

Workshop Held in Križevci: “How to Obtain Co-Financing for Energy Renovation of Family Homes in 2024”

A workshop was held as part of the Public Call for the energy renovation of family homes in 2024..

KLIK concluded its promotional campaign on the Public Call for energy efficiency with its third free workshop for citizens in Križevci.

Our partner KLIK continues the series of workshops on the Križevci public call for promoting energy efficiency – the city co-finances solar panels and attic thermal insulation.

A workshop was held in Križevci at KLIK, focusing on the city’s public call for promoting energy efficiency – the city co-finances solar panels and attic thermal insulation.

A free workshop was held in Križevci on applying for the grant call “Energy Renovation of Multi-Residential Buildings.”

Workshops were held as part of the Public Call for grants for energy renovation of multi-residential buildings, announced by the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Assets.

The first workshop for the Public Call for energy renovation of multi-residential buildings in 2024 was held in Gospić.

We Developed Seven Project Documents and a Website

To ensure the smooth implementation of the project, we created seven documents, approved by the project Partners, for the development of further activities in accordance with the Ethical Code and data protection regulations:

  • D1.2 Consortium Agreement
  • D1.1 Data Protection Manual

Additionally, we submitted a report for the first nine months of project implementation (D1.3 – Technical Progress Report) and D1.4 Project Data Extract from the LIFE KPI Web Tool. One of the most valuable reports produced is D3.1 Educational Materials for Energy Advisors.

Project visibility and promotion were ensured through D5.2 Communication and Dissemination Plan, while the project’s visual identity was established through the website www.crossreno.door.hr and further details in the report D5.1 Project Identity and Specific Website for the Project and Partners.

We Certified 21 Energy Advisors

As mentioned at the outset, one of the project’s goals was to train energy advisors to work at the One-Stop-Shop. Therefore, as part of the partner meeting in Križevci, a unique Energy Advisor Training was held. The aim of the training was to equip advisors with the skills to provide quality advice to citizens and other interested stakeholders involved in home energy renovation processes in Croatia.

After successfully passing the test, we now have 8 certified energy advisors. As part of this work package, D3.1 Educational Materials for Energy Advisors, the Energy Advisor Manual, as well as the training presentation and recording, were also issued.

 

Infographics Created for the Project

  • Infographic 1: link
  • Infographic 2: link
  • Infographic 3: link
  • Infographic 4: link

Online Advisory Group Established

The Facebook group – “Home Energy Renovation in One Place – crOss renoHome” – has been created. –link

crOss renoHome at National and International Events

  • GBC presented the project in April 2024 during the “GBC Two-Day Online Training: New Energy Performance of Buildings Directive – EPBD” – more at the link.
  • DOOR participated in a meeting in April 2024, as part of the LIFE Project Coordinators Meeting under the LIFE Call for Integrated Home Renovation Services to LIFE/Horizon 2020.
  • DOOR attended a workshop in May 2024 on “Funding Opportunities for Projects for Business Users and Public Authorities” in Koprivnica – more at the link.
  • DOOR also participated in a similar workshop in May 2024 in Šibenik, Croatia – more at the link.
  • DOOR took part in an online info day in June 2024: CET INFO DAY, June 4, 2024.
  • KLIK held an info day in June 2024 – more at the link.
  • DOOR participated in the EU Peers Event in June 2024: The First Summit of the European Community for Integrated Home Renovation Services, held in Brussels, Belgium.
  • DOOR organized an info day in June 2024 – more at the link.
  • The official opening of the OSS in Križevci took place in September 2024.

    Engaging Articles Published as Part of the crOss renoHome Project

    As part of the crOss renoHome project, an engaging article was created to inform the public about energy renovation for their homes. One notable article titled How to Calculate Energy Loss in Your Home introduced a simple tool for calculating the energy efficiency class of a property.