New Report Published: Study Trip to Prague Provided Key Insights for the Development of Croatian OSS Centres
A new project report, Deliverable 4.1 “Study Trip”, has been published, presenting the conclusions of the Study Trip to Prague, which brought together representatives from DOOR, KLIK and GBCC, as well as a representative of the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets. Their role was particularly important for the crOss renoHome project, given that the Ministry is responsible for implementing national programmes for the energy renovation of family houses and multi-apartment buildings.
Strengthening the Capacities of OSS Advisors
Although the study trip had originally been planned for a later stage of the project, the crOss renoHome partners recognised the need to strengthen professional competencies earlier. The opportunity to participate in the capacity-building programme in Prague enabled accelerated implementation of activities and direct learning from established OSS practices in the European Union. The inclusion of the Ministry’s representative also allowed better alignment of the technical knowledge of the Zagreb and Križevci OSS centres with national policies and European best practices.
How Did the Idea for the Study Trip Emerge?
During the LIFE/Horizon 2020 workshop on Integrated Home Renovation Services, held on 29 April 2024 in Brussels and organised by CINEA, representatives of DOOR learned about the work of the OSS in Prague. Their innovative financing model – developed in cooperation with banks – sparked interest in transferring similar solutions to Croatia. The idea of organising a study trip soon took shape, further strengthened by the involvement of delegations from the Czech Republic, Spain and Estonia.
Key Findings and New Partnerships
The study trip enabled direct learning about various models and approaches applied in other countries. Participants gained deeper insight into specific challenges, solutions and good practices, which will be highly valuable for the further development of Croatian OSS centres. In addition to the official programme, informal networking proved especially beneficial: the exchange of experiences, conversations and discussions created space for new ideas and joint initiatives. As a result, further cooperation among participating partners has been agreed.
The visit to Prague made an important contribution to shaping the business plans of the DOOR and KLIK OSS centres for the remainder of the project, particularly regarding the involvement of banks as key stakeholders for successful implementation of the crOss renoHome project.
Looking Ahead: Study Trip to the Basque Country in 2026
One of the key conclusions of the meeting was the importance of additional learning from the Opengela project, one of the most advanced and socially responsive OSS models in Europe. Given the remaining budget after the Prague trip, it was agreed that another study trip will be organised in 2026 – this time to the Basque Country. Opengela places strong emphasis on combating energy poverty, community participation and supporting vulnerable groups throughout the renovation process. These areas are highly relevant for Croatia as well, where social aspects represent one of the greatest obstacles to increasing the rate of energy renovation.
Follow DOOR, KLIK, CGBC and project’s website and social media channels and get involved in the programmes for energy advisors – you might earn the opportunity to participate in the next study trip to the Basque Country.
