A main objective of the RoundBaltic project is to provide framework and catalyst for energy efficiency investments, incl. creating dialogue and enabling actions around the Smart Finance for Smart Buildings initiative and the financial pillars. The direct target countries are Poland, Latvia and Denmark, building on the activities of the Sustainable Energy Investment Forums initiative. The action will develop a supporting framework with activities such as 1) analysing the possibility to upscale existing best practices, develop strategies, roadmaps and action plans, 2) propose improvements in the national policy frameworks and measures, and 3) develop jointly template documents and contracts for a better functioning of the market, and will implement Roundtables where stakeholders can learn from successful initiatives, and can provide input into the policy making. The consortium will pursue a combined approach of addressing the national level (framework conditions) and regional level (topics of relevance for the given regions). Additionally, the project will develop enabling actions aiming to generate sustainable energy investments within the targeted energy efficiency areas of the call and will undertake in-depth evaluation of the impact gained as well as lessons learned of the operations in each target country. It will also provide networking and experience exchange among the stakeholders in each country as well as among the target countries where it makes sense. The project findings and achievements will be disseminated to relevant target groups, incl. other Baltic countries. Moreover, a small share of activities will be reserved to exchange with similar roundtables across Europe (coordinated by the Commission services).

Energy efficiency of buildings plays a paramount role in the European Commission (EC), who aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 in Europe through a socially-fair transition in a cost-efficient manner. The role of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to boost building energy renovation is widely considered crucial in the literature because they are fundamental to provide better information to all the actors involved in the building renovation process. Besides, EPCs can act as a link between the different types of actions (institutional, financial, others) that will be needed to accomplish the building renovation goals. The crossCert project will create a product testing methodology for the new EPC approaches that will result in: improved accuracy and usability of the EPCs, people-centric designs, and increased homogeneity across Europe. The crossCert project is based on a bottom-up approach, with the following stages: (1) Cross-testing among energy authorities of current EPCs and the new approaches/concepts/initiatives, using more than 140 buildings in 10 European countries, and creating a public benchmarking repository of test cases; (2) Comparing and analysing the results between different approaches; (3) Elaboration of policy recommendations, which will include potential improvements on the accuracy, usability and harmonisation; (4) Engaging networks and alliances for analysis and (5) for outreach. Beyond accuracy, usability and harmonization, crossCert will use the cross-assessment exercise to conduct research and issue guidelines on: training and education of certified EPC issuers; EPC promotion and marketing; adapting EPCs investor needs; linking next-generation of EPCs to energy audits, logbooks and Building Renovation Passports; and EPCs and one-stop shops for building renovation.

MENS is a project conceived in order to provide an enhance the NZEB skills of building managers such as engineers and architect through a series of accredited training activities developed by 9 universities and 3 market players. MENS aims: - To increase the knowledre and skills of at least 1800 building managers (engineers, architects) in NZEB design and construction, out of which 50% would be women or unemployed. - To create and implement a new education and training program for such professionals in 10 countries, under the European Qualifications Framework provisions and based on desired and common learning outcomes of Level 7. - To create and implement an innovative, interdisciplinary education and training program with an integrated approach, focusing on real case studies - To accredit courses using the formal procedure in each country and assign ECTS credits. - To enhance and support the development of a professional network in Europe specifically focused on retrofitting of housing stocks towards NZEB. A connection with over 250,000 stakeholders and market players. - To provide working opportunities to unemployed professionals, by bringing them closer to possible employers and improving their qualifications, at a percentage of 30% of those attending. - To continue the education and training courses for at least 5 years after the end of the project based on concrete sustainability plans agreed by University partners. - To result in energy savings and/or increased use of renewables of at least 28,96 GWh/year. MENS is developed through 3 sets of training activities: national accreditation professional courses; e- learning and webinars: and case studies experiences around Europe and it involves involves major universities and stakeholders either directly or as Associated Partners engaged with LOS. MENS finally benefits from a strong media promotional activity through a wide network of local TVs and RTBF.

BiogasAction aim to serve as vehicle for the development of the European biogas sector and thereby contribute to the EU 2020 targets by focusing on removing non-technical barriers to widespread production of biogas/biomethane from manure and other waste. Central driver is the cooperation between different policy levels at EU, national and regional level. The project will boost biogas development in the target regions in conjunction with replication efforts & promotion at broad EU scale. BiogasAction key activity & expected impact: • A web portal containing EU-wide biogas market overview, technical biogas and biomethane information and experience of EU/national biogas projects, case studies and free on-line/off-line biogas tools • Biogas and biomethane intervention strategy plans in the 9 target regions • Replication of the project in 5 EU countries/regions • A guidance document for investors about financing biogas/biomethane project and reducing investment risk. • A guidance document for policy and decision makers and for local authorities/municipalities, to enable them to improve national framework conditions for biogas and biomethane deployment • Definition and support of a total of 50 high quality, sustainable biogas projects in the 9 target regions. • 3 peer learning European workshops focusing on key competence areas (80 participants), 1 European roundtable about advanced biogas applications, organisation of at least 1 national energy info day in each target region, with more than 100 participants/event • 3-4 events/training courses per target region for public administration aimed to improve the framework, including follow-up of the recommendations • 2-4 events/training courses per target region aimed to raise the public acceptance • A local training package incl. use of training material from previous projects • Series of 6-8 trainings in each of the 9 target regions on specific topics for biogas plant operators • Final event on project achievements