Call for proposals:How can people who rent or own a flat get approval for energy transition decisions?

IN BRIEF

We are looking for (a) researcher(s) to help us compare and contrast best practices across the EU – and seek inspiration from elsewhere in the world – when it comes to mechanisms that enable renters or co-owners to overcome barriers (incl. approval) to energy transition-related actions. Such actions include installing solar panels on their roof or balcony, renovation measures, or getting a heat pump.
The goal of the research is to set up a repository of well-explained policy examples that have worked and could be applied elsewhere. 

ABOUT THE EUROPEAN CONSUMER ORGANISATION (BEUC)

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) is the largest organisation promoting the general interests of Europe’s household consumers. Founded in 1962, we represent 42 independent national consumer organisations from 31 European countries. Together with our members we inform EU policies to improve people’s lives in a sustainable and fair economy and society. The acronym ‘BEUC’ refers to our legal name, Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs. 
We cover many aspects of consumer policy, one of which is energy. We advocate for EU energy policies that benefit and protect people in an innovative market. Our approach to energy is broad and includes the need to:

• Bring affordable, secure, and fossil fuel-free electricity to households.
• Improve the uptake of clean tech such as electric cars and heat pumps.
• Make the sustainable choice – be it in terms of housing, products, services, and mobility – the easy choice.
• Enable people to be informed about and recognise the most efficient options via clear and trustworthy labelling.
• Help consumers navigate the complex energy market by having clear rights, easy comparison of what’s on offer, understandable bills, and help if something goes wrong.

The above means we look at the interaction between energy and related policy areas. Examples of such areas are transport and mobility, sustainable consumption and production (Ecodesign, energy labelling), digital policy, consumer rights, and financial services.

Through this work, BEUC endeavours to make consumers’ lives hassle-free and support the EU’s ambitions in terms of the climate, a competitive economy, and geopolitical security. 

CONTEXT FOR THIS RESEARCH

People have been locked into an energy and transport system fundamentally based on imported fossil fuels. This has a negative impact on the planet, consumers’ wallets, health, and geopolitical security. Change is afoot to decarbonise our economy, influenced by ambitious EU legislation in the energy, transport, and sustainable product sectors.

To support this change, the EU has been acting to structurally protect people better against sudden price shocks. The bloc’s 2025 ‘Affordable Energy Action Plan’ consists of many initiatives with relevance for household consumers, and consumer policy.

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has commented on many of these initiatives, including electrifying our economy, developing the electricity grid to handle this electrification, citizens’ engagement in the energy transition, decarbonising how we heat and cool our homes, and digitalisation of the energy sector. Other themes with consumer relevance/impact are housing affordability, and the role of energy security in Europe’s overall geopolitical security. 

At the same time, BEUC observes that the EU’s national energy markets are quite different from each other. Be it in terms of logic, consumer experiences, and practices. In providing examples of these to the EU institutions, BEUC has identified one specific barrier that warrants further investigation: The (lack of) ability of tenants or co-owners (i.e., people who own a flat and are part of a homeownership association) to take decisions and obtain approval for a given energy transition measure.

OBJECTIVE OF THE RESEARCH

BEUC would like to ask (a) researcher(s) to investigate whether there are tried and tested best practices in Europe or elsewhere in the world that could inspire European policies to help tenants and co-owners overcome obstacles and obtain said approval. The relations we want to explore are ‘tenant – owner’ and ‘co-owner – homeownership association’. Our goal is to discover practices to scale, i.e. recommend other countries to consider. 

THE RESEARCH, ITS DELIVERABLE, AND GUIDING QUESTIONS

The work should provide an independent assessment of what best practices exist. To this end, the researcher can draw upon case-studies – complemented by academic research, and views by regulators, think tanks, civil society actors, or trade associations. 
There is the possibility that the researcher(s) find(s) no or limited existing practices. In that event, the objective would be to compile theoretical ideas that may not have been applied yet but are pilot-ready.  
Crucially, we must be able to use the findings and discuss them with a very diverse audience. The research must therefore be presented in a clear and accessible language.

The study should result in an overview of max. 2 pages per case. The structure of each example could follow the below logic, although this can be discussed with the successful contractor:

• What was the context?
• For which group of people was it relevant: tenants, co-owners, both, or a more granular audience?
• What action did policymakers or other actors take? Did it imply regulation?
• How did they go about it?
• Was the use of any specific technology considered?
• What have the results been for households? Any (positive) impacts for specific groups of people?  Were any new challenges or further barriers uncovered? 

Referencing, in a consistent format at the discretion of the researcher, should be provided. Where relevant, this should link directly to publicly available documents. 
Annexes may be included to provide further details, such as graphics.

EXISTING INFORMATION 

Existing evidence/Past work by the BEUC:

• The 2021-2024 CLEAR-X project where we helped consumers choose renewable energy and energy-efficient appliances.
  • Document: Policy recommendations in target countries: Barrier #3: Split incentives and challenges for the private rented sector: “In most countries studied, split incentives were found to be a significant barrier to RES adoption – only Slovenia stood out as having an option whereby tenants can become prosumers if they get clear consent from the owners of the building”.
  • News article: Focus on the barriers: The split incentive between landlords and tenants.
• The 2023-2026 CLEAR-HP project where we accompanied consumers in their entire purchasing journey for a heat pump. CLEAR-HP found that legal frameworks in all project countries [1] hindered the adoption of heat pumps in multi-apartment buildings.
  • For example, “achieving consent and readiness for this transition requires substantial legislative reforms. These changes should encompass building regulations, decision-making processes within these buildings, thermal energy regulations, and the establishment of support schemes tailored to these building types. Without these reforms in place, individuals are unlikely to consider such transitions.”
• This 2022 anecdotal evidence by BEUC’s former Director-General: How I convinced my landlord to install solar panels on my roof.

Extracted from the work of others, unaffiliated with our organisation:

• Milieu Centraal, the Netherlands’ knowledge centre for sustainable living, runs a website: Met je VvE het gebouw verduurzamen [BEUC translation: Making your building more sustainable with your owners' association].
• In a 2025 publication about plug-in solar panels, trade association SolarPowerEurope discussed relevant measures (pages 29-30). 

WHAT BEUC WILL DO WITH THIS RESEARCH

1.    The first use of this research is to help build BEUC’s advocacy work. 
2.    We will disseminate the research to the BEUC network – national consumer organisations all over Europe – via our organisation’s extranet.
3.    BEUC and its members may consequently decide to issue a publication based on the examples analysed. 
4.    BEUC and its members may publish this research, wholly or in parts, to contextualise our work and engage with the above topics going forward.

TIMELINE

We would like the work to be done as soon as possible, but at the latest by July 15, 2026.

BEUC envisions this work to take between 10 and 15 days. The exact workflow can be decided with the successful contractor, but should include:

1.    An initial meeting to allow the researcher to discuss their take on the research question and goals. Are any adaptations needed? BEUC can also further contextualise any of the topics, and our internal thinking about them. 
2.    Researcher to compile research. This initial research can be followed by a meeting.
3.    Researcher to draft document. This can be followed by another meeting.
4.    BEUC to review draft and ask follow-up questions. 
5.    Researcher and BEUC to meet to discuss.
6.    Researcher completes report. 
7.    Depending on the results of the research, BEUC may invite the researcher to present their work to the BEUC membership.

A BEUC staffer (see contact details) will be available for any on-the-go questions by the researcher(s) outside of the scheduled meetings.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

• An offer for the costs of said research. This offer should specify how many days will be spent (see also the previous section).
• A short biography of the researcher(s), their affiliation, and their experience.
• A sample of previous research work relevant to consumer, household aspects of the energy transition. Alternatively, researchers focusing on home ownership and tenancy, in conjunction with the energy transition, will also be considered.
• Contact information of the researcher.
• Any other info the applicant wishes to share.
• Deadline for applications: Thursday, 19/03/2026 (23.59 Brussels time). To be sent to energy@beuc.eu. 

RESEARCHER(S)

When considering the offers, priority will be given to researcher(s) that has/have a prominent role with a high reputation in the field of energy policy. They may need to work with other experts to discuss any interdisciplinary issues.

BUDGET

The total budget allocated for this study is EUR 9,600 excl. VAT. 
No additional costs will be borne by BEUC.

FURTHER INFORMATION / CONTACT DETAILS

For clarification of any of the above, please send an e-mail to Laurens Rutten (laurens.rutten@beuc.eu). 

[1]   Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.