One-Stop-Shops - Integrated services for clean energy transition in private buildings
Overview
LIFE-2026-CET-OSS funds creation or replication of One-Stop Shops delivering integrated end-to-end services to enable clean energy transition in private buildings, aligned with the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The topic has an indicative budget of €9,000,000 for 2026, a recommended EU contribution of up to €1.5 million per project, and finances Other Action Grants at a 95% rate requiring 5% co-financing. Eligible applicants are public or private legal entities established in eligible countries and proposals may be submitted by a single applicant or applicants from a single eligible country. Proposals must pilot operational OSS that trigger initial investments, provide the full customer journey (technical assessment and design, contractor selection and contracting, financing facilitation, supervision, verification and quality assurance), demonstrate a path to financial sustainability and quantify results at project end and five years after; submission deadline 16 September 2026.
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Highlights
What it funds
Focus and activities supported
Creation or replication of One-Stop Shops (OSS) delivering end-to-end integrated services to support clean energy transition works in private buildings (owner-occupied or rental residential, residential owned by professional landlords, or commercial tertiary buildings occupied by SMEs). Services must cover the full customer journey: technical assessment and renovation design, selection and contracting of professionals, financing facilitation/provision, supervision, quality assurance and performance verification. Pilot implementation must trigger initial investments and test organisational and business models.
Grant size and rate:The LIFE CET call allocates €9,000,000 to this topic in 2026. The Commission considers proposals requesting up to €1.5 million appropriate, funding rate 95% for Other Action Grants 1.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include public or private legal persons (for-profit or not-for-profit), single applicants or applicants from a single eligible country. Projects may be implemented by one beneficiary; services may be delivered by public bodies, private entities, NGOs, SMEs, ESCOs, energy agencies, local/regional authorities and consortia. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to deliver end-to-end services and form partnerships with local market actors and financiers.
Key eligibility and design requirements
- 1Focus on a single target market segment (owner-occupied/residential by professional landlord/commercial tertiary occupied by SMEs); territory and target users must be clearly justified
- 2End-to-end in-person and online support across technical design, contractor selection, contracting, financing facilitation and quality assurance; mere diagnostics or online-only platforms are not eligible
- 3Pilot phase must trigger first investments and evidence operational OSS (infrastructure, staff, partnerships, outreach) before project end
- 4Proposals must quantify expected results at project end and 5 years after (e.g. units reached, onsite visits, projects implemented, investment volume, energy and GHG savings)
- 5Demonstrate a credible path to financially sustainable OSS business models that minimise reliance on public subsidies and make data/guidance publicly available to enable replication
Funding and schedule highlights
| Call / Topic | LIFE Clean Energy Transition — LIFE-2026-CET-OSS |
|---|---|
| Topic budget (2026) | €9,000,000 (indicative for this topic) |
| Suggested EU contribution per proposal | Up to €1,500,000 (indicative) |
| Funding rate | 95% (Other Action Grants) |
| Opening / Deadline | Opening 21 Apr 2026 — Deadline 16 Sep 2026 (17:00 Brussels time) |
What evaluators will prioritise
Priority will be given to proposals that show innovative approaches, strong local partnerships and clear replication potential, and those addressing regions where integrated home renovation services are underdeveloped. Residential-focused proposals must plan cooperation with the EU-PEERS community.
How to apply
Submit a full application via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal before the deadline. Use the LIFE application templates and follow admissibility, eligibility and reporting rules in the Call Document and Application Form available in the Submission System 1.
Footnotes
- 1Call documentation, application templates and submission instructions are published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (Funding & Tenders Portal || ec.europa.eu). See the LIFE-2026-CET call fiche and the topic page LIFE-2026-CET-OSS for full conditions.
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Breakdown
Call and administrative facts
Call title:LIFE Clean Energy Transition (LIFE-2026-CET). Topic identifier: LIFE-2026-CET-OSS. Type of action: LIFE Project Grants — Other Action Grants (OAG) / LIFE-PJG. Type of Model Grant Agreement: LIFE Action Grant Budget-Based [LIFE-AG]. Opening date: 21 April 2026. Deadline date: 16 September 2026 17:00:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission). Submission channel: EU Funding & Tenders Portal electronic submission (single-stage open call).
Budget for topic and indicative requested project contribution:Topic-level indicative contribution across selected topics: LIFE-2026-CET-OSS allocated €9,000,000 (indicative topic budget for 2026). The Commission considers that proposals requesting an EU contribution of up to €1.5 million would allow the specific objectives to be addressed appropriately, but proposals requesting other amounts may be submitted and selected.
Purpose, scope and expected results
Objective:Establish, pilot-test and make operational One-Stop Shops (OSS) offering integrated end-to-end services that enable and accelerate clean energy transition works in private buildings. OSS must provide proactive, comprehensive and operational support across the full renovation customer journey, including technical assessment and renovation design; selection of qualified professionals and contractors; contracting and coordination of works; facilitation or provision of financing solutions; supervision of works, performance verification and quality assurance. Proposals must focus primarily on one market segment: (a) residential buildings owned by a private individual (owner-occupied or rental housing), (b) residential buildings owned by a professional landlord, or (c) commercial tertiary buildings (especially SME-occupied).
Relevance and legal framework:Actions must be aligned with the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), and the Commission Recommendation on one-stop shops. OSS must demonstrate added value beyond transposition compliance and be designed considering national context and the current status of EED and EPBD implementation in the targeted Member State(s). Proposals are expected to build on EU-PEERS resources and, for residential-focused OSS, to cooperate with the EU-PEERS community 1.
Expected qualitative outcomes and operational requirements
- 1Integrated services fully implemented, operational and tested before project end (infrastructure, formalised partnerships, recruited staff, launched outreach). Pilot phase must trigger first investments validating the service concept.
- 2Strong partnerships with local actors across value chains (SMEs, architects, engineers, ESCOs, financial institutions, chambers, professional associations, local/regional authorities, energy agencies, civil society). Evidence: signed charters, agreements, framework contracts.
- 3Increased awareness and trust among end-users supported by accountability mechanisms (quality assurance, consumer protection policies).
- 4Clear prospects for economically viable business models with minimized dependence on public subsidies — identification of revenue streams and strategic actions toward financial independence.
- 5Public availability of data and guidance to support replication by other market actors (types of data, intended users, access conditions).
Pilot requirement and testing:Proposals must include pilot activities that trigger initial investments, strengthen organisational capacity, standardise processes, reduce delivery costs and times, and ensure price transparency. Proposals primarily relying on online-only platforms without adequate on-site interaction will be deemed irrelevant. Actions limited solely to legal compliance with transposition of EED/EPBD OSS articles are not relevant for selection.
Quantitative indicators requested (project and 5-year post-project)
- 1Number of building units credibly expected to benefit from OSS services (territorial scope and service availability justification).
- 2Amount of in-person support to building owners measured in full-time equivalent (FTE) staff.
- 3Number of initial contacts (building owners) made by the OSS.
- 4Number of on-site visits conducted (number of building units, differentiated by category where relevant).
- 5Number of investment projects effectively implemented (number of building units, categories if relevant).
- 6Average global conversion rate (%) from initial contacts to completed investments.
- 7Average percentage of energy savings per investment project (%).
- 8Common LIFE CET programme indicators (must be quantified): Primary energy savings (GWh/year), Final energy savings (GWh/year), Renewable energy generation (GWh/year), Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (t CO2-eq/year), Investments in sustainable energy triggered (cumulative, million Euro).
Priority and selection preferences
The Commission will prioritise proposals that:demonstrate innovative approaches to achieve objectives; address regions where integrated home renovation services remain underdeveloped; convincingly enable delivery of ambitious energy renovations; include cooperation with EU-PEERS for residential work. For proposals mainly developing financing offers, applicants are invited to apply to LIFE-2026-CET-PRIVAFIN; for actions primarily addressing energy-poor households needing additional support, LIFE-2026-CET-ENERPOV is recommended.
Eligibility, consortium and geographic rules
Eligible applicants and countries:Eligibility of participants and eligible countries follows section 6 of the Call document and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal rules. Proposals may be submitted by a single applicant or by applicants from a single eligible country. Applicants must consult Section 6 of the call document for the full list of eligible countries and other eligibility rules.
Consortium requirement (this topic):Single applicant allowed or applicants from a single eligible country; consortium not mandatory. However, the OSS concept requires trustful partnerships; proposals should demonstrate operational partnerships and capacity to deliver end-to-end services.
Funding modalities, rates and co-funding
Form of grant:LIFE Action Grant, budget-based (mixed forms of funding may be present under Call rules). Funding rate: Other Action Grants (OAGs) — 95% where applicable. Commission guidance: the Commission considers that proposals requesting up to €1.5 million EU contribution would allow objectives to be addressed appropriately (but other amounts can be requested).
Co-funding requirement:The LIFE OAG funding rate (95%) implies that the project must include the remaining financing sources (applicant own contribution and/or complementary funding). Applicants must check the call document and Annex templates for cofinancing declaration and complementary funding plans when required. Specific complementary funding declaration templates exist for some LIFE instruments.
Application and evaluation process
Submission method:Single-stage open call via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System (Part A generated in the portal; Part B narrative uploaded as PDF using the applicable LIFE application templates). Deadline: 16 September 2026 17:00 Brussels time. Evaluation and award: follows the procedures and criteria in the Call document (see sections 5a, €5Band 5c in the Portal topic page).
- 1Deadline model: single-stage; opening: 21 April 2026; deadline: 16 September 2026.
- 2Evaluation steps: single-stage evaluation (completeness/admissibility, eligibility checks, award criteria scoring and thresholds, compliance with mandatory topic requirements). Exact scoring thresholds and award breakdown are described in the call document.
- 3Indicative timeline: evaluation timeline and grant agreement signature follows section 4 of the call document; consult call document for expected dates.
Application templates, compulsory annexes and administrative documents
Applicants must follow the LIFE Application Form structure:Part A (administrative forms completed in the portal) and Part B (technical description uploaded as PDF). The specific LIFE templates and annexes available in the Submission System must be used. Mandatory annexes and documents referenced in the portal include:
- 1Application Form templates: Standard application form (LIFE SAP and OAG) — specific to the call is available in the Submission System; other SAP/SIP/OG templates for specialised actions are available as relevant.
- 2Detailed Budget table (LIFE) — Detailed Budget Table spreadsheet templates (for the applicable grant type) to be completed and uploaded.
- 3Participant information (LIFE) — participant-specific annex for organisational descriptions and staff.
- 4Cofinancing declaration and Complementary Funding Plan / Complementary Funding Declaration templates where required (e.g. SIP/SNAP projects).
- 5Maps, Description of sites/species/habitats (for Nature projects where applicable).
- 6Model Grant Agreement (LIFE MGA) and operating grants flat-rate MGA are available for review in the Reference Documents.
- 7Standard administrative annex templates for specific categories (e.g. financial statements, certificates) are published in the Portal Reference Documents.
Applicants must consult the call-specific Conditions and Documents section in the Portal for a definitive list of required annexes and templates and must not substitute their own templates. The Portal Online Manual and the EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement are key guidance resources.
Admissibility and eligibility checks, financial capacity, exclusions
Admissibility rules:Page limits, font size (Arial 10), PDF upload of Part B, and other layout and submission requirements are set out in the call document and Part B templates. Eligible countries and other eligibility conditions are detailed in section 6 of the call document. Financial and operational capacity checks and exclusion rules follow section 7 of the call document and the Portal guidance (Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR appointment and financial capacity assessments).
Budget, eligible costs, financial management and procurement
Budget categories and eligible costs follow the LIFE rules (personnel, subcontracting, purchase costs, other direct costs, indirect costs flat rate). For LIFE-PJG OAGs the general funding rate and eligible costs are as stated in the call. Personnel costs must be calculated and justified in the Detailed Budget Table; SMEs and volunteers are subject to unit-cost methods if used. Subcontracting must follow best-value-for-money and procurement rules and must normally be exceptional. Equipment is typically eligible as depreciation (unless call states otherwise). Indirect costs apply at the specified flat rates (see templates).
| Budget item | Typical treatment (LIFE-PJG OAG) |
|---|---|
| Personnel costs | Actual costs (person-months / daily rates) or unit-cost rules where relevant; must be justified in part A/B and budget table |
| Subcontracting | Eligible, exceptional and procured according to best value rules; must be justified |
| Equipment | Depreciation in most cases; full costs only if specified in call |
| Other costs (travel, supplies) | Actual incurred costs, justified |
| Indirect costs | Flat-rate percentage of eligible direct costs (see call templates and Annex) |
Evaluation, award criteria and success likelihood
Evaluation criteria and scoring thresholds are described in section 9 of the Call document. The overall selection rate is not published for the topic; success rates depend on call competitiveness. Applicants should ensure: clarity in expected results and impacts, a strong baseline analysis, clear causality between activities and results, robust KPIs (project and 5-year post-project), operational business model and replication plan, and strong local partnerships (letters of commitment).
Application stages, timeline and forms of support
- 1Application type: single-stage open call (one submission, full proposal).
- 2Number of stages to succeed: 1 (single-stage selection, then grant negotiation and signature).
- 3Nature of support: Financial grant (EU contribution), complemented by non-monetary services expected from partnerships; OAGs typically finance up to the specified funding rate (95% for OAGs) and require co-financing from beneficiaries or complementary sources.
- 4Success rates: Not specified in the call; selection driven by competitiveness, score against award criteria and available budget.
Success and risk management guidance
Applicants must provide a risk register and mitigation strategy, explain sustainability and exploitation (business model, revenue streams), detail the pilot investment trigger mechanism and pipeline, quantify expected energy savings and investment mobilised (project end and 5 years after), and provide a data and dissemination plan to facilitate replication. Cooperation with local/regional authorities and evidence of political buy-in are strongly recommended.
Templates and application form structure
Main application elements to prepare and upload via the Portal Submission System:Portal-generated Part A (administrative forms) and Part B (technical description) PDF using the LIFE AF template. Key annexes/templates to assemble and upload: Detailed Budget Table (LIFE), Participant Information annex (one per participant), Cofinancing declaration (if required), Complementary Funding Plan/Declaration (if SIP/SNAP or when complementary funding is needed), Maps/Description of sites (where relevant), Letters of support and commitment from partners and local authorities, Procurement plans and subcontracting justifications (if any). Applicants must follow the page limits and formatting rules in the template and call document. The standard application form (LIFE SAP and OAG) and other standard templates are available in the Submission System and Reference Documents on the Portal.
Eligible Applicant Types (detailed)
Eligible applicant types for this topic include:local and regional public authorities; municipalities; public-private partnerships; energy agencies; energy service companies (ESCOs); SMEs and large enterprises active in construction, renovation, energy services or financing; financial institutions and banks (for partnership and financing offers); non-profit organisations; research organisations and universities (for evidence, M&E and evaluation support); chambers of commerce; professional associations (architects, engineers); consumer organisations and civil society organisations; community energy actors; and other market intermediaries able to deliver end-to-end services. Individual natural persons are generally not appropriate as lead applicants for this topic. Applicants must verify eligible country status in section 6 of the Call document and the Portal.
Target sector and project stage
Target sector:Buildings / construction / energy renovation / clean heating & cooling and associated services (OSS business models). Thematic sectors: energy efficiency, building renovation, renewable heating (heat pumps, solar thermal), financial services for renovation, project development assistance, market facilitation and supply chain coordination. Project maturity expected: demonstration / validation / pilot at local/regional level leading to operationalisation and pilot investments during the project; clear scaling and replication planning beyond project end is required.
Mentioned countries and geographic eligibility
Geographic eligibility:EU Member States and other countries listed as eligible in the LIFE call (see Call document section 6). The call text references Member States and the need to explain national EED/EPBD OSS implementation. No single non-EU countries are explicitly named in the topic description; applicants must consult the call document for the full eligible country list (EU and associated). For the topic the operating expectation is projects implemented in Member State territories; certain LIFE templates reference associated countries that participate in LIFE.
Application advice checklist
- 1Clearly specify which of the three target market segments the OSS will focus on and justify territorial scope and segmentation of potential users.
- 2Provide a precise starting point analysis and describe comparable initiatives in the national context (status of EED/EPBD OSS implementation).
- 3Include a pilot plan that triggers first investments and demonstrates conversion from contact to investments (provide conversion targets and staffing/FTE plans).
- 4Present a detailed business model and revenue streams that demonstrate a path to financial sustainability beyond public subsidies.
- 5Detail governance, contractual liability arrangements (especially for multi-stakeholder delivery chains) and quality assurance/consumer protection mechanisms.
- 6Provide quantitative KPIs for end of project and five years after in line with the topic list.
- 7Include data management and public data release plan for replication by other actors and cooperation plan with EU-PEERS (residential-focused proposals).
- 8Use the Portal templates and include all mandatory annexes (budget, participant information, complementary funding declarations where required).
What is this opportunity and how to explain it?
This LIFE-2026-CET-OSS funding topic supports creation or replication of operational One-Stop Shops that deliver integrated, on-the-ground services enabling building owners to plan, finance and implement ambitious clean energy renovations and renewable heating/cooling measures. The funding primarily supports pilot operationalisation, initial investment triggering, partnership formation, staff recruitment, quality assurance and business model testing. Applicants should propose an end-to-end service concept with both online and in-person elements, substantive pilot activity that drives first investments, strong local delivery partnerships (construction, finance, professional services), a credible path to financial sustainability beyond project funding, and public data/guidance outputs to enable replication. The action is suitable for organisations or consortia with operational capacity to deliver renovation support services and mobilise a pipeline of projects and investments. The Commission suggests an indicative per-project EU contribution up to €1.5 million but allows other amounts where justified.
Key administrative documentation to prepare:the Portal Part A fields, the LIFE application Part B narrative template (technical description), the Detailed Budget Table for the LIFE programme, participant information annexes, cofinancing/complementary funding plans where applicable, letters of commitment from local/regional authorities and delivery partners, and any required certificates or guarantees as specified in the call. Adhere strictly to the submission system rules and the page limits in the template.
This summary is compiled directly from the LIFE-2026-CET call and topic page for LIFE-2026-CET-OSS accessible on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and the call documentation. Applicants must consult the official Call document, call annexes, LIFE Model Grant Agreement and the Portal Online Manual and use the templates published in the Submission System when preparing and submitting their proposal.
Footnotes
- 1EU-PEERS (eu-peers.eu) is an EU-supported community platform offering operational guidance, best practice examples and capacity-building resources for practitioners involved in integrated home renovation services. The topic requires residential-focused proposals to cooperate with the EU-PEERS community.
Short Summary
Impact Establish and operationally test One-Stop-Shops that deliver end-to-end renovation services for private buildings, trigger initial investments, achieve measurable energy and GHG savings, and produce publicly available data/guidance to enable replication and long-term financial viability. | Impact | Establish and operationally test One-Stop-Shops that deliver end-to-end renovation services for private buildings, trigger initial investments, achieve measurable energy and GHG savings, and produce publicly available data/guidance to enable replication and long-term financial viability. |
Applicant Organizations able to deliver operational end-to-end renovation services, mobilise pilot investment pipelines, form and manage multi-stakeholder partnerships, implement quality assurance and monitoring, and design sustainable business models and M&E frameworks. | Applicant | Organizations able to deliver operational end-to-end renovation services, mobilise pilot investment pipelines, form and manage multi-stakeholder partnerships, implement quality assurance and monitoring, and design sustainable business models and M&E frameworks. |
Developments Creation or replication of One-Stop-Shops for clean energy transition in private buildings covering the full customer journey: technical assessment and design, contractor selection and contracting, financing facilitation/provision, on-site supervision, performance verification and quality assurance. | Developments | Creation or replication of One-Stop-Shops for clean energy transition in private buildings covering the full customer journey: technical assessment and design, contractor selection and contracting, financing facilitation/provision, on-site supervision, performance verification and quality assurance. |
Applicant Type NGOs/non-profits, profit SMEs/startups, large corporations, researchers, government organizations. | Applicant Type | NGOs/non-profits, profit SMEs/startups, large corporations, researchers, government organizations. |
Consortium Single applicants are allowed and a consortium is not mandatory (projects may be submitted by a single beneficiary or applicants from a single eligible country). | Consortium | Single applicants are allowed and a consortium is not mandatory (projects may be submitted by a single beneficiary or applicants from a single eligible country). |
Funding Amount Topic budget €9,000,000 (2026); Commission considers up to €1,500,000 EU contribution per proposal appropriate; funding rate 95% (beneficiary co-financing 5%). | Funding Amount | Topic budget €9,000,000 (2026); Commission considers up to €1,500,000 EU contribution per proposal appropriate; funding rate 95% (beneficiary co-financing 5%). |
Countries Eligible in EU Member States and countries associated to the LIFE programme (EEA and other associated countries) — projects should address national implementation status of EED/EPBD in target Member State(s). | Countries | Eligible in EU Member States and countries associated to the LIFE programme (EEA and other associated countries) — projects should address national implementation status of EED/EPBD in target Member State(s). |
Industry LIFE Clean Energy Transition sub-programme, targeting building renovation, energy efficiency and renewable heating/cooling in the buildings sector. | Industry | LIFE Clean Energy Transition sub-programme, targeting building renovation, energy efficiency and renewable heating/cooling in the buildings sector. |
Additional Web Data
Funding Opportunity Overview
This call supports the creation or replication of One-Stop Shops (OSS) delivering integrated services for clean energy transition in private buildings. The opportunity is part of the LIFE Clean Energy Transition sub-programme and aims to address market barriers that prevent private building owners from implementing sustainable energy improvements. The initiative aligns with the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), and the Commission Recommendation on one-stop shops.
Key Funding Details
Total Budget Available:€9,000,000 for the 2026 call cycle.
Funding Rate:95% for Other Action Grants (OAGs). Applicants must secure co-financing for the remaining 5%.
Recommended Grant Size:The Commission considers proposals requesting up to €1.5 million appropriate for addressing the specific objectives. However, other amounts are not precluded from submission and selection.
Submission Deadline:16 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission).
Opening Date:21 April 2026.
Eligible Applicants and Consortium Requirements
Proposals may be submitted by a single applicant or by applicants from a single eligible country. Eligible countries include EU Member States and associated countries to the LIFE Programme (EEA countries and countries with association agreements). Applicants must be public or private entities such as NGOs, companies, universities, research institutions, SMEs, or other organisations established in eligible countries.
There is no minimum consortium requirement for this topic, distinguishing it from other LIFE CET topics that typically require at least 3 applicants from 3 different countries. This flexibility allows single-country or single-applicant initiatives.
Scope and Target Market Segments
Proposals must focus primarily on one of three market segments:residential buildings owned by physical persons (owner-occupied or rental housing), residential buildings owned by professional landlords, or commercial tertiary buildings particularly occupied by SMEs. While cross-cutting interventions addressing multiple segments may be considered, proposals should clearly specify their primary focus in the introduction.
Core Service Requirements
OSS services must provide end-to-end support covering the entire customer journey for clean energy transition works. Proposals must ensure comprehensive support across ALL of the following areas: technical assessment and renovation design; selection of qualified professionals and contractors; contracting and coordination of works; facilitation and/or provision of financing solutions; and supervision of works, performance verification and quality assurance.
Proposals relying mainly on online platforms without adequate on-site interaction, or providing only generic information and diagnostics without operational support for contracting and implementing renovation works, are not considered relevant.
Critical Eligibility Requirements
- Reduce complexity and simplify decision-making through effective combination of online and in-person support
- Trigger action and stimulate investment in sustainable energy by connecting key actors across value chains
- Build trust through clear accountability mechanisms including robust quality assurance
- Clearly explain implementation and testing through pilot activities that trigger first investments
- Provide precise description of starting point and demonstrate understanding of comparable initiatives in national context
- Explain current national implementation status of EED and EPBD articles relating to OSS and demonstrate clear added value beyond legal compliance
- Articulate clear and coherent service concept meeting specific territorial needs and representing meaningful improvement over current practice
- Establish dedicated structures capable of delivering end-to-end renovation services directly or through complementary partnerships
- Demonstrate sustainable business models minimising reliance on public funding for long-term viability and replication
Expected Qualitative Impacts
Proposals must demonstrate contribution to the following outcomes:integrated services fully implemented, operational and tested before project end with established infrastructure, formalised partnerships, recruited staff, and launched outreach activities; strong and trustworthy partnerships with local actors evidenced by signed commitment charters or collaboration agreements; increased awareness and trust among end-users through clear accountability mechanisms and quality assurance; clear prospects for economically viable business models minimising public subsidy reliance; and public availability of data and guidance supporting replication by other market actors.
Quantitative Impact Indicators
Proposals must quantify results and impacts for project end and 5 years after completion using topic-specific indicators including: number of building units credibly expected to benefit from OSS services; amount of in-person support measured in full-time equivalent staff; number of initial contacts made by the OSS; number of on-site visits conducted; number of investment projects effectively implemented; average global conversion rate from initial contacts to completed investments; and average percentage of energy savings per investment project.
All proposals must also quantify contribution to common LIFE Clean Energy Transition indicators: primary energy savings triggered (GWh/year); final energy savings triggered (GWh/year); renewable energy generation triggered (GWh/year); reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (tCO2-eq/year); and investments in sustainable energy triggered (cumulative, million Euro).
Strategic Priorities and Commission Preferences
The Commission will prioritise proposals demonstrating innovative approaches to effectively address objectives and/or addressing regions where integrated home renovation services remain underdeveloped. Proposals convincingly demonstrating how their approach enables delivery of ambitious energy renovations will also receive priority consideration.
Mandatory Cooperation and Resources
Proposals focused on residential buildings must include plans to cooperate with the EU-PEERS community and share relevant information and data including practical challenges and good practices. Applicants are expected to draw on existing information and resources provided by EU Directives, the Commission Recommendation, and the EU-PEERS project which provides operational guidance, best practice examples, strategic analysis, and capacity-building resources.
Eligible Costs and Budget Considerations
Eligible costs under this OAG include personnel costs, outsourcing, and travel. Infrastructure or equipment interventions are not financed under this call. The 95% funding rate means applicants must secure 5% co-financing from other sources. Detailed budget tables and cost eligibility rules are specified in the LIFE Model Grant Agreement and call documentation.
Application Process and Submission
Applications must be submitted via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal before the 16 September 2026 deadline. The submission follows a single-stage process. Applicants must complete Part A (administrative information generated by the Portal system) and Part B (narrative technical description uploaded as PDF). The application form templates are available in the Submission System. Proposals must comply with page limits, formatting requirements (Arial 10pt minimum, A4 size, 15mm margins), and all mandatory sections must be completed.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on relevance, impact, quality, and resources. Relevance assessment examines alignment with call objectives and LIFE programme goals. Impact evaluation considers ambition, credibility, sustainability, and catalytic potential for replication and upscaling. Quality assessment reviews the coherence and feasibility of the proposed approach. Resources evaluation examines consortium composition, project management, and budget adequacy.
Key Distinctions and Related Opportunities
Proposals addressing mostly development of financing offers for home renovation should consider applying under LIFE-2026-CET-PRIVAFIN instead. Proposals primarily addressing energy poor households requiring support beyond OSS approaches should consider LIFE-2026-CET-ENERPOV. This distinction ensures proposals are directed to the most appropriate funding mechanism.
Strategic Context and EU Policy Alignment
This opportunity supports EU climate neutrality objectives by 2050 and addresses the urgent need to reduce energy consumption and expand renewable-based heating and cooling systems. It responds to market failures where private building owners lack capacity and resources for complex sustainable energy improvements while developers face fragmented demand and high delivery costs. The initiative strengthens EU energy independence and resilience against geopolitical crises by promoting long-term structural sustainable energy measures.
Support and Guidance Resources
Applicants should consult the LIFE Call document, EU Grants AGA (Annotated Grant Agreement), and the Funding and Tenders Portal Online Manual for detailed guidance. National Contact Points (NCPs) provide country-specific support. The EU-PEERS project website offers operational guidance and best practice examples. Information sessions and recordings may be available through CINEA and the Portal.
Footnotes
- 1The EU-PEERS project provides a community platform for EU practitioners involved in integrated home renovation services at [[https://eu-peers.eu]].. It offers operational guidance, best practice examples, strategic analysis, and capacity-building resources to support establishment and development of OSS services.
- 2The Energy Efficiency Directive (EU/2023/1791) Article 22 and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU/2024/1275) Article 18 establish legal frameworks for OSS development. Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/536 provides detailed guidance on OSS implementation including clarification of the customer journey concept in housing refurbishment.
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RFCS-2026-Big Tickets-Coal
The RFCS-2026-Big Tickets-Coal call funds pilot and demonstration projects to support the just transition of coal regions in the EU, aiming for TRL 7–8 and measurable environmental, health and socio-economic outcomes. The total call budg...
RFCS-2026-Steel-Big Tickets under the Steel and Metals Action Plan
RFCS-2026 Steel Big Tickets under the Steel and Metals Action Plan is a single-stage EU call funding large pilot and demonstration projects that advance low-carbon steelmaking or advanced steel grades with projects expected to reach TRL...
Supporting digitalisation of Distribution System Operators for a smart energy transition (Smart Grid Academy)
LIFE-2026-CET-DIGITAL is a LIFE Clean Energy Transition call funding capacity building for Distribution System Operators to develop tailor-made Digitalisation Roadmaps, embed them into Distribution Network Development Plans, and deliver...
Supporting the delivery of actionable, integrated, and comprehensive local heating and cooling plans
LIFE-2026-CET-HEATCOOLPLAN funds projects to support local and regional authorities in developing actionable, integrated local heating and cooling plans (LHCPs) as part of the LIFE Clean Energy Transition sub-programme. The topic has an...
Scaling up smart and clean energy solutions for affordability in EU cities
LIFE-2026-CET-EMPOWER is a single-stage LIFE Clean Energy Transition call (opening 21 April 2026, deadline 16 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time) that will select one consortium to establish EmpowerEUcities to scale up proven smart di...