‘Navigating EU support for your citizen energy project: Guidance Document 1’ provides practical guidance to help citizens and communities shape their own clean energy projects, from early ideas to full implementation. It explains how to turn initial interest into solid initiatives capable of accessing technical and financial support available at the national and European level. The guide proposes a structured pathway that begins with defining the project’s objective and continues with building a diverse team, developing a coherent plan, and identifying programmes that offer advice, training, or funding. It highlights the importance of collaboration and direct community involvement to ensure that solutions respond to real needs and remain viable over the long term.

It also brings together the main European programmes that can support citizen-led initiatives, ranging from advisory platforms and exchange networks to direct funding, technical services, or participation spaces. These resources cover areas such as renewable energy, energy communities, renovation, urban innovation, just transition, and tackling energy poverty. The document aims to make this support ecosystem more accessible, showing that there are tools available for any local group wishing to drive projects with environmental, social, and economic impact in their area.