Fighting energy poverty and improving the efficiency of Europe’s buildings is both an urgency and an emergency. In this interview, Riccardo Coletta, Senior Project Manager at the Agency for the Promotion of European Research (APRE), explains in an interview why housing must be at the centre of Europe’s energy transition, highlighting its environmental impact and the deep social inequalities it reflects.

Coletta shares insights from the SUPERSHINE project, which focuses on renovating social housing to reduce energy poverty. He discusses how innovative financial models, citizen engagement, and the principles of the New European Bauhaus have guided the work, ensuring that sustainability, usability, and participation remain at the heart of the approach.

Drawing on experiences from pilot sites in Italy, Latvia, and Denmark, the interview explores the lessons learned from diverse contexts and the legacy SUPERSHINE leaves behind. From adaptable financial tools to stronger community involvement, Coletta underscores how energy efficiency can deliver not only environmental benefits but also healthier, fairer, and more liveable neighbourhoods across Europe.