The energy transition will only be truly just if policies actively involve the communities most affected by housing inequality and energy poverty. This is one of the main conclusions of the European HouseInc project, presented at the eceee Summer Study 2026, which explores ways to improve the participation of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in research and policymaking.

Drawing on experiences from Germany, Italy, Romania and Czechia, the project identifies five principles for more effective engagement: working with trusted community leaders and organisations; adapting communication to people's context and language; removing the economic, physical and social barriers that hinder participation; prioritising visual materials over overly technical content; and combining face-to-face and digital channels to reach a wider audience.

Beyond participatory methodologies, the research highlights that trust, transparency and continuous follow-up are essential to enable communities to move from being recipients of policies to becoming active agents of change. This approach provides practical guidance to strengthen the social dimension of the green transition and enhance the legitimacy of future housing and energy policies.