Energy cooperatives empower citizens to prioritise sustainability over profit-driven models but face challenges in financing. 

Traditional banks avoid early-stage risks, and mobilising community investment is difficult. 

To address this, REScoop MECISE, founded in 2018 by five European cooperatives - Ecopower (Belgium), Courant d’Air (Belgium), Som Energia (Spain), Enercoop (France), Energy4All (UK), and the European network REScoop.eu, - pools funds to support smaller energy projects with loans, equity, and expertise. 

Its first major project, a £5 million loan for Westmill Solar, demonstrated how cooperative-led funding can advance renewables while fostering trust and collaboration. 

REScoop MECISE plans to scale citizen-driven financing, highlighting the role of cooperatives in leading a just, inclusive energy transition and redefining solutions to climate challenges.