SUPERSHINE participated in a multi-project EU webinar on housing inequalities, joining forces with HOUSING, PROLIGHTE, REHOUSING, PAEN (Power Generation), and PREFIGURE to discuss how European projects are reshaping the future of inclusive and sustainable housing.
SUPERSHINE highlighted its integrated approach aligned with the New European Bauhaus, which brings together the values of togetherness, sustainability, and aesthetics. The project is not only about technical upgrades but also about creating solutions with strong social, cultural, and environmental value.
Speaking at the webinar, Flaminia Rocca from SUPERSHINE, said:
“Energy-efficient renovation in social and affordable housing must be financially viable and socially fair. Our work pairs shared-savings PPP contracts and tailored business models with co-creation so residents feel the benefits, lower bills, healthier homes, and a stronger sense of place.”
A key focus was on innovative financing models. After assessing various PPP options across its three lighthouse sites, SUPERSHINE identified shared-savings contracts as the most promising. These models show the potential to achieve 60–70% reductions in energy bills with payback periods of around 8–10 years, while ensuring that residents benefit immediately from lower costs.
To simplify the often complex renovation journey, SUPERSHINE is piloting a One-Stop-Shop “digital lab.” This platform provides technical and financial advice, guidance on grants, and matchmaking services that connect residents and stakeholders with qualified providers, making the process more accessible and transparent.
Equally important is deep community engagement. In each lighthouse, residents are actively involved in shaping the renovation process: in Riga through plan validation, in Trieste through community-driven design inputs, and in Herning through tenant-democracy pathways. These co-design practices ensure acceptance, uptake, and long-term maintenance of the benefits.
Finally, SUPERSHINE stressed its work on replicability. The project is developing adaptable blueprints that combine business models, life cycle assessments (LCA and social LCA), and engagement frameworks. These are designed to be flexible across different national contexts while keeping a holistic focus on economic, environmental, and social impact.
By presenting alongside HOUSING, PROLIGHT, REHOUSING, PAEN, and PREFIGURE, SUPERSHINE reinforced the message that decarbonisation and social justice must advance together. Housing renovation should not only reduce energy poverty but also avoid displacement and exclusion. For this reason, residents must be placed at the centre of the process, with a clear voice in the decisions that shape their homes and neighbourhoods.
Cover image credit: Foto di Stefan
