The final event of the SUPERSHINE project took place at the Riga City Council, bringing together project partners, local stakeholders, and European experts to celebrate the project’s achievements and reflect on the lessons learned from years of collaboration. The event combined both onsite and online participation, offering a dynamic platform to present the project’s key results, share success stories from the lighthouse demonstrators, and discuss how social housing renovation can effectively tackle energy poverty while promoting sustainable urban development across Europe.
The morning session focused on the significant outcomes and key findings of the SUPERSHINE project, presenting the scientific, technical, and socio-economic insights developed throughout the project.
Experts from across the consortium introduced the tools, methodologies, and indicators designed to support the deep renovation of social housing and the transition toward more energy-efficient urban districts. Among the highlights, representatives from our partner CIRCE presented the Key Indicators for Sustainable Retrofit, outlining how these indicators can guide the sustainable transformation of social housing buildings and districts.
The session continued with Fundación CARTIF, who presented the assessment of technical interventions carried out within the project and introduced the SUPERSHINE Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to support decision-makers and practitioners in planning and implementing renovation strategies.
Addressing the socio-economic dimension of the transition, the University of York presented insights on tackling energy poverty through social housing renovation funded by Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Their intervention highlighted how innovative financing mechanisms can unlock investment while ensuring affordability and inclusiveness.
Another important milestone was the presentation of the SUPERSHINE Fellow Cities initiative, led by Demir Enerji, which illustrated how the project’s results can be replicated across European cities through replicability blueprints and Climate City Contracts (CCCs).
A European Perspective on Energy Efficiency
The event also welcomed a contribution from the European Commission, with Georg Houben, Policy Officer at DG Energy, who provided a policy perspective on the importance of energy efficiency, affordability, and sustainability in European cities. His intervention emphasised the role of projects like SUPERSHINE in supporting the EU’s climate and energy objectives while addressing the social dimension of the green transition.
Participants also explored future opportunities for sustainable urban initiatives, thanks to a presentation from the Smart Cities Marketplace, which introduced available support mechanisms and matchmaking opportunities for cities and innovators seeking to scale up impactful solutions.
The afternoon session brought the focus to the SUPERSHINE lighthouse demonstrators, showcasing real-world renovation initiatives implemented across Europe.
The Riga Energy Agency presented the Āgenskalna Priedes case in Riga, demonstrating a digital and democratic approach to the deep renovation of affordable housing. In Italy, ATER Trieste shared insights from the Boito district renovation, highlighting how targeted urban redevelopment strategies can revitalise public residential neighbourhoods.
From Denmark, FællesBo introduced the Herning case, illustrating how tenant-democracy approaches can empower residents and support inclusive renovation processes within social housing communities.
Further discussions explored how SUPERSHINE’s financial instruments and business models can support future renovation projects. The University of York presented the SUPERSHINE Financial Tool, while partners AYMING, CIRCE, and APRE introduced the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) and Business Model Framework, designed to simplify access to renovation services and financing.
The session concluded with an interactive exchange with Latvian stakeholders, creating an open dialogue on how the project’s tools and methodologies could be implemented locally and replicated in other European contexts.
A Final Gathering and a Visit to Riga’s Demonstrator!
The following day, during the project’s General Assembly, partners met once again for the last time as a consortium. The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the project journey, discuss the finalisation of outputs, and celebrate the collaborative spirit that characterised SUPERSHINE.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit Riga and observe first-hand the local interventions and developments connected to the SUPERSHINE project, further reinforcing the tangible impact of the project’s work on the ground.
As the project reaches its conclusion, SUPERSHINE leaves behind a legacy of tools, financial frameworks, and renovation strategies aimed at accelerating the deep renovation of social housing across Europe. By combining innovative financing schemes, technical solutions, and citizen-centred approaches, the project has demonstrated that sustainable renovation can simultaneously reduce energy poverty, improve living conditions, and support the EU’s climate goals.
The final event in Riga marked not only the end of the project, but also the beginning of a broader adoption of the solutions and lessons developed through SUPERSHINE, paving the way for more sustainable and inclusive cities across Europe.
