LIFE-GiDOMUS: Innovation for Sustainable and Inclusive Energy Rehabilitation

A pioneering model to make energy rehabilitation accessible and socially impactful

LIFE-GiDOMUS is an initiative driven by the European Commission through the LIFE program, aimed at accelerating the energy rehabilitation of housing in the province of Girona via an innovative one-stop-shop (OSS) model. These offices provide comprehensive support to households throughout the renovation process: energy diagnosis, technical and financial advice, subsidy management, professional sourcing, and construction monitoring.

The project not only seeks to expand the reach of this service but also to ensure its long-term economic viability through innovative financing mechanisms that reduce dependence on public subsidies. This approach embraces new instruments such as payment by results, public-private partnerships, and diversified market-linked revenue streams.

Our Role

At UpSocial, we lead the design of the financing mechanism to guarantee the future sustainability of the OSS in the province of Girona. We apply our social innovation approach, combining impact, economic viability, and scalability.

Our main lines of work in the project include:

– Design of Results-Based Financing (RBF) models
Development of performance-based contracts and instruments such as impact bonds, aimed at mobilizing private and institutional capital.
Alignment of economic incentives with measurable social and environmental outcomes, such as improved energy efficiency and social inclusion.

– Market consultations and identification of funders
Mapping key actors: corporate foundations, impact investors, companies mandated to invest in energy transition, and philanthropic entities.
Consultation processes to validate interest and establish strategic partnerships.

– Definition of impact metrics
Co-design of a robust and verifiable set of indicators to activate payment by results.

Metrics include:

• Improvements in housing energy efficiency

• Accessibility of renovations

• Social inclusion of vulnerable households

• Increase in perceived quality of life

– Design of complementary revenue streams
To reduce dependence on public funds, we explore innovative income-generating formulas such as:

• Commissions for access to qualified clients, targeted at companies and professionals in the sector

• Energy Saving Certificates (CAE)

• Subscription or membership models for public and private actors

• Crowdlending and citizen sponsorships aimed at co-financing interventions in vulnerable households

– Strategic support and knowledge transfer
Facilitation of model co-design with local stakeholders, ensuring a proposal adapted to the Catalan context and replicable elsewhere.
Incorporation of our experience in scalability and sustainability strategies to ensure the model can grow and consolidate over time.

Expected Impact

– A stable and replicable financial model for OSS that strengthens public energy rehabilitation policies

– Mobilization of private and institutional capital oriented towards impact

– Improved housing conditions for vulnerable households, with an inclusive and sustainable approach

– Direct contribution to the EU’s climate and social objectives

LIFE-GiDOMUS is a transformative initiative that connects the green transition with social justice and territorial equity, making the right to decent and efficient housing a tangible reality.

Clients & partners

— Fundación Europace

— GiDOMUS