From policy to practice

Abstract

Energy renovations in multi-owner residential buildings are a critical but complex component of Europe's decarbonization strategy. Co-owned condominiums face challenges related to collective decision-making, technical complexity, legal rigidity, and financial risk. Across Europe, national and regional governments have launched support structures, most notably one-stop shops, to guide co-owners through the renovation process and to bridge technical, financial, and organizational gaps. In the Belgian region Flanders, the Flemish Energy and Climate Agency has launched a subsidized Renovation Master Plan to overcome these barriers by facilitating one-stop shops that provide neutral renovation advice (Energy Houses), and engineering and architectural consultancies (Study Offices) to support condominiums throughout the renovation process. This article investigates how this Public-Led Approach operates in practice by analysing five real-life condominium renovation projects across three cities: Antwerp, Mechelen, and Ostend. Based on case studies, interviews with co-owners and relevant stakeholders, and analysis of project reports, this study explores this policy instrument with the aim of optimizing its effectiveness and exploring its potential for replication in other EU member states. The findings show that successful energy renovations are not just a matter of technical planning or financial subsidies. Progress depends on how public actors build trust, coordinate fragmented stakeholders, and adapt their business models to diverse ownership structures and renovation pathways. We argue that replicating and scaling such Public-Led Approaches requires sustained local engagement, institutional flexibility, and public-private collaborations. The findings can inform policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in developing effective and targeted Publicly-Led Integrated home renovation services in the EU.