Frequently Asked Questions

No, everyone is welcome! The EUSEW Policy Conference in Brussels and Sustainable Energy Days around the world attract energy experts and agencies, policymakers, private companies, NGOs, industry associations and the media. Each edition has a different overall theme or focus, but broadly, the goal is to engage everyone with a stake and interest in helping the EU meet its energy and climate goals, including energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. 

The EUSEW 2026 Policy Conference will be hosted in a hybrid format, with speakers and attendees in Brussels and online from 9 to 11 June 2026. 

You can now register for the hybrid Policy Conference.

There are no eligibility criteria for participating in the EUSEW Policy Conference as an attendee. The event is open to everyone with an interest in clean energy.

The theme for EUSEW 2026 will be 'A clean, secure and competitive Energy Union'. 

Each application should be submitted by two different organisations, with at least one being an umbrella organisation (an umbrella organisation is an association that formally incorporates other institutions working together towards the same goal or interest, such as youth, consumer, or industry associations).  While other organisations can also contribute to the session, each application must specify two lead entities including a contact person for each. 

We highly recommend that both organisations are independent of each other because EUSEW targets plurality of views in the policy debate, not only among the speakers but also among the applicants of a policy session. EUSEW policy sessions bring together different perspectives, expertise, and organisational backgrounds in order to enable discussions during the Policy Conference. However, applicants are encouraged to propose speakers from organisations different from those partnering to submit the application. You can have up to six speakers plus the moderator. 

Whilst you can apply with two organisations from your project consortium/association, it is recommended that a project consortium/association apply as one organiser, which allows for another organisation to bring in additional perspectives that can potentially enrich the debate and demonstrate synergies between actors engaged in the clean energy transition. 

It is better if the entire consortium is under one organiser, demonstrating synergies with other actors/organisations.  

An EU-funded project can apply either as the organisation or the coordinator, or as the EU-funded project itself. However, it is crucial that the two organisers are not from the same project to ensure diversity. If you are applying as the organisation or the coordinator, it must be clarified in the session description that the organiser is from the EU-funded project, and it should be mentioned that some speakers may represent the project. 

Yes, one of the categories of organisation types eligible to apply is 'national, regional/local authorities, agencies, or other public bodies (including their networks).'

EUSEW aims to have all sessions onsite. In exceptional cases, we may allow a speaker to join remotely. 

Yes, a membership association is eligible as policy session organiser, as long as it meets the following criteria:  

• They work as multipliers using a widespread network of contacts across Europe.
• They contribute to the development and implementation of clean energy policy.
• They apply jointly with at least one other organisation.   

Yes, a university is definitely eligible to be a policy session organiser. Universities can play a significant role in shaping discussions and contributing expertise. Representatives of universities are also eligible to participate as speakers.  

Yes, organisations from the Western Balkans are eligible to apply. However, they need to apply in collaboration with another organisation.  

It is better that speakers are present onsite to facilitate effective networking with the audience in the room. However, in exceptional cases, we may allow a speaker to join remotely. If one of your speakers is having difficulties being onsite, please indicate this in the Agenda section of the application form. 

The conference facilities allow for a maximum of six speakers/panellists and one moderator per room. 

This also helps ensure that the session is manageable from a logistical point of view and ensures a dynamic discussion. 

Yes, you may provide speakers from your organisation in more than two policy session applications. EUSEW is about a plurality of views and opinions; therefore, we will ensure a maximum diversity of organisations and speakers presenting at the Policy Conference. 

The chances of success increase by ensuring that your application is clear. The evaluation team reviews many applications, and clarity in the objectives, agenda, and speakers enhances the application's quality. It is also very important that you ensure a plurality of opinions from different speakers/organisations. Moreover, maintaining a gender balance in your panel, promoting interactivity with the audience, and ensuring full alignment with the current policy debate on the clean energy transition are key winning factors. 

We encourage applicants to read careful the section "Preparing your application" that is in the policy session guidelines as it includes relevant guidance.

In the policy sessions hosted in the EUSEW venues (Charlemagne Building and NH Brussels Berlaymont), only EUSEW branding is allowed. Organisers are not allowed to bring personal roll-ups. However, session organisers are welcome to feature their branding alongside EUSEW in the promotion of the session on social media and in newsletters. 

An individual organisation that is part of an umbrella organisations having already submitted two proposals, can apply as leading organisation by partnering with another different umbrella organisation. However, EUSEW aims to ensure a plurality of views in the policy debate, not only among the speakers but also among the applicants of a Policy Session.

EUSEW Policy Sessions are designed to bring together different perspectives, expertise, and organisational backgrounds in order to foster meaningful discussions during the Policy Conference. Therefore, the individual organisation should clearly demonstrate this plurality in the application, including by presenting a different concept, focus, and added value compared to the other proposals it contributes to. 

If by organiser and co-organiser you mean the two organisations that must apply together for the Policy Conference, we confirm that the limit of two applications applies to both of them. This means that neither of the two organisations can apply more than twice to the Policy Conference.

A wide range of profiles and initiatives can apply for a EUSEW Award. Over the years, the EUSEW Awards have attracted public figures and activists, citizen-led clean energy-awareness programmes, public schemes promoting energy-saving buildings and private firms leading the way in green tech, carbon-neutral manufacturing, and much more.

The Women in Energy Award recognises women leading outstanding activities advancing clean energy transition in Europe. This category recognises individuals. Organisations cannot apply but they can nominate a candidate for the Award.  

No. The Awards are not limited to EU-funded projects. Eligibility depends on each category, as outlined in the guidelines: 

• Women in Energy is open to women carrying out activities in the European Union or the European Economic Area. 
• Local Energy Action is open to projects carried out in at least one country of the European Union or the European Economic Area. 
• SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency is open to activities, projects or actions carried out in the European Union. 

EUSEW awards are prestigious recognition prizes for the contributions organisations/individuals make to the clean energy transition in Europe. While there is no monetary reward, recipients receive a trophy, become part of the community, and benefit from promotion and increased visibility. EUSEW covers the trip and hotel of the finalists invited to come to Brussels and produce a video of their projects, which will be disseminated across Europe. 

Yes, if the organisation has different projects, it can submit multiple applications for the same or different categories. However, the organisation cannot apply multiple times with the same project.

Activities, projects or actions that have previously been shortlisted as EUSEW Awards finalists are not eligible to re-enter the competition. Organisations or individuals that have previously been shortlisted are eligible if they present new activities, projects or actions. 

Yes. Please note that, in this category, the achievements of the woman are rewarded, not those of a company.  

Yes, if you can demonstrate that the art exhibition has delivered tangible impacts on clean energy. In the application form, you will need to provide evidence of these impacts to be eligible for the awards.  

No. This category is not limited to EU-funded projects. Moreover, both commercial development stage projects and pilot projects are eligible. 

No. This category focusses on business and financing models to advance energy efficiency solutions, notably in buildings and industry. Existing solutions are likely to be the focus combined with an innovative business or financing model that would substantially increase its uptake. For example, this may include models such as social leasing of heat pumps, Energy As a Service, new forms of Energy Performance Contracting and tailored financing solutions.

This category focusses on awarding business and financing models upscaling existing energy efficiency solutions, notably in buildings and industry. For example, this may include models such as social leasing of heat pumps, Energy As a Service, new forms of Energy Performance Contracting and tailored financing solutions.

No. This category focusses on business and financing models to advance energy efficiency solutions, notably in buildings and industry. Existing solutions are likely to be the focus combined with an innovative business or financing model that would substantially increase its uptake. For example, this may include models such as social leasing of heat pumps, Energy As a Service, new forms of Energy Performance Contracting and tailored financing solutions.

The online public vote for the Awards is now open. Discover the nine finalists selected by the members of the high-level jury and cast your vote until 31 May. 

Winners of the three categories will be announced at the EUSEW Awards Ceremony in Brussels on 9 June 2026.  

The finalists for all three EUSEW Awards categories will be announced on 19 March 2026. 

The Energy Fair is a special feature of the European Sustainable Energy Week. It gives participants the chance to foster social connections and share information by bringing together key players in the field of clean energy.  

The Fair features interactive stands presenting initiatives in renewable energy, where stand organisers can also run brief pitches to showcase innovative solutions or demonstrate a project. There will be a website announcing the organisations present at the venue, but all interaction will happen on-site. 

The 2026 edition will host approximately 30 stands in the European Commission’s Charlemagne building, in Brussels.

The Energy Fair takes place in Brussels throughout the European Sustainable Energy Week on 9-11 June 2026. 

No, you will need to cover your own travel and accommodation costs to be present at the venue. 

You can discover Sustainable Energy Days taking place near you on the dedicated interactive map once they are announced.

The added value is having the visibility of the side event as part of EUSEW. These events are featured on a map on our website, and we promote the concept of Sustainable Energy Days through our social media accounts and our newsletter. Additionally, we provide the different organisers with a toolkit to promote the Sustainable Energy Days. 

Yes. An event occurring at the end of June is eligible for inclusion in the Sustainable Energy Days provided that the application is sent before the call closes on 24 May 2026. 

Responsibilities include acting as amplifiers of the clean energy transition. While individuals may engage in various activities, it is crucial that Young Energy Ambassadors disseminate information to audiences not typically reached.   

This involves outreach at local level and connecting with those more disconnected from EU policy making.  In terms of tasks we expect an ambassador to sharing event-related material, promoting calls, and ensuring the discovery of impactful projects and applicants. 

The call to become a Young Energy Ambassador is now closed.

We strongly encourage you to subscribe to the EUSEW newsletter  to receive updates about the call in the future.