The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) consists of a series of activities across Europe promoting secure, clean and efficient energy. It brings together policymakers, stakeholders and citizens to achieve climate and energy goals for the Energy Union. Launched in 2007 by the European Commission, EUSEW was organised by the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) for several editions, and as of 1 April 2021 is organised by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), in close cooperation with the Directorate-General for Energy.
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 key element of the Week is the three-day Policy Conference. The EUSEW 2023 Policy Conference will be hosted in a hybrid format in Brussels on 20-22 June 2023. The Policy Conference is complemented by various networking activities.
Registrations for the hybrid Policy Conference will launch in 2023 - stay tuned!
There are no eligibility criteria for participating in the EUSEW Policy Conference. The event is open to everyone with an interest in sustainable energy.
All organisations partnering up to submit an application must meet the general eligibility criteria.
The EUSEW Secretariat issues a call for submissions several months before the annual EUSEW Policy Conference. After the call has closed, the submissions are checked against the eligibility criteria and assessed by European Commission staff and an external technical committee, comprising experts from different fields of sustainable energy.
The final nominees in each category will be selected by a high-level jury, with the winners decided via an online public vote and announced at the Awards ceremony taking place in Brussels in June 2023.
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 sustainable energy-awareness programmes, public schemes promoting energy-saving buildings and private firms leading the way in green tech, carbon-neutral manufacturing, and much more.
Yes. The eligibility criteria simply stipulate that the application must be practical. Academic studies and theoretical research projects without any long-term, real-scale application directly linked to renewable energy or energy efficiency are therefore not eligible.
Innovation is the only category that is limited to recipients of EU funding.
The remaining categories (Local Energy Action and Woman in Energy) are not limited to EU-funded projects. Under these categories, any project meeting the eligibility criteria is welcome to apply.
Yes, one project can apply in more than one category, but it cannot win in both. Note that you should only apply for a category where your project matches the criteria. For example, if your project showcases a collective action driven by your community, you should apply for the Local Energy Action. If, on the other hand, your organisation has developed an innovative EU-funded project supporting the clean energy transition, you should apply in the Innovation category. Lastly, if you are a woman in the energy field who leads outstanding activities to advance the clean energy transition and support equality in the sector, you should apply to the Woman in Energy category.
Yes. However, the applications must cover different projects and activities. You may only submit one project per application.
Yes, as long as the project coordinator is based in one of the eligible countries. Please consult the eligibility criteria before applying.
Yes. Please note that the eligibility criteria and rules may have changed, so consult these before applying.
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, providing that it meets this year’s eligibility criteria and your activity, project or action has not been previously shortlisted as a EUSEW Award finalist.
We recommend that you highlight any improvements or modifications from the previous year to improve your project’s chances of being shortlisted.
Applications are only accepted in English, but assessment will focus on projects/activities/action results rather than language correctness.
No, a project involving a non-EU coordinator/partner should be proposed by an EU project partner/coordinator.
The hybrid Policy Conference will host an Energy Fair which offers opportunities to connect with fellow professionals and energy enthusiasts.
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 sustainable energy.
The Fair is composed of interactive stands presenting initiatives in renewable energy, where stand organisers can also run brief pitches presenting innovative solutions or demonstrating a project. There will be a website announcing the organisations present at the venue, but all interaction will happen onsite.
The Energy Fair takes place in Brussels throughout the European Sustainable Energy Week on 20-22 June 2023.
There will be a website announcing the organisations present at the venue, but all interaction will happen onsite.
No, you have to cover your own travel/accommodation costs to be present at the venue.