GENDER4POWER publishes two new tools to incorporate the gender perspective into the fight against energy poverty
The European LIFE project, of which the Bordeta Energy Community is a part, presents a new report and a practical manual to help administrations, energy communities and social organisations integrate the gender perspective into their actions against energy poverty.
Energy poverty does not affect everyone in the same way. Gender inequalities shape access to affordable, safe and sufficient energy, and must be taken into account when designing policies and measures to guarantee the right to energy.
With this objective, the European project GENDER4POWER has published two new resources that offer practical tools for incorporating the gender perspective into actions to combat energy poverty: the Report on gender-responsive methods against energy poverty and the Gender-Responsive Action Manual, which includes a guide to developing Gender Action Plans.
Energy poverty has a gender dimension
Women are more exposed to energy poverty due to structural inequalities such as the gender pay and pension gap, a higher prevalence of part-time work, a longer life expectancy, or an unequal distribution of care and domestic work.
These situations increase the risk of being unable to maintain adequate home comfort conditions and of shouldering a heavier financial burden from energy costs. Therefore, incorporating a gender perspective is not a secondary consideration but a necessary condition for advancing towards a fairer and more inclusive energy transition.
From diagnosis to action
The report analyses existing programmes, grants and policies at local, national and European levels to assess the extent to which they respond to the needs of women and other groups in vulnerable situations.
Its recommendations include incorporating gender criteria into energy rehabilitation programmes, simplifying access mechanisms for grants, strengthening local advisory services, and promoting community initiatives funded by European instruments.
The manual, for its part, offers a practical methodology for administrations, energy communities and other entities to incorporate the gender perspective from the planning to the monitoring and evaluation of their projects, facilitating the development of Gender Action Plans adapted to each reality.
Six pilot experiences across Europe
The two publications document the experience of the six GENDER4POWER demonstration projects, developed in Austria, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Slovenia and the State of Spain.
In the case of Barcelona, the Bordeta Energy Community is one of the pilot experiences of the project. We have developed a Gender Action Plan aimed at maintaining balanced participation during the growth of the energy community. Among the measures planned are inclusive communication, childcare services during activities and the creation of a Solidarity Fund to support people in situations of energy poverty.
An energy transition that leaves no one behind
The energy transition will only be just if it is able to address the inequalities that affect access to energy. Incorporating a gender perspective into policies and initiatives that seek to combat energy poverty is essential to ensure that solutions reach everyone.
With these new resources, GENDER4POWER offers tools for public authorities, energy communities and social organisations to advance towards a more democratic, inclusive and people-centred energy model.
GENDER4POWER (Grant Agreement no. 101167565) is co-funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the grant-awarding authority can be held responsible for these views.