On 13 January 2026, the 3rd International Roundtable within the EU LIFE project RENOINVEST took place in Vienna. The project focuses on the financing of and investments in sustainable energy renovation of large-scale residential buildings and public sector buildings in Austria, Hungary, and Slovenia. The event provided an excellent opportunity to discuss challenges and solutions for renovation financing and to jointly develop ideas on how to successfully implement the renovation wave.

Presentation of the National Action Plans

At the beginning of the event, the national action plans for Austria, Hungary, and Slovenia were presented. These plans were developed within the framework of national working groups and roundtables in the project, involving a broad range of stakeholders, and include proposals for concrete measures to facilitate the financing of renovation projects. They cover three areas: policy/legislation, financing and funding models, and awareness-raising and knowledge transfer. The presentations showed that while each country faces specific challenges and has its own approaches, they also pursue common goals.

Introduction of the EEEFC and Panel Discussion

Another key focus of the event was the presentation of the European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition (EEEFC). Experts such as Adrien Bullier from the European Commission, Andreas Rajchl from the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action and Environment (BMLUK), and László Bihari as the national chair for Hungary delivered keynote speeches and emphasized the importance of cooperation at the European level as well as country-specific work within the national hubs in 2026. The EEEFC plays a central role in promoting sustainable private investments in energy-efficient building renovation and in addressing challenges in the construction and real estate sectors.

Marketplace for Ideas and Networking

In the afternoon, the “Marketplace for Ideas and Networking” took place, during which participants worked together in various working groups. Topics discussed included the financing of renovations—particularly in the area of condominium owners’ associations—tax incentives, the mobilization of private capital, and challenges faced by municipalities in project financing. These sessions offered participants the opportunity to exchange experiences and develop joint solutions.

Visit to a Pilot Project

In the afternoon, participants had the opportunity to visit the pilot project at Arenberggasse 4 in Vienna. This project serves as an example of successful renovation measures and demonstrated how theoretical concepts can be put into practice. Due to adverse weather conditions, this agenda item was changed at short notice: the project was presented by the team in the MA39 event space, and the on-site visit could be arranged individually.

Summary and Outlook

The event concluded with a summary of the key outcomes and an outlook on future measures. The importance of long-term financing models and cooperation between countries in achieving renovation targets was emphasized. Participants agreed that only through joint efforts and the exchange of best practices can the defined goals be achieved.