DoppelPlus, engaging low-income households in the fight against climate change

Toni Codina on 5 July 2022

Project that helps low-income households become ambassadors of the transition to clean energy and promotes changes in the daily behavior of households in relation to climate change, a group particularly vulnerable to its consequences.

The initiative consists of sending starter kits to low-income families to optimize their daily consumption. In this way, they save money and also contribute to the energy transition. The aim is to reduce energy costs while improving their financial situation and quality of life.

The project is implemented by means of personalized guidance, whereby families receive advice on how to protect the climate, as well as tailored measures such as training programs or teaching the basics of climate protection. The initiative offers multiplier measures for climate protection and increased energy efficiency in areas such as housing, heating, electricity, mobility, consumption and food.

DoppelPlus has also trained 1,000 families in the Tyrol (Austria) to become ambassadors of the clean energy transition, with annual savings of €200 per household. Long-term partnerships have also been forged with energy suppliers, cultural organizations, social housing companies and an extensive communication campaign to raise awareness of energy issues. The project creates a win-win situation for everyone: the environment and the household budget.

Characteristics of innovation

Lab, Bank of innovations, Information and planning, New service, Personalization of the service, Poverty and exclusion, User empowerment

Localization

Tirol, Austria

Partners / Funders

Land Tirol, Caritas, Energie Tirol

Genesis

The effects of climate change are and will continue to be profoundly affecting our lifestyles in all areas. Even so, there are numerous measures that can make a significant contribution to climate protection that can be implemented at household level.

Action by EU Member States is essential to achieve the 2030 and 2050 climate goals, but the difficulties of low-income households to participate are often not taken into account.

That is why DoppelPlus includes a vulnerable social sector in the face of climate change, with a potential multiplier effect of great importance in the EU if the project is scaled up.

Level of implementation

DoppelPlus is currently a finalist in the LifeAwards in the climate action category, awards organized by the European Commission based on criteria such as contribution to environmental improvement, degree of innovation and effectiveness.

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Bizkaia Saretu, school for the prevention of unwanted loneliness

Toni Codina on 28 June 2022

School of training and dynamization of anti-loneliness agents, people over 55 years of age who, thanks to a qualification and accompaniment, specialize in early detection and preventive action in relation to loneliness.

The initiative refers to unwanted loneliness, i.e. the subjective feeling or experience that is identified with individual dissatisfaction that the person has in terms of relationships. This social isolation, especially related to the elderly, is perceived as a limitation, lack or absence of primary or natural relationships; friendship, partner, family, neighborhood, etc.

The project offers training and awareness-raising activities for people interested in the subject, whether they want to acquire knowledge in this area or are part of organizations, companies or associations. In this case, they can become part of the Agents Network, the other main activity of the project. This network, formed by people over 55 years of age who are not in a situation of loneliness and want to commit themselves and create proposals for action, consists of identifying situations of loneliness, design and creation of prevention projects, in order to accumulate evidence and be able to be implemented.

In addition, the initiative also has a repository of knowledge and good practices, where projects, methods or systems that involve the community and relational spheres can be found. The SSI Group understands that the connection between initiatives is a key element to guarantee the success of the projects. Therefore, Bizkaia Saretu is a project with a preventive perspective, which promotes a destigmatizing vision of loneliness, promotes mutual help and focuses on the individual needs and demands of each person.