The goal of the FETA project (Fair Energy Transition for All) is to identify and highlight local
solutions throughout Europe for a fair and inclusive energy transition. Ten initiatives
have been selected to receive support through a “project escalator” – a tailored
programme that helps them grow, strengthen connections and enable broader impact.
To identify initiatives that empower vulnerable groups, it is essential to speak directly
with citizens and listen to which solutions are relevant for them, and which are not. That is
why the initiatives went through a multi-stage selection process that also
included assessment by vulnerable citizens. In four focus groups held in different
countries, participants discussed and evaluated the pre-selected initiatives that had
applied and ultimately identified those that best respond to their
needs. Their assessments played a decisive role in the final selection of the
winning initiatives, alongside factors such as geographic diversity and the sustainability of
the financial model.
Through the focus groups, we not only gained valuable insights into which types of
solutions are truly relevant from the perspective of vulnerable people and can provide
meaningful support in their daily lives. We also gathered important methodological
lessons on how to effectively reach out to and engage with vulnerable citizens.
In this report, we share our learnings from this process.