As part of the ongoing activities under the DEESME 2050 project, co-funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Union, ECQ took part in the European Energy Efficiency Conference 2025 in Wels, Austria on 6-7 March, 2025.
The conference gathered energy professionals, policymakers, researchers and industrial stakeholders from across Europe and beyond, offering a high-level platform to discuss the latest advancements in energy efficiency, policy implementation, and innovation. 1 During the event, the Bulgarian representatives actively disseminated the objectives, activities and preliminary results of the DEESME 2050 project, raising awareness among international peers about the project’s mission to support SMEs in implementing energy efficiency measures through tailored approaches and business models.
Through networking sessions and meetings, ECQ engaged with experts working on other LIFE-funded projects, sharing experiences and identifying potential goals. This strengthened the project’s visibility across the LIFE community and contributed to knowledge exchange with similar initiatives focused on energy audits, multiple benefits approaches, and SME support mechanisms. Key highlights of the conference included:
- The upcoming requirements for Zero-Emission Buildings (ZEBs) under the new EPBD;
- Integration of high-efficiency technologies in industrial processes;
- Energy communities as a driver for local clean energy solutions;
- Large-scale storage and electrification for decarbonising energy-intensive sectors;
- European and global policy perspectives presented by leading institutions such as the IEA, E.DSO and the European Commission.
By participating in this renowned international event, the DEESME 2050 team not only gained valuable insights into energy transition strategies but also amplified the project’s outreach at both European and global level. The participation directly supports the project’s commitment to replication, upscaling, and engagement with key stakeholders in the clean energy transition.
