Insights into the EU Peers mentoring programme in Hungary: Helping municipalities turn renovation ambitions into action

The final part of the EU Peers mentoring programme that took place from September 2025 to May 2026 was the implementation of four study visits. The 1.5-day site visits hosted by consortium members gave small groups an inside look at how experienced teams organise their services, partnerships, and workflows.

The mentoring programme in Hungary welcomed representatives from small and medium-sized municipalities, Budapest districts, county governments, regional organisations and an energy utility. Through one online session and a two-day in-person workshop, participants explored the Hungarian renovation landscape, EU policy requirements, different OSS models, financing opportunities, communication strategies, contractor selection and approaches to supporting energy-poor households.

A highlight of the programme was participation in the conference Local Governments' Obligations and Best Practices for Climate-Neutral Buildings, where attendees exchanged experiences with leading municipalities, one-stop shop providers and renovation experts. Participants also visited the RenoPont Energy Home Renovation Centre at the Budapest Housing Office, gaining practical insights into four years of experience advising homeowners and promoting energy renovations.

The programme also highlighted the importance of inclusive renovation. Zsuzsanna Koritár, Policy Specialist at Habitat for Humanity Hungary, presented successful approaches to tackling energy poverty, including a one-stop shop support programme that, in partnership with a bank, has enabled 30–40 vulnerable families to comprehensively renovate their homes.

The mentoring programme concluded with an interactive workshop in which participants developed action plans for their own one-stop shops, tailored to the housing segments they intend to serve. By the end of the programme, participants had not only strengthened their knowledge of successful OSS models but also joined the Hungarian EU Peers Community, giving them access to continued peer exchange and support from Energiaklub, experienced OSS and other experts as they move towards launching their own services.