Call to Support Renewable Energy Community Projects (Portugal)

The Gulbenkian Energy Communities Initiative provides grants of up to €30,000 to support early-stage Renewable Energy Community (REC) projects in Portugal. The initiative helps locally based non-profit organizations develop community-led renewable energy solutions by strengthening technical capacity, community participation, energy literacy, and inclusive governance while accelerating Portugal’s clean energy transition.

Gulbenkian Energy Communities Initiative

The Gulbenkian Energy Communities Initiative supports the creation of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) across Portugal by providing financial assistance to locally driven projects during their earliest stages of development.

The initiative recognizes that many community energy projects face significant barriers before implementation, including limited technical expertise, insufficient start-up funding, and challenges in mobilizing local participation. By addressing these obstacles, the program aims to empower citizens, community organizations, and local authorities to actively participate in Portugal’s renewable energy transition.

What is a Renewable Energy Community?

A Renewable Energy Community (REC) is a locally governed group of citizens, organizations, cooperatives, or public authorities that collectively produce, consume, share, and manage renewable energy.

Rather than focusing solely on financial profit, Renewable Energy Communities prioritize:

• Community participation
• Local renewable energy generation
• Affordable and clean energy
• Environmental sustainability
• Social inclusion
• Shared economic benefits
• Democratic decision-making

These communities contribute to cleaner energy systems while helping reduce energy costs and strengthening local resilience.

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Expand decentralized renewable energy generation.
• Increase local production and consumption of clean energy.
• Strengthen citizen participation in Portugal’s energy transition.
• Support the development of Renewable Energy Communities.
• Build technical capacity within local organizations.
• Promote inclusive and participatory governance.
• Improve community energy literacy.
• Encourage territorial diversity across Portugal.
• Increase participation by economically vulnerable households.
• Promote renewable energy projects in rural and low-density areas.

Focus Areas

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following areas:

• Renewable Energy Communities
• Community energy
• Renewable energy generation
• Energy transition
• Decentralized energy systems
• Collective self-consumption
• Community participation
• Energy democracy
• Local governance
• Energy literacy
• Rural development
• Social inclusion
• Climate action
• Sustainable energy
• Community resilience
• Clean energy innovation

Funding Amount

The initiative expects to support:

• 10 selected projects

Each project may receive:

• Up to €30,000

The funding is intended to support early-stage activities that prepare Renewable Energy Communities for future implementation.

Eligible Activities

Funding may support activities such as:

• Community engagement and outreach
• Technical feasibility studies
• Community consultations
• Participatory planning workshops
• Governance model development
• Legal and organizational preparation
• Technical project design
• Energy assessments
• Capacity-building activities
• Awareness campaigns
• Energy literacy initiatives
• Stakeholder coordination
• Project planning and development

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Locally based non-profit organizations
• Non-profit legal entities registered in Portugal
• Community organizations
• Local associations
• Cooperatives
• Organizations developing Renewable Energy Communities

Applicants must:

• Be legally registered in Portugal.
• Be developing an early-stage Renewable Energy Community.
• Demonstrate that the project has not yet entered the licensing stage.
• Meet all program eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Conditions

To qualify, applicants must:

• Develop Renewable Energy Community projects at an early stage.
• Have no pending or approved licensing application with Portugal’s Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG).
• Not have previously received public or private funding for Renewable Energy Community or collective self-consumption projects.
• Be able to carry out community-based renewable energy development activities.

Who is Not Eligible?

Projects are not eligible if they:

• Already have a licensing application pending or approved by DGEG.
• Have previously received public or private funding for Renewable Energy Communities.
• Have already secured funding for collective self-consumption projects.
• Are not led by eligible non-profit organizations.

Why This Initiative Matters

Renewable Energy Communities enable citizens to become active participants in the clean energy transition rather than simply energy consumers.

This initiative helps communities:

• Reduce dependence on centralized energy systems.
• Increase renewable energy production.
• Improve local energy resilience.
• Lower long-term energy costs.
• Strengthen local cooperation.
• Promote democratic energy governance.
• Support climate action and carbon reduction.
• Expand access to clean energy for vulnerable households.

How to Apply

Follow these steps when preparing your application:

1. Confirm your organization is an eligible non-profit entity registered in Portugal.
2. Develop an early-stage Renewable Energy Community concept.
3. Design a participatory governance approach involving local stakeholders.
4. Prepare a project plan explaining objectives, activities, and expected outcomes.
5. Demonstrate that the project has not entered the licensing stage.
6. Confirm that no previous funding has been received for the proposed REC project.
7. Submit the application according to the program guidelines before the deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

A competitive proposal should:

• Demonstrate strong community participation.
• Include local authorities or community organizations where appropriate.
• Clearly explain community benefits.
• Promote inclusion of vulnerable households.
• Show realistic implementation planning.
• Include activities that improve energy literacy.
• Present a sustainable governance model.
• Highlight long-term environmental and social impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Applying with projects already in the licensing process.
• Requesting funding for projects that have already received similar support.
• Providing unclear governance arrangements.
• Limiting community participation.
• Failing to explain local energy needs.
• Submitting incomplete technical information.
• Overlooking inclusion and territorial diversity objectives.

Expected Outcomes

Supported projects are expected to:

• Establish new Renewable Energy Communities.
• Increase citizen participation in renewable energy.
• Strengthen local organizational capacity.
• Improve community energy knowledge.
• Promote decentralized clean energy generation.
• Increase renewable energy access in rural and underserved areas.
• Encourage inclusive and participatory governance.
• Contribute to Portugal’s energy transition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Gulbenkian Energy Communities Initiative?

Locally based non-profit legal entities registered in Portugal that are developing early-stage Renewable Energy Community projects.

How much funding is available?

Each selected project may receive up to €30,000.

How many projects will be funded?

The initiative expects to support 10 projects.

Can projects already in the licensing process apply?

No. Projects with a pending or approved licensing application with the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology are not eligible.

Can previously funded Renewable Energy Community projects apply?

No. Organizations that have already received public or private funding for Renewable Energy Community or collective self-consumption projects are not eligible.

What types of activities are supported?

Eligible activities include technical development, community engagement, participatory planning, governance design, energy literacy, feasibility work, and capacity building for early-stage Renewable Energy Communities.

Why are Renewable Energy Communities important?

Renewable Energy Communities empower citizens to collectively produce and manage clean energy, reduce energy costs, strengthen local resilience, increase community participation, and support national climate and sustainability goals.

Conclusion

The Gulbenkian Energy Communities Initiative offers a valuable opportunity for Portuguese non-profit organizations to establish community-led renewable energy projects that advance clean energy, social inclusion, and local resilience. With grants of up to €30,000 for early-stage Renewable Energy Communities, the initiative supports technical development, citizen participation, and innovative governance models that contribute to a more sustainable and decentralized energy future in Portugal.