Rabo Impact Foundation and Energie Samen support new community heating initiatives

Local residents looking to develop sustainable heating solutions in their communities will now have access to additional support. Rabo Impact Foundation is contributing EUR 2 million in a new fund of Energie Samen, the Dutch umbrella organisation for energy communities. Through its Initiatiefonds Warmte (a fund for heat initiatives), Energie Samen will be able to support early-stage local energy initiatives and help accelerate the development of community heat networks. Applications for financial support are open from 12 June via the Energie Samen website.

Foto voor website Rabo Impact Foundation

Municipalities across the Netherlands are developing plans to heat homes and neighbourhoods using alternatives to natural gas. In doing so, they are increasingly partnering with community-led initiatives and energy cooperatives, recognizing that local support is essential for the success of heating solutions such as district heating networks. For residents who want to start a initiative themselves, getting a project off the ground can be challenging. It takes time and resources to determine the most suitable solution for their area, set up an organisation and bring other local residents on board. Not every municipality offers support during this phase. Thanks to the contribution from Rabo Impact Foundation, community initiatives can now receive financial support for part of this preparatory work.

We are committed to helping accelerate sustainable change, including the energy transition. Support for local heat initiatives is often hardest to find in the early stages, even though this is when the foundations for successful projects are laid. Through this partnership, we can ensure that financial support and expert guidance reach promising initiatives sooner. Lizette Wolters, CEO Rabo Impact Foundation
The level of support available to community initiatives varies considerably from one municipality to another. As a result, the likelihood of success often depends on where people live. This contribution gives more initiatives the opportunity to develop a strong plan, involve their local community and move their project forward. That helps level the playing field. Siward Zomer, Chair Energie Samen

About Energie Samen

Energie Samen is the national umbrella organisation for energy communities in the Netherlands. The organisation supports local sustainable energy initiatives through advocacy, knowledge sharing and practical services. Energie Samen champions locally generated renewable energy and encourages active citizen participation in the energy transition. Around 700 energy cooperatives across the Netherlands, supported by Energie Samen, enable neighbourhoods, villages and cities to contribute collectively to and take ownership of their own sustainable energy and heat supply.

Learn more about Energie Samen here