Three outstanding individuals and projects have won the 2026 European Sustainable Energy Awards for their innovation and achievements advancing the field of energy efficiency and renewables in Europe and beyond. The prizes reward achievements that contribute to the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal and encourage others to adopt best practices in building a clean energy future.
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is the biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe. It is organized by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy and the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).
The 20th edition of EUSEW is taking place in a hybrid format, onsite in Brussels and online, on June 9-11 2026. The European Sustainable Energy Week consists of a three-day Policy Conference, European Sustainable Energy Awards Ceremony, Energy Fair and activities dedicated to the Young Energy Ambassadors.
The winners of the Awards were chosen by an online public vote in three categories: Local Energy Action, Women in Energy and SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency.
City of Vienna is in Europe’s top tier
Pioneering clean energy initiative 100 Projects Phasing Out Gas, led by the City of Vienna’s climate and innovation agency UIV Urban Innovation Vienna and its Energy Planning Department, won in the Local Energy Action category, recognising its impact in driving the transition towards a 100% renewable energy supply in the Austrian capital by 2040.
The participants in the 100 Projects Phasing Out Gas initiative have replaced over a thousand gas boilers with renewable energy systems in Vienna in two years
While the initiative’s participants have replaced over a thousand gas boilers with renewable energy systems in two years, the project has translated this experience into a curated learning programme, transferring lessons on how to tackle the practical, legal and procedural challenges in renovating multi-storey buildings.
Low-carbon district heating for Ireland
Donna Gartland, the head of Dublin’s Energy Agency Codema, won in the Women in Energy category, rewarding her role in driving Ireland’s transition to low-carbon heat. She has been instrumental in leading a landmark district heating project using waste heat from a nearby data centre to supply municipal and residential buildings, as well as securing major EU funding under the LIFE Clean Energy Transition programme.
At the same time, she has transformed workplace practices, mainstreaming gender equality and progressive policies at Codema, including a four-day working week on full pay and a gender-neutral family leave policy.
Innovative financing model links mortgage planning with renovation advice
RE-LEAF: Affordable Renovation, a project in the Belgian province of Limburg, funded under the EU’s LIFE programme, won in the SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency category, rewarding its efforts in pioneering an innovative financing model to tackling energy poverty by linking mortgage planning with renovation advice.
The project brings together social lender Onesto with local renovation consultants in the Energiehuis Limburg, allowing buyers to assess and include energy renovations before they take out a mortgage. Such renovations can reduce energy use by 40% to 60% while increasing property values by up to 15%.
For updates on the agenda and location of the events, refer to the EUSEW Programme and the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) page on LinkedIn. You can still join the event, either in person or online by registering, and then the platform opens up the possibility of networking with other participants.
Join the conversation on social media via #EUSEW2026.
