GGF Impact Stories: Raising awareness of household energy efficiency benefits in Kosovo*

An awareness-raising campaign for households in Kosovo*, carried out by the Green for Growth Fund (GGF) and local microlender KEP Trust, has helped homeowners understand the benefits of improved energy efficiency, boosting demand for loans for this purpose.

The campaign, under the slogan “Invest today to save tomorrow,” focused on raising awareness of the enhanced comfort and savings in energy bills achieved through energy efficiency measures, such as replacing windows and installing insulation, as well as of the availability of microloans at GGF partner lenders.

The housing sector, the largest energy consumer in Kosovo*, has the potential to cut its energy consumption by over 40%.

The campaign has helped raise awareness of savings in energy bills achieved through energy efficiency measures

The campaign covered TV and radio stations, social media, as well as direct marketing that targeted both urban and rural communities.

Until 2016, when the GGF added Kosovo* to its portfolio, energy efficiency lending there was limited to a handful of banks, with products targeted mainly at larger residential schemes and businesses providing energy efficiency products and services to households.

However, reports from GGF partner institutions in Kosovo* now demonstrate an improved awareness among households and increased demand for such loans. The fund is currently promoting its activities as Green Journey.

GGF’s overall portfolio grew to over EUR 1.1 billion in 2020, with 40,000 end-borrowers

The GGF was launched in 2009 by Germany’s KfW Development Bank and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with financial support from the European Commission, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Austrian Development Bank (OeEB).

The GGF Impact Report for 2020 revealed that the facility mobilized EUR 135 million in investments and technical assistance commitments, with its portfolio increasing to over EUR 1.1 billion and covering more than 40,000 end-borrowers.

The funds were dedicated to financing measures that boost a green recovery and advance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resource efficiency in Southeast Europe, Turkey, the EU’s eastern neighbors, the Middle East, and North Africa.