Gulbenkian Foundation backs 10 citizen renewable energy communities in Portugal

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation announced a competition to create ten citizen‑led renewable energy communities (CER) in Portugal. Each of the ten best proposals will receive up to €30,000 in funding, along with training and capacity‑building support, through a partnership with the sustainable‑development cooperative Coopérnico.

The programme targets associations, cooperatives and other civil‑society groups in low‑density territories or areas with high energy vulnerability, aiming to help families facing significant energy costs. It seeks to demonstrate that the energy transition can be driven locally, increasing citizen participation in neighbourhoods, parishes and municipalities. Portugal currently has fewer than a dozen licensed community energy projects, with limited financial capacity being a major barrier.