EPCO - A co-designed framework to address groups most vulnerable to energy poverty

Project Description

Energy poverty, defined as the inability to secure adequate and affordable energy services, is a complex, multi-dimensional issue disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups across Ireland. Despite policy advances, challenges persist in accurately identifying and characterising at-risk populations due to data gaps, rigid eligibility criteria, and limited stakeholder engagement. The EPCO project addresses these challenges by pioneering a stakeholder-led, co-designed approach to mapping energy poverty vulnerabilities and its intricacies. Through a dual-layer engagement strategy – collaborating with advocacy groups and directly involving affected communities – EPCO will develop intersectional vulnerability indices and dynamic tools, such as a vulnerability dashboard and energy poverty passports, to support targeted policy interventions. The project employs the DMAIC methodology to ensure continuous refinement and validation of both stakeholder engagement and policy prototyping. Co-design labs will facilitate the development and validation of innovative interventions, including flexible retrofit financing and tailored in-kind support, with robust metrics for monitoring impact. EPCO further enhances its approach by integrating advanced data analytics and AI-assisted tools, drawing on high-quality data sources and cross-sectoral expertise. By fostering collaboration among researchers, NGOs, policymakers, and local authorities, EPCO aims to deliver actionable insights and scalable solutions for energy poverty. The project’s open research framework and capacity-building initiatives, including a dedicated PhD training initiative, will strengthen Ireland’s leadership in this field. Ultimately, EPCO seeks to advance fair, effective, and evidence-based policymaking to better support those most at risk of energy poverty.

Web site: epco.ie
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epco-ie/
Instagram: @epco.ie
Twitter/X: @epco_ie