Join the MUSE DHC free Support & Peer-to-Peer Coaching Programme!
Become a MUSE DHC follower!
We are looking for motivated energy communities, energy cooperatives, small utilities or DHC operators, Local Administrations and other potential developers of district heating & cooling projects to benefit from our inspiring experience, best-practices and knowledge gained along the way.
By becoming a follower case, you will learn first-hand from the direct experience from MUSE DHC 9 real case studies in 5 European Countries of truly community-led DHC developments. The project’s transversality will support the set-up of efficient community-led DHC projects based on the MUSE DHC approach. Our method will allow wide replication of its results, no matter the size of the network, geographical location, or energy mix used.
Heating and cooling account for roughly 50% of EU energy consumption with more than 75% come from fossil fuels. Renewable and clean heating and cooling is a key enabler for a sustainable energy transition towards decarbonisation and energy autonomy in the current energy crisis. Increasing energy efficiency and sustainability of this sector is necessary to achieve the targets within the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU plan towards climate neutrality. Furthermore, doing so within an energy community reduces the cost of living, and strengthen’s Europe’s autonomy. According to the European Commission, by participating in an energy community, an average household in Europe can save up to 1100 euros per year (European Commission, ‘Action Plan for Affordable Energy’, 2025: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0079&qid=1741780110418).
Because heating and cooling is a fully localised sector, actions must be taken at the local level involving a variety of stakeholders and requiring solutions and technologies adapted to very specific local conditions. District Heating and Cooling (DHC) can be a very effective solution, applicable in a variety of contexts ranging from rural communities to neighbourhoods where the availability of so called “waste heat sources” creates often extremely favourable conditions to harvest energy to avoid the use of fossil fuels. What is little known is that these projects do not necessarily require the intervention of large, structured and experienced utilities. The community energy concept is proven and effective to foster the green transition, although its potential remains significantly untapped in heating and cooling.
By this, we aim at supporting you in developing succcessful new community-led district heating & cooling projects in your pathway towards reaching decarbonisation goals. For this purpose, we have launched this Call for Followers.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Any potential developer of a community-led DHC project, from all over the European Union, can apply to this call, namely photovoltaic-based (or using other types of renewable electricity) energy communities willing to add also heating & cooling supply to their portfolio, energy cooperatives, small utilities or DHC operators, Municipalities, Regions and other public authorities.
WHY TO APPLY?
- Access key knowledge and expertise on the development of community-led district heating & cooling;
- Receive direct peer-to-peer support and advice from our experts and engage with key stakeholders from the field;
- Enlarge your network and get more visibility;
- Speed up your path towards decarbonisation.
WHICH SUPPORT SHOULD I EXPECT?
The peer-to-peer coaching and support activities will start from your specific needs and different project partners will be activated to help you depending on the topics you would like to focus on.
You could, for example:
- Receive peer-to-peer coaching with experts from the MUSE DHC team, for example first-level technical feasibility of your project, business models and financial plans, reference best practices, etc.;
- Learn about the step-by-step process to develop new community-led district heating & cooling projects, from citizen-led governance to technical and financial analysis;
- Understand your local context with its key drivers and barriers;
- Identify and engage with key stakeholders from your area;
- Have exclusive access to studies and analyses conducted within the project;
- Benefit from the project’s extensive networking channels to promote your case and engage with stakeholders.
Coaching and support activities will be held through online meetings, email exchange, phone calls or in-person meeting depending on the needs and opportunities.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
Applications must be submitted exclusively by completing the following form.
The MUSE DHC project consortium will assess the applications received based on the following criteria:
- Geographical balance
- Commitment to a community-led approach, including the involvement of citizens and local stakeholders.
- Main features of the local energy system
- Level of experience in H&C decarbonisation plans, in energy strategies and in citizen and stakeholder engagement
- Ambition, vision and objectives related to the development of community-led DHC.
WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?
October 6th, 2026 – Call published
November 16th, 2026 – Deadline for submitting applications
November 23rd, 2026 – Selection of the followers which will get support from MUSE DHC
November 30th, 2026 – Signature of the Memorandum of Collaboration between MUSE DHC and the selected followers
January 2027 – Start of the support activities