On 11 February 2026, in Vilnius, partners from the SUN BOX project and the ComActivate project exchanged experience and joined forces around a shared goal – making renewable energy truly accessible for households affected by energy poverty. They presented proven approaches for cooperation with homeowners’ associations, and participants also visited successfully renovated residential buildings on site.

The focus was clear:

☀️ balcony photovoltaic installations with battery energy storage systems
🏢 solutions for multi-apartment buildings
🤝 community-based models and active citizen participation
🏛️ One-Stop-Shop centers as a practical support instrument

SUN BOX is not just a project, but a real opportunity for more families to take control of their energy costs. Through the pilot installation of 200 balcony photovoltaic systems in each participating country – Lithuania, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia – it demonstrates that small solutions can have a big impact: lower bills, greater security, and increased independence. Because sometimes change starts on a balcony, but is felt throughout the entire home.

Yes, the regulatory framework still presents challenges for the widespread deployment of renewables in multi-apartment buildings. However, the dialogue between institutions, experts, and civil society organizations proves that there is willingness for change. And it is precisely such meetings that lay the foundation for sustainable solutions.

As part of the program, participants visited the municipal One-Stop-Shop center Atnaujinkime miestą – an example of how local authorities can actively support residential building renovation and work hand in hand with homeowners’ associations.

Among the inspiring speakers in the panel discussions were Airidas Daukšas (Deputy Minister of Energy of Lithuania) and Christian Ofenheusle (Bundesverband Steckersolar e.V.). Assya Dobrudzhalieva shared the organization’s experience in the panel “Integrating renewable energy in multi-apartment buildings: challenges and opportunities for plug-in photovoltaic systems”.

SUN BOX, funded by the European Climate Initiative (European Climate Initiative (EUKI)), together with the ComActivate project under the LIFE Programme (LIFE Programme), demonstrates that when we combine energy efficiency, decentralized generation, and strong local communities, we can truly reduce energy poverty in Europe.

💛 Because the energy transition starts on the balcony. And reaches every household.