Home energy renovation is getting a lot of attention in Serbia right now. There’s clear political will, and various resources - financial, administrative, and so on - are being put into place to meet national energy goals. But even with all that effort, the results so far have been mixed. One big reason? People just aren’t aware enough, and the capacities (skills, knowledge, support) aren’t really there yet.

At a global level, we’re facing the climate crisis and trying to shift away from fossil fuels. Renovating buildings to be more energy-efficient is actually one of the most powerful tools we have to move things in the right direction.

In the EU, energy renovation could cut energy use by about 26%, which is huge. But even there, despite all kinds of programs to encourage home renovations, the process is often complicated and slow. People, contractors, and finance companies all run into barriers that make it hard to follow through.

What seems to help is when the people involved, especially the tenants, already have some basic understanding of what energy renovation is and why it matters. When that’s the case, projects tend to go more smoothly. That’s why raising awareness and building up everyone’s capacity is such an important piece of the puzzle.

So what’s a One-Stop Shop?

In Europe, one thing that’s really helped is something called a “One-Stop Shop” (OSS). It’s basically a place, either physical or online, where people can get all the information and support they need to start and complete an energy renovation project. That includes advice, help connecting with professionals, sometimes even financing options. It's like having a renovation guide and support team in one.

These OSSs have been really effective across Europe, which is why they’re now being promoted in EU policies. In fact, the EU’s updated Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) says that countries should make sure there’s at least one OSS per 80,000 people, or one per region, especially in places where buildings are older or where big renovation programs are planned.

Where does Serbia fit in?

Serbia has a pretty ambitious legal framework when it comes to energy renovation. But there’s no actual obligation yet to set up OSSs. Right now, the only legal requirement is that local governments (LSGs) offer some kind of technical support to citizens once a week. That’s something, but it’s nowhere near what’s needed.

That said, there are some local efforts happening already, people trying to prove there’s interest in OSS-type support, even if there are still a lot of challenges to deal with, just like in the EU. If we look at what’s worked and what hasn’t worked in other countries, we can hopefully skip some of the common mistakes. For example, some OSSs in Europe didn’t last because their funding ran out. So, Serbia needs to think seriously about how to make these things financially sustainable over time.

What should an OSS offer, anyway?

It’s important to define what kind of support an OSS should give. In some places, it’s just basic info, like what public calls are available for energy efficiency upgrades. But more advanced OSSs go a lot further, helping people find contractors, navigate the renovation process, and even access financing.

Also, in some parts of Europe, OSSs are run by Energy Communities, which are groups made up of local residents. People tend to trust these more, and that could be a good model for Serbia once our Energy Community mechanisms get going.

Final thoughts

Serbia has a real opportunity here. Creating One-Stop Shops for energy renovation could make a huge difference in how fast and how well we move through the energy transition. But for that to happen, we need to invest in awareness, build strong local support systems, and make sure these services are actually accessible to the people who need them most.

Let’s make it easier for people to renovate their homes - and in doing so, build a more energy-efficient, climate-friendly future for everyone.

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