Deliverable D6.2 - Business Models and Financial Schemes: identification and development

This report is structured in two major parts and presents: (1) the market strategy of e-SAFE, including the incorporation of a new entity, namely “e-SAFE”, as a European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG) in Belgium, and the core business model utilizing the Business Model Canvas (BMC) methodology and (2) a comprehensive range of financial schemes that might be applicable to finance e-SAFE renovations and support the project’s large-scale retrofitting objectives. The business model for e-SAFE focuses around maximizing the project’s impact and financial sustainability while delivering value to multiple stakeholders, including building owners, public authorities, and private investors and institutions. By incorporating a new entity leveraging an EEIG structure, e-SAFE can effectively replicate its pilot projects across different regions, ensuring scalability and adaptability. Partnerships with public authorities at regional/local and/or national level, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), financial institutions such as banks offering green loans and revolving loan funds, along with the participation of the new entity in initiatives like Energiesprong Italy, would strengthen the e-SAFE’s ability to secure funds and manage risks, while ensuring sustainability of the results of the project beyond its lifecycle. The financial schemes explored and analysed in this report address the financial challenges of retrofitting by providing accessible funding, minimizing upfront costs, and creating long-term savings opportunities. Through a combination of public and private financing mechanisms, such as crowdfunding, green loans, Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs), and potentially carbon credits, e-SAFE can significantly reduce the high upfront costs associated with retrofitting projects and facilitate the retrofitting of both residential and public buildings across Europe. Additionally, European Union (EU) and national grants and incentives available present substantial opportunities for securing further financial support. The financial schemes presented in this report will be promoted to potential customers, stakeholders and end-users. In this context, the present report sets out the basis of the go-to-market strategy to be employed by the new entity that will be established in Belgium by three project partners, to ensure further exploitation and commercialization of the project outcomes after the project completion.