Investigating EU financial instruments to tackle energy poverty in households: A SWOT analysis

This paper aims to provide an overview of the existing financial instruments and successful schemes focused on facilitating the implementation of energy efficiency-related measures, in the context of addressing the problem of energy poverty, along with its adverse socio-economic effects. To this end, the paper presents the challenges and limitations that are associated with each financial instrument, and potential beneficiaries may face upon joining the program. The paper uses the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis for drawing results about the perspectives of the engaged financial instruments. Finally, the paper, drawing form the said analysis, provides policy recommendations on a) how these limitations should be addressed, in order to better target the roots of the problem and b) how the social dimension of energy poverty could be integrated into the future policymaking processes. The results stemming from the analysis are encouraging, indicating the strengths of the proposed financial instruments, while also highlighting future challenges.