ENERGY AGENCY OF PLOVDIV ASSOCIATION

Their core work

The Energy Agency of Plovdiv is a Bulgarian regional energy agency that helps local authorities and citizens implement energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. They specialize in building renovation programs, energy performance certification, one-stop-shop advisory services, and community engagement for energy transitions. Their practical work focuses on bridging EU energy policy with on-the-ground implementation in municipalities — training local officials, supporting building owners through renovation processes, and promoting renewable heating and cooling solutions.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015-2018), EAP focused on household-level energy monitoring, behaviour change through smart devices (DOMINO), and exploring smart city concepts like positive energy districts (CityxChange). From 2019 onward, their work shifted decisively toward building renovation infrastructure — one-stop-shops, energy performance certification, peer learning among local authorities, and renewable heating and cooling market support. This evolution shows a move from awareness-raising and monitoring toward practical delivery mechanisms for deep energy renovation at scale.

EAP is moving toward becoming a regional hub for building renovation support services and one-stop-shop models, with growing interest in citizen science and inclusive energy transitions (gender, community participation).

How they like to work

EAP exclusively participates as a partner or third party — they have never coordinated an H2020 project. They consistently work in large consortia (109 unique partners across 25 countries), indicating they are valued as a reliable regional implementation partner rather than a project initiator. Their strength lies in providing a Bulgarian/Southeast European perspective and local authority networks to broader European initiatives.

EAP has built a broad European network of 109 unique partners across 25 countries through 9 projects, giving them connections well beyond their region. Their partnerships span Western, Northern, and Southern Europe, making them one of the better-connected Bulgarian organizations for energy-related consortia.

What sets them apart

EAP offers something rare: a Bulgarian regional energy agency with genuine EU-wide project experience and deep local authority networks in Southeast Europe. For consortium builders, they provide access to the Bulgarian market and municipal decision-makers — a region underrepresented in many energy projects but critical for EU-wide renovation wave ambitions. Their combination of policy knowledge, citizen engagement skills, and building renovation expertise makes them a practical partner for projects needing real-world implementation sites.

Highlights from their portfolio

• QualDeEPC
  Core to their current identity — directly addresses energy performance certification quality across Europe, a key enabler for the EU renovation wave.
• CityxChange
  Largest budget (EUR 387,938) and most ambitious scope — positive energy districts and smart city transformation in a major EU Innovation Action.
• CompAir
  Most recent project (2021-2024) and a strategic pivot into citizen science and air quality, signaling diversification beyond traditional energy work.