2026 European Sustainable Energy Awards: vote for your favourite finalist

The 9 finalists for the 2026 European Sustainable Energy Awards (EUSEW Awards) have been announced today, highlighting outstanding contributions from individuals and projects to the clean energy transition in Europe.

The awards are divided into 3 categories. 2 are recurring themes: Women in Energy and Local Energy Action. The third one is brand new: SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency through innovative business or financing models.

The winners will be decided by an online public vote, open from 5 until 31 May, and will be announced at the EUSEW Awards ceremony during European Sustainable Energy Week in Brussels on 9 June 2026.

Finalists

SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency Award: This category honours small and medium-sized enterprises that have developed and deployed innovative business or financing models to advance energy efficiency solutions, notably in buildings and industry.

• Ener2Crowd is an innovative crowdfunding platform raising millions of euros in citizen investments for energy efficiency projects in buildings and industry

• Water Horizon offers low carbon cooling solutions, using mobile battery technology to capture waste heat from one place, store it and deliver it as cooling to another

• RE-LEAF is pioneering an innovative approach to tackling energy poverty by linking mortgage finance with renovation advice

Local Energy Action Award: This category recognises implemented clean energy actions, driven by a group of citizens, consumers, a municipality or other stakeholders, which contribute to the clean energy transition at the community or local level.

• 100 Projects Phasing Out Gas is Vienna's good-practice portfolio for phasing out fossil gas in existing buildings and driving the local clean energy transition towards 100% renewable heating

• Nova Energia Osona has developed renewable energy projects based on an alliance between local authorities and energy communities in Catalonia

• MultiHome offers a local cooperation platform for energy renovations in Bulgaria's second city of Plovdiv

Women in Energy Award: As in past years, this category recognises women who lead outstanding activities that, if replicated, help to advance the clean energy transition in Europe. Particular attention is placed on efforts to drive the gender mainstreaming agenda and support equality and equal opportunities in the energy sector.

• Donna Gartland is driving Ireland's transition to low-carbon heat while mainstreaming gender equality in the energy sector

• Suzanne Renard leads a French national movement that brings together, supports, and finances citizen-led renewable energy projects with an active focus on diversity

• Nadia Horstmann plays a key role at the German Energy Regulator and champions gender equality at national and international level

European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is the biggest annual event in Europe on the clean energy transition. The 20^th edition takes place between 9 and 11 June 2026. Check the programme and register to attend onsite or online.

Related links

• Vote for your favourite finalist

• European Sustainable Energy Week