Young Energy Consumers
Did you know that youth is an often neglected vulnerable group when it comes to energy consumers’ policies? We have set out to change this.
The Young Energy Consumers (YEC) Task Force of EYEN is proud to launch its new interactive dashboard on youth energy poverty. Based on responses from more than 4,500 young people across 9 European countries, this tool is one of the largest initiatives of its kind in Europe focused on youth and energy poverty.The dashboard allows users to explore and compare results by country, age group, gender, employment status, and more, providing valuable insights into the challenges young people face in the energy transition.
Discover the dashboard here!
Young Energy Consumers — EYEN's key task force
In April 2023, the Young Energy Consumers (YEC) Task Force was created with a team of young energy researchers and changemakers inside the European Youth Energy Network working on an ambitious goal: making young energy consumers more visible in EU policy. It was clear to us that young energy consumers were seriously underrepresented at the EU and subsequently national and local policy levels. The necessities of young energy consumers and their difficulties should not be eye-opening, especially not for an audience of consumer organisations (read our story below for more!). The YEC Task Force is finally filling this gap in research and representation.
Since its creation, the Young Consumers Task Force has been building a research database on youth as an energy consumer group in Europe. It sheds light into their specific challenges and provides success examples on how they can be included in policy-making. The Task Force participates in external events where it shares its research outcomes and advocates for decision-makers to take youth into account, while also collaborating with external projects as a youth inclusion advisor. Currently, we are working towards our goal of becoming an official advocacy body for young energy consumers, fostering both bottom-up, as well as top-down collaboration.
We kicked off our work with a pressing topic in the European energy transition…
The first focus — Youth are at risk of energy poverty
As its first focus topic, the task force started out with energy poverty in young energy consumers (between ages 18 & 35) in Europe. The team recognised a need for understanding the underpinning risk factors of energy poverty and tailoring solutions to address every social group being affected by energy poverty, so that no one is left behind.
The topic was chosen after informal consultations with the EU Commission because it was considered as timely considering EU policy developments. Since then, the Task Force has been in the Stakeholder Contact Group for Energy Poverty, organised by the European Commission in occasion of the drafting of the new Recommendation on Energy Poverty for 2023. We also started working on the quantitative and qualitative research to mitigate the lack of data and consequently policies both at the EU and at the member state level. This was however just the start!
Energy poverty research results out now! . . .
At the 15th Citizens’ Energy Forum on 9 November in Dublin, the Young Energy Consumers Task Force presented its preliminary research results covering the impact on youth, young consumer charateristics and a collection of government policies, an analysis of good practices, key stakeholders, recommendations and more!
Moving into action – youth in the energy transition
In 2024, the Task Force has substantially grown. Our work is now not limited to consumer policies, as we believe that young people should be able to actively shape the future of energy systems by also having a say on the issues of infrastructure and energy mix composition. We hence try to answer the question of how can the youth be better involved to actively shape the energy transition?
To answers this, the Task Force, with constant help from academic experts, has developed a research programme, consistent of three main pillars:
- Objectives:
- 1. Gather knowledge about the policy landscape with impacts on young energy consumers.
- 2. Discover policy gaps for inclusion of youth.
- Sectoral focus:
Consumers in residential and transport, RES and accompanying infrastructure development
- Objective:
- 1. Validate qualitative findings
- 2. Measure the scope of energy poverty
- 3. Identify key factors
- 4. Ensure diversity
- 5. Support policy development
- Sectoral focus:
- Consumers in residential sector.
- Objectives:
- 1. Discover real life policy gaps and needs of the actors on-the-ground.
- 2. Give voice to those addressing just transition challenges from an intersectional, non-standard perspective.
- Sectoral focus:
- Energy communities, sustainability offices, youth-led organisations.
The story of the YEC Task Force
Find out more about why the task force was founded and which key milestones there have been so far:
Let’s travel back to November 2022, to the 14th Citizens’ Energy Forum, the yearly event organised by the European Commission and the Irish Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to create a bridge between stakeholders involved in EU energy consumption. At the event, Carlotta Ferri – Vice President of EYEN – spoke about the lack of inclusion of youth in energy consumer policies and the neglected challenges & needs of young energy consumers. She raised awareness on how youth’s lack of education, financial resources and opportunities limit the impact that people can have as proactive consumers.
Carlotta’s speech was eye-opening to the audience of consumer organisations, which made EYEN realise that young energy consumers were seriously underrepresented at the EU level. To create a background in knowledge on the topic of young energy consumers in Europe, in April 2023, EYEN established the Young Energy Consumers Task Force, which aims at becoming a recognised, legitimate and official advocacy body giving a voice to young energy consumers. Working with regulators and established consumer organisations like the Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs (BEUC) or the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
In September 2023, the task force was represented by policy analyst Halina Jagielska at the Annual Conference of the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH), the leading EU initiative to eradicate energy poverty at the local level. Her presentation highlighted that even though most countries are increasingly concerned by energy poverty in youth, very limited data on the topic is available and no country classifies youth as a vulnerable group. To create adequate policies, we need more information on young energy consumers and their specific situations.
On the 23rd of October, EYEN’s President Federico Barbieri participated in the launch of the European Commission Recommendation & Staff Working document on energy poverty on behalf of our organisation. The meeting was opened by Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders and Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, and participants signed the renewal of joint common principles for enhanced consumer protection during the winter.
15th Citizens’ Energy Forum (9th Nov 2023, Dublin)
The yearly event is organised by the EU Commission and the Irish Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to create a bridge between different stakeholders involved in EU energy consumption. At the event’s opening, the Task Force presented its preliminary findings of its first year of research. The event was live streamed. Other actors involved include: DG-ENER, Irish Ministry for Climate and Energy, Regulatory Assistance Project, BEUC, Council of European Energy Regulators, TEN Section of the European Economic and Social Committee, TransnetBW GmbH, Slovene Consumers’ Association, EPQ, Commission for Regulation of Utilities, Greenvolt Communidades, EnergieSamen.he Young Energy Consumers Task Force’s representative, Halina Jagielska, actively participated also in the high-level, closed-door Regulatory Roundtable on EU consumer policy involving EU countries, energy regulators and EU level stakeholders. During the Roundtable, she was able to make use of the Task Force’s findings and contribute to the debates on the Electricity Market Design Reform.
In 2024 we were honoured to have hosted a stand during European Sustainable Energy Week in Brussels.
On the 15th of October, our policy analyst Mafalda Estêvão co-hosted a workshop at the EPAH (Energy Poverty Advisory Hub) conference in Barcelona. The discussion centered around the challenges and characteristics of young energy consumers, defined as those aged 16 to 35. This demographic often finds themselves in transitional phases—pursuing education, starting careers, or navigating temporary employment. The workshop also featured presentations by Unai Arrieta Salgado from TTA (Trama TecnoAmbiental) and Adrian Brasero Romo from Neanergy Startup. Following these insights, participants engaged in discussions on how to foster collaboration between national and local authorities, local organizations, and youth to address energy poverty effectively. Key topics included exploring necessary regulatory changes to prevent discrimination against young people in energy poverty alleviation measures, particularly within the framework of energy communities.
In October 2024, the Young Energy Consumers Task Force was also invited to present the new research programme in the European Commission’s DG ENER, as well as in the premises of BEUC (European Consumers Organisation). The meetings were a great opportunities to exchange ideas and to receive a valuable insight from experts in the field.
Young Energy Consumer Task for is proud to be selected for the EU Youth Test initiative, led by the EESC (European Economic and Social Committee), where we will directly contribute to shaping EU legislation. By providing our insights on critical energy and social policies, we are ensuring that the voices of young people are represented in impactful EU decisions. We currently actively participate in the works of study groups in NAT and SOC Sections in the EESC. Aligning with our commitment to involving young people in the energy transition, we are honored to actively participate in the stakeholder group of Pact for Engagement. This allows us to bring the youth perspective to TSOs, DSOs, and major energy companies, emphasizing the importance of early citizen involvement.
You will also be able to see us during the 16th Citizens Energy Forum in December 2024 in Budapest and much more to come!
How to build a knowledge base
on young energy consumers
Before policy-makers can draft efficient policies addressed at youth, we must build a common knowledge base on young energy consumers. This is how we‘re doing it:
- Conduct comprehensive background research (policy, qualitative interviews with consumers, quantitative survey) on the consumer profile of young energy consumers (15-29 years old), including factors like educational level, sectoral occupation, political/social involvement, accommodation, house rating, and spending profile.
- Conduct research on the specific topic of energy poverty among youth, highlighting its current status and its impact.
Identify potential stakeholders and map out their reactions to the issue of energy poverty among youth, including both negative and positive examples of engagement.
Propose potential solutions to alleviate energy poverty among youth, such as landlord mandates, special incentives, education programs, ground research on young energy consumers’ needs, increased youth participation in energy communities, and involvement in local government.
Share the research findings with policy-makers through various platforms and events, such as the EPAH Conference and the Citizens Energy Forum, in order to raise awareness and advocate for potential solutions.
Publish the research results on young energy consumers in accessible formats to disseminate knowledge more widely.
To learn more the group we have analysed as young energy consumers, acquiring a following preliminary profile:
- Age: from 18 to 35
- Occupation: Majority of them are students or young professionals (or unemployed young adults/ young adults on benefits, etc.)
- Educational level: Over 40% of young Europeans had a tertiary degree in 2021
- Sectoral occupation: more likely to work in services/tertiary sector
- Average salary: €1.400 – 1.600 per month
- Accommodation: more likely to live in urban areas and renting – alone or shared
- House average rating: energy efficiency of privately rented homes is poorer than that of owner-occupied properties in many countries across EU + most European rental homes currently achieve an average energy efficiency rating somewhere between classes C to E
- Characteristics: technologically savvy and environmentally conscious (more likely to try new techs according to a study)
- Lifestyle: libraries; gym; bar and clubs; travel; restaurants; flexibility in terms of work and study
- Spending profile: Commonly housing expenditure represent the majority of a person’s consumption expenditure, usually between 25-40%
EYEN's approach & contribution
As part of its activities, the European Youth Energy Network has been setting up Task Forces to focus on specific topics of pressing relevance for youth in the energy transition, acting like time-bound projects inside the federation. They can develop into long-term initiatives by becoming permanent Standing Committees.
EYEN is placing youth at the heart of the European energy transition by reshaping youth engagement, streamlining the voice of young people and creating the space for them to act. You can follow us on LinkedIn for updates and subscribe to the newsletter. See more of our work here: Energy Transition Careers Compass (task force), European Youth Energy Forum (yearly event, position paper with concrete proposals & implementation process).
EYEN is a youth-led international non-profit association, established in Brussels in 2022.
How can you get engaged?
[TOGETHER TOWARDS YOUTH INCLUSION] Share your projects with us! Whether you are an organisation or an individual researcher, we are open to collaboration on the projects researching the ways to include youth in the energy transition. We are also happy to take part in any debates that will arise on the topic, to contribute a unique focus on youth from the ranks of European youth-led non-profit.
[YOUNG ENERGY CONSUMERS] The Task Force is also looking for any other party working on the topic of youth as an energy consumer group from a social and regulatory point of view and that would like to provide insights for the task force’s research and/or start a project or include youth in an existing one.
[GENERAL OUTREACH] Lacking youth-focused component in your energy transition related endeavour? Feel free to reach out to the Young Energy Consumers Task Force for any matters related to conferences, joint research projects and other forms of collaboration.
Team
Meet the young changemakers from EYEN’s team:
Halina Jagielska
Task Force Coordinator
Julien Lemaire
YEC Deputy Coordinator
Bartłomiej Kupiec,
YEC Deputy Coordinator
Mafalda Estevao
Partnerships and Funding Officer
Alberto Pozzebon
YEC Officer
Olivier Roekens
YEC Officer
Emma Le Helley
YEC Officer
Maria Bellou
YEC Officer
Advisors
Carlotta Ferri
Advisor
Zenan Ahmed
Advisor
Special thanks to 2023 team members, Giulia Stafetti and Marco Gervasi.
Network & Partners
The Task Force is in close contact with the European Economic and Social Committee, taking part in the advisory programme on planned regulation “Youth Test” and has participated in the Stakeholder Contact Group for Energy Poverty and Pact for Engagement, both organised by the European Commission (see more in the timeline above). We are also eager to indulge in the expert groups of other NGOs and organisations, currently working inter alia on the ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability’s Fast and Fair Renewables and Grids guidelines. The Team is also working on collaborations with universities, to connect with current energy poverty research ideally focusing on young adults. More updates will follow soon.