June 2022 – In order to find out the status quo of the implementation of one-stop shops on energy-related building modernisation in Germany, the German replication partner ZEBAU GmbH carries out a two-step analysis. In the first step, a workshop on the topic of one-stop shops was held on 1^st July 2022 with 15 energy and climate protection agencies in Germany that are organised in the Federal Association of Energy and Climate Protection Agencies in Germany (eaD).

The workshop helped to raise awareness of the topic of one-stop shops and to obtain an initial overview of the approaches already being implemented in Germany. The basic elements of one-stop-shops were exemplarily illustrated through the experiences in Toulouse and a one-stop-shop in the Hanover Region (Germany) that is currently developed within the ProRetro project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (read more about the project here). Based on the two projects, the models of one-stop-shops with regard to the challenges of modernisation in Germany were discussed.

A glimpse into the landscape of one-stop-shops in Germany

One-stop-shops are seen as an important solution to increase the modernisation rate and to lower the inhibition thresholds of private owners and to offer guidance through the entire modernisation process by all participants. When the agencies were asked whether they run one-stop-shops and how they would classify these, it became clear that all of them describe their one-stop-shops as a “facilitation model” and only a few of them as “coordination models”. In the “facilitation model” initial advice on building modernisation is offered by all agencies, as well as training in energy-efficient building for energy consultants, architects and engineers. Often, modernisation networks are also supported by the agencies, which are an important element of “coordination models”. In general, it became clear that the step between these two models currently represents the major threshold for all and is an important development step for one-stop-shops in Germany. The biggest challenge is to accompany the owners through the entire renovation process.

In general, it was pointed out that the one-stop-shops have to be differentiated according to the target group and that, in addition to private and commercial building owners, municipalities are also an important target group that face completely different challenges. In addition, long-term financing of the one-stop-shop must be secured without burdening private owners too much financially and without being dependent on subsidies from the state or the EU.

Online survey to scope the status-quo

In the second step of the analysis, an online survey was conducted from June to July 2022 among all members of the eaD to answer the two central questions:

• Which approaches of one-stop shops exist in Germany?
• What could a potential development of the German one-stop shops look like?

The results of the online survey is currently assessed. Recommendations for action will be derived from the results of the analysis as to how the (further) development of the German One-Stop-Shops can be successful. We will keep you informed about the results on this blog.