The event followed up on the conclusions from the first national roundtable in March 2021 and the subsequent regional roundtables in the three Danish target regions.

The Roundtable was divided into a plenary session and two parallel topic sessions:

Session 1: Private homes

Session 2: Business / SMEs

In Session 1 on Private Homes, the focus was on the ‘one-stop-shop’ concept as a driving force for energy renovations in private homes in Denmark.

RoundBaltic aims to support the establishment of one-stop-shops in specific regions, emphasizing the need to optimize financial aspects and motivate homeowners. Key questions addressed included the role of ongoing initiatives, lessons from existing one-stop-shops, and conditions for financing.

The discussion highlighted the importance of simplicity for homeowners, local-level efforts with municipalities, and effective communication. Financial institutions collaborating in Sønderborg were cited as a positive example. Challenges related to the energy crisis, the need for substantial investments, and the role of tools like “Housing Analysis” were also discussed. Forward-looking recommendations included continued efforts to establish one-stop-shops, acknowledging the positive collaboration between the financial sector and municipalities, and adapting to evolving framework conditions and energy performnace certificates.

In Session 2, which focused on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), several key points were highlighted. The previous roundtables emphasized the benefits of inter- unicipal/regional collaborations in assisting SMEs with energy efficiency measures. The concept of “one-stop-shops” acting as comprehensive guides throughout the entire value chain, from screening to commissioning and monitoring, was discussed as advantageous.

There was a recognized need to enhance the competencies of advisors, banks, and municipalities to adopt a holistic approach that goes beyond mere energy savings, considering circularity principles and recognizing ancillary benefits. The involvement of a wider range of actors around projects, both in terms of advice and knowledge gathering, was considered essential to assist SMEs effectively.

Key questions included how to best organize and coordinate cooperation structures at the inter- municipal/regional level and how to coordinate the need for standardization and methodology development at the national level.

Discussions emphasized the importance of creating effective inter-municipal structures, akin to one-stop-shops, to guide SMEs and ensure the involvement of relevant actors. The ECSMV project, which utilized a locally anchored 1-to-1 dialogue, was presented as a successful model.

Financing challenges for SMEs in the private sector were acknowledged, leading to suggestions of utilizing government funds and foundations to supplement private loans with guarantees. The impact of green transition requirements on bank lending policies was noted, emphasizing the need for companies to have well-developed strategic plans that incorporate sustainability.

The discussion also touched upon the need for standardization in the holistic green business model and the importance of a common language and recognizable framework. The EU taxonomy and its relevance to SMEs were highlighted, with recommendations for SMEs to adapt to the taxonomy, enhancing their overall competitive position and facilitating financing for green investments.

Conclusions and recommendations included continued support for inter-municipal cooperation, utilizing successful initiatives like ECSMV, assessing the need for standardization, fostering dialogue with the financial sector, and coordinating capacity building at national and industry levels.