ManagEnergy Expert Mission #15: Laying the Foundations for Budapest’s Energy Transition

From 7–9 April 2025, the Budapest Climate Agency hosted ManagEnergy Expert Mission #15, welcoming guidance and expertise from Seamus Hoyne, Coordinator of the ManagEnergy Initiative. Over three days, the mission focused on strengthening the agency’s strategic, operational, and technical foundations to match the city’s ambitious climate goals.

“Being selected to be one of only 28 Agencies to host an Expert Mission is a major recognition for us. We have ambitious plans and the insights provided through this Expert Mission have helped us to plot a way forward. Knowing that we are part of a family of over 350 Agencies across Europe is important and our team will continue to work hard to deliver on Budapest’s ambitious climate targets.”
— Ada Ámon, Executive Director, Budapest Climate Agency

Setting up for Success

Established by the City of Budapest in 2024, the Budapest Climate Agency is one of Europe’s newest energy agencies. As Budapest is one of the 112 Mission Cities paving the way to climate neutrality by 2030, the agency plays a central role in developing investment programmes, public services, and partnerships to drive local decarbonisation.

Despite being in its early stages, the agency has already built a multidisciplinary team of technical experts, programme managers, communicators, and administrators. The Expert Mission explored key challenges in establishing and developing a new Energy Agency, supporting the team in navigating structural and political barriers and mapping out a strategy to scale up its impact.

Focus on Deep Renovation and One Stop Shops

At the heart of the mission was the agency’s multi-million euro investment programme for the deep renovation of multi-family homes. Designed to deliver major CO₂ reductions and improve quality of life, this flagship initiative represents a major step toward climate neutrality. Drawing on best practices from across Europe, the mission examined funding mechanisms, rollout strategies, and operational models to ensure the programme is both ambitious and achievable.

Another key topic was the creation of a One Stop Shop (OSS). Through collaborative sessions, the Budapest team explored different OSS structures, staffing needs, and the technical scope of such a service, laying the groundwork for future implementation.

Looking Ahead: Solid Fuel Replacement and More

The mission also addressed the agency’s early-stage plans to replace solid fuel heaters in single-family homes—a move expected to deliver both environmental and health benefits. While national funding details are still pending, concept development is underway with support from the Expert Mission.

“I am leaving beautiful Budapest feeling very confident in the abilities of the Budapesti Klímaügynökség team to deliver on its ambitions and to drive the climate and energy transition in the city. Evidence from across Europe confirms that regions that have energy agencies as independent, agile and driven are delivering on European, National and Regional climate and energy goals.”
— Seamus Hoyne, ManagEnergy Expert, Dean of Flexible and Workplace Learning at the Technological University of the Shannon and Chair of the Tipperary Energy Agency

A Promising Future

With fresh strategic insights, stronger connections to the wider ManagEnergy network, and an empowered team, the Budapest Climate Agency is well on its way to becoming a key player in Hungary’s energy transition. Continued municipal support and funding will be critical, but the foundations are now solidly in place.

Find out more about ManagEnergy Expert Missions