ManagEnergy Master Class 10: Turning One-Stop Shops into bankable, trusted renovation solutions

One-Stop Shops (OSS) are now widely recognised as a key delivery mechanism for scaling up building renovation across Europe. The challenge has shifted: how to design OSS that are credible, financially viable, and adapted to diverse local realities.

This question was at the heart of ManagEnergy Master Class 10, the third edition dedicated to OSS, which brought together 26 participants from local/regional energy agencies, municipalities and regions. Delivered in a blended format combining online sessions and face-to-face training in Brussels, the Master Class supported participants in moving from concept to concrete, operational OSS models.

From residential retrofit to more diverse OSS models

While earlier editions focused mainly on residential renovation, this Master Class reflected the growing diversity of OSS approaches across Europe. Participants explored models targeting not only private homeowners, but also energy communities, apartment buildings, non-residential buildings, SMEs and vulnerable households.

This evolution mirrors developments at EU level. In a policy update, Thibault Roy (DG ENER - European Commission) highlighted the role OSS are expected to play under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and upcoming national building renovation plans, including the provision of tailored services for vulnerable households.

Testing OSS business models in practice

As with all ManagEnergy Master Classes, Master Class 10 combined expert input with hands-on group work and individual assignments, allowing participants to directly apply the learning content to their own regional and organisational contexts.

Between the first and second sessions, participants were challenged to develop and present a business model canvas for their OSS. This exercise pushed them to articulate clear value propositions, identify customer segments — from homeowners’ associations to local authorities — and reflect on credibility, trust and long-term sustainability.

Looking at OSS “through the eyes of the customer” proved particularly valuable, as many participants recognised the importance of trustworthiness, interpersonal skills and on-the-ground presence, alongside technical expertise.

Financing, risk and long-term sustainability

Across discussions, one question kept resurfacing: where will the money come from?
Addressing upfront investment costs, combining funding sources and planning beyond EU grants were central themes throughout the Master Class.

The training was led by Seamus Hoyne, ManagEnergy Coordinator and Dean at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), alongside contributions from CINEA, DG ENER and external experts. Participants explored different OSS structures — public, private and joint ventures, with or without financing — and discussed risk management strategies, including financing options such as the European Investment Bank's ELENA Facility.

A series of case studies illustrated how these challenges are being addressed in practice, showcasing a wide range of OSS models across Europe — from home energy renovation and apartment buildings to large-scale, aggregated approaches and initiatives targeting vulnerable households. Together, these examples highlighted the importance of adapting OSS design, financing and operations to local conditions.

Shared challenges, shared solutions

Despite very different national and regional contexts, participants repeatedly highlighted how similar their challenges were — from financing and governance to trust-building and stakeholder coordination.

As one participant from Sweden, Lidia Salame, noted, the Master Class was “very useful, because we see that we all have the same challenges.” This was echoed by Seamus Hoyne, who underlined that “while the conditions may be different in each country, the problems and solutions are often similar.”

Making change happen on the ground

Master Class 10 confirmed that there is no one-size-fits-all OSS model. Successful One-Stop Shops must be tailored to local markets, policy frameworks and stakeholders — but they also require robust planning tools, realistic financing strategies and a strong focus on trust and service quality.

As one takeaway resonated throughout the sessions:

“Despite all challenges, developing an OSS remains an exciting challenge because you are making concrete change happen.”
— Seamus Hoyne

Through this Master Class, ManagEnergy continues to support local and regional actors in turning OSS from policy concepts into bankable, trusted solutions that accelerate renovation on the ground.

Interested in joining our next Classes? Check out the schedule here