Community Energy Financing Schemes (CEFS) - the key for community energy

Simply put, Community Energy Financing Schemes (CEFS) are funding programmes that finance community energy projects.

These schemes aim to reduce financing barriers for energy communities. The community of practice in the ACCE project delivered key understandings for overcoming these barriers. Indeed CEFS have the power of create a level-playing field for energy communities in they access to financing. Our key results show that:

  • tailored financing instruments could be carved to every maturity of energy community financing needs,
  • to deliver effective financing solutions, CEFS must be operated by «close to the field» actors who have a deep understanding of energy communities,
  • these actors have proven successful collaboration with managing authorities, creating public-funded and as well as private-funded CEFS.

Interested in setting up a new Community Energy Financing Scheme (CEFS)? Then head straight to our Toolbox to access the best resources tailored to your needs.

Leading Examples

Realisatiefonds - The Netherlands

The Realisatiefonds was established at the end of 2021 to support energy cooperatives in the Netherlands during the construction phase of their large-scale renewable energy projects.

  • Fund Purpose: The Realisation Fund provides loans to energy cooperatives working on large-scale photovoltaic (PV) projects.
  • Loan Details: The loans range from €30,000 to €1 million and can cover up to 75% of the total realisation costs of the project.
  • Fund Management: The fund is managed by Energie Samen, a partner of the ACCE project.

Funding Sources:
The loans are funded by three ethical and cooperative banks, which provide the capital for the loans.

Application Process:

  • A fund manager guides the energy cooperatives through the application process.
  • Once the financial dossier is complete, it is submitted to the fund controller, who will provide a loan quote within five days.
  • After accepting the loan offer, the energy cooperative receives the funds in the form of a construction deposit.
  • The cooperative submits invoices to the fund controller, who processes payments from the deposit.

"The Realisation Fund is simply the easiest way to get debt financing for small scale community owned energy projects in the Netherlands"

– Wilfred Hofmans, treasurer of energy community ‘Energiecoöperatie Wattnu Gooise Meren’


Energie Partagée Investissement - France

Energie Partagée Investissement (EPI) is a fund dedicated to financing the construction phases of citizen energy projects in France.

  • Fund Purpose: EPI focuses on financing the construction of renewable energy projects led by citizens.
  • Investment Details: The fund collects savings from citizens and invests them as equity in renewable energy project companies, strengthening the project and facilitating bank financing.
  • Fund Management: The fund is managed by the Energie Partagée Association, which raises awareness and connects project leaders across France.

Funding Sources:
The fund is financed through citizen savings, which are then invested as equity in various renewable energy projects across the country.

Application Process:

  • EPI works with citizen collectives, local authorities, and private companies to bring together various stakeholders for a wide range of projects.
  • Since 2010, EPI has invested €27.7 million in over 100 projects, including solar, wind, hydroelectricity, biomass, and heating.