Leuven 2030 is once again exploring opportunities within the European Investment Bank’s  (EIB) ELENA programme. After an earlier pre-qualification application for ‘ELENA 2.0’ was unsuccessful, a new avenue is now being investigated, one that focuses specifically on residential buildings and how they are heated and renovated.

The focus is shifting away from traditional district heating networks towards a broader approach to energy renovation. Think insulation, new windows and doors, heat pumps and solar panels. To qualify, however, the proposed measures must deliver at least a 30% reduction in energy consumption.

What exactly is ELENA?

The ELENA programme does not directly fund renovation works themselves. Instead, it supports the preparatory studies that make large-scale investments possible.

This can include architectural and engineering studies, energy audits, technical assessments and project support. Up to 90% of these implementation-oriented study costs can be covered through the programme.

To be eligible, projects must be bundled into a portfolio with a total investment volume of at least €30 million. There is also a strict timeline: contracts and procurement procedures must be completed within three years.

A major challenge for apartment buildings

On paper, ELENA offers a powerful lever for accelerating large-scale renovation. In practice, however, the process is particularly challenging for apartment buildings managed through homeowners’ associations.

Major renovation decisions often require lengthy preparation, technical assessments and approval at general assemblies. As a result, meeting the programme’s demanding timeline, technical requirements and investment thresholds can be difficult.

This is precisely why Leuven 2030 is now investigating whether a more collective approach could provide a solution.

Towards a one-stop shop for homeowners’ associations?

One of the options currently being explored is the creation of a structured renovation programme for property managers and homeowners’ associations.

Buildings that choose to participate would receive support through a one-stop-shop model, with clear conditions, guidance and assistance throughout the entire renovation journey.

Such an approach could make it possible to bundle multiple suitable buildings into a single ELENA application while maintaining enough momentum to move swiftly from planning to implementation.

Leuven 2030 is also examining whether existing framework agreements between the City of Leuven and specialised consultancy firms could be used. This could simplify administrative procedures and make scaling up much easier.

A cautious but promising exercise

Whether the new proposal will ultimately receive approval from the European Investment Bank remains uncertain. Much will depend on the willingness of partners, property managers and homeowners’ associations to engage in the process and help build a sufficiently strong project portfolio.

Even so, the exercise highlights something important: the search for scalable solutions to collective renovation is far from over.

And that matters. Apartment buildings represent a significant share of Leuven’s housing stock. If we want to make homes more comfortable, reduce energy use, stabilise energy costs and prepare neighbourhoods for the future, collective renovation will have to play a major role.

ELENA may come with strict conditions, but it also offers something valuable: the opportunity to turn ambition into implementation at scale. For Leuven’s apartment buildings, that could prove to be a powerful catalyst for the next wave of renovation.

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