This award, announced by the European Commission, aims to highlight the value of pioneering European communities in new ways of organizing and governing their collective energy future. It is a tribute to the two energy communities that have developed models of creative, even effective governance. These can include our participatory decision-making processes, equitable benefit sharing mechanisms or innovative collaborations between citizens, local authorities and local businesses.



This initiative celebrates pioneering approaches that guarantee fair participation, transparency and collaboration — helping to build resilient energy systems and drive citizens towards the sustainable future of Europe.



In order to reward the innovative governance structures of the Energy Communities and the management of renewable energy activities. The award aims to inspire other Energy Communities to improve their six operations and implementation activities and to promote social innovation to contribute to tackling climate change.



Eligible energy communities will be legal entities of different types: associations, cooperatives, companies or organizations without profit or limited liability company. Only energy communities with up to 10,000 members will be eligible.



Legal entities constituted as cross-border communities may also apply for this award.



The prize budget is 1 million euros (€1,000,000), which will be awarded to the two guanyadors as follows:



1st: €350,000

2n: €200,000

3rd: €100,000

4th to 10th: €50,000



The prize will be launched on 10 December 2025 at the Citizens Energy Advisory Hub event.



20 January 2026: Opening of the contest

25 June 2026: Deadline for submission

June-November 2026 : Evaluation phase

November - December 2026: Announcement of results (tentative)





Related Link:

https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/prizes/prize-governance-innovations-energy-communities_en



Workshop

https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/Prize



Workshop Description:

Are you preparing an application for the Horizon Europe Prize on Governance Innovations in Energy Communities (HORIZON-CL5-2026-2-PRIZE)? Do you want to know better the award criteria and learn how to craft a successful, high-scoring application? Join our interactive online workshop to ask questions on the prize directly to the European Commission.