Community-based cultural and social centres as incubators for positive energy districts (Co-PED)

Co-PED, short for Community-based cultural and social centres as incubators for Positive Energy Districts, is an initiative designed for two years (2025-2027) rethinking how local communities produce, manage and share energy. By empowering social and cultural centres as active players in the energy transition, Co-PED is creating new models for community-led energy and financial governance, so vital in times of energy crisis and climate urgency.

The project is supported by the Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Partnership, a European collaboration of 67 partners from 28 countries. DUT works to help cities across Europe become more sustainable, inclusive and resilient tackling key urban challenges like energy efficiency, mobility and circularity.

In its 2023 open call (closed 21 November 2023), DUT received over 1,600 project ideas, which resulted in 183 full proposals competing for around EUR 200 million in funding.

Out of these, only 42 proposals were selected for funding — and Co-PED is proud to be one of them.

Co-PED falls under the "Positive Energy Districts" (PEDs) track, alongside other future-oriented themes such as the "15-minute City" and "Circular Urban Economies". The project will explore how cultural and social centres whether in urban or rural settings can serve as community hubs where people collectively shape their energy futures.

💡 In a nutshell:
Co-PED turns cultural and social centres into living labs for Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) — empowering communities to produce and use energy more responsibly, and to have a say in how it’s governed.

Co-PED main objectives

Empowering social and cultural centres

Co-PED develops decentralised, cooperative energy communities using innovative organisational and financial models. By bridging the rural-urban divide, it ensures an inclusive energy transition where cultural spaces become active contributors.

Fostering community engagement

The project promotes democratic decision-making, participation, and social inclusion, particularly for marginalised groups. By embedding energy solutions in local cultural spaces, Co-PED creates an accessible and community-led approach to sustainability.

Providing policy recommendations

Co-PED generates actionable insights for policymakers at local, national, and European levels. By working closely with municipal actors, the project supports the development of funding schemes, incentives, and policies that strengthen energy communities.

Who is involved into Co-PED project?

Co-PED brings together a diverse international consortium of social and cultural centres, research institutions, civic networks, and energy companies. Each partner contributes unique expertise to ensure holistic and impactful solutions.

The project is structured around three key pillars:

Cultural networks – Led by Trans Europe Halles (TEH), representing a vast network of independent cultural centres.
Research institutions – A coalition of public and private research bodies bringing academic expertise and innovation.
Energy sector partners – Energy companies from Innsbruck and Budapest, along with cooperation partners in Sweden and France, providing practical industry knowledge.

Municipal actors within the consortium play a crucial role in shaping energy and cultural policies. Their involvement will drive the creation and evolution of energy communities, ensuring long-term impact at local, regional, and European levels.

To achieve its goals, Co-PED will establish eight Urban Living Labs across various urban, peri-urban, and rural contexts. These labs will serve as testing grounds for collaborative, adaptable, and scalable solutions, driving sustainable change across Europe.

About the urban living labs

Ifö Center is an artist-run cultural hub in a former ceramic factory by Lake Ivö, in Bromölla, southern Sweden. Once a closed industrial site, parts of the factory are now open for guided tours, showcasing its transformation.

Through the Ifö Center Lab, the organisation is testing a circular economy model, using solar energy profits to support another cultural centre. The goal is to transform the site into an energy-positive estate, driving sustainable change.

La Friche La Belle de Mai in Marseille is a pioneering cultural and creative hub, transforming a former industrial site into a space for experimentation in governance, cultural production, and public engagement.

As part of Co-PED, the Friche La Belle de Mai Lab will develop a cooperative energy system, benefiting both the centre and the surrounding neighbourhood. The initiative is drawing interest from researchers studying sustainable energy models.

La Friche also hosts working groups and think tanks exploring topics such as social inclusion, sustainability, mobility, and digital transition. In collaboration with universities, it is preparing a three-year doctoral residency on social and urban development.

Located in Silandro, South Tyrol, BASIS is a social activation hub transforming the former Caserma Druso military barracks into a dynamic community space. It fosters regional and social development by bridging economy, culture, education, and social affairs, offering co-working spaces, workshops, and event venues.

As part of Co-PED, BASIS will test new models of citizen participation in decentralised energy production and distribution, including agro-photovoltaic solutions, to drive sustainable regional development.

Die Bäckerei is a cultural hub in Innsbruck, fostering grassroots initiatives, sociocratic governance, and accessible cultural events. Housed in a former industrial bakery, it has grown into a vibrant community space for creativity and collaboration.

As part of Co-PED, the Bäckerei Lab will set up and manage an energy community, working closely with local residents, institutions, and diverse demographic groups. This initiative will strengthen community participation in the energy transition, reinforcing Die Bäckerei’s role as a local driver of social and environmental innovation.

Bakelit is an independent cultural venue in Southeast Budapest, housed in a former industrial complex that has evolved into a multi-arts centre supporting performing and fine arts. It provides artists with rehearsal and performance spaces, studios, exhibition halls, and an artist-in-residence programme, fostering creativity and collaboration.

As part of Co-PED, the Bakelit Lab will focus on developing an energy community in the surrounding post-industrial area, which currently lacks a common vision due to fragmented ownership. Facing the challenges of the energy crisis, Bakelit is actively working towards a self-sufficient energy model, setting an example for sustainable cultural spaces.

Bartók Quarter is a cultural district in Újbuda, Budapest, bringing together cultural initiatives, creative producers, NGOs, universities, and public institutions.

As part of Co-PED, the Bartók Quarter Lab will explore energy communities as a way to strengthen connections between cultural actors and local residents. By adopting a circular approach, the initiative aims to link the solar energy potential of condominium rooftops with the organisational capacity and daytime energy needs of ground-floor spaces, creating a more sustainable and collaborative urban environment.

Hart van Zuid is a district around Rotterdam’s Zuidplein station, historically considered deprived and now undergoing a major transformation as part of a national urban regeneration programme.

As part of Co-PED, the Rotterdam Lab will investigate ways to maximise synergies by leveraging recent investments in the area and expanding the energy infrastructure to benefit neighbouring communities.

Green Kommon is a cultural energy fund based in Plaine Commune, north of Paris, dedicated to fostering regional solidarity, economic sustainability, and ecological transition for cultural venues.

Through the Green Kommon Lab, the initiative aims to support cultural spaces in becoming energy producers, strengthening collaboration between cultural actors, policymakers, scientists, and civil society to implement sustainable energy solutions.

Methodologies and approach

Info markets and exhibitions – Designed to reach rural energy communities through accessible, interactive experiences.
Targeted media campaigns – Ensuring widespread outreach via press releases, social media, and digital storytelling.
Public participation strategies – Encouraging dialogue between cultural centres, policymakers, and local communities to co-create solutions.

Project coordination – Led by Trans Europe Halles, ensuring alignment with project objectives.
Community engagement and capacity building – Strengthening local participation and inclusion.
Energy innovation and infrastructure – Developing sustainable, community-centred energy models.
Policy and governance – Creating policy recommendations to support energy communities.
Communication and dissemination – Raising awareness and sharing insights across Europe.

Members involved

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Partners

Here are the partners collaborating on the Co-PED project:

Trans Europe Halles | RISE | Ifö Center | Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences | Cooperative City | KÉK – Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Centre | Rising Eco | Bakelit Multi Art Center | Die Bäckerei – Kulturbackstube | Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe | Eutropian | BASIS Vinschgau Venosta | La Friche La Belle de Mai | La Main (Green Kommon) | Központ Kft. | KözPont | Marseille Municipality | Seine-Saint-Denis Departement | Plaine Energie Citoyenne | Brömolla Municipality | Abelto Elektroservice Kommanditbolag | Futura Energi | Den Kollektiva Hjärnan | Innsbruck Municipality | Stadmakersfonds | Gardens of the Future

Questions about Co-PED initiative?

Drop a line to Ceyda Berk-Söderblom, Senior Project Manager & Researcher, at ceyda[at]teh.net.