AEELA Program. Energy Saving Accelerator for the Housing of the low income farmers
About this good practice
The AEELA programme is aimed at a particular public exposed to the problems of energy comfort in mainly low income farmers housing in a situation of fuel poverty, as shown by the figures of the National Observatory of Energy Insecurity and is based on a previous experimental project carried out on the theme of the fight against housing insecurity. This programme supports to help them cope with their situation within 2 years.
The main assets of the project are:
- The role of a trusted third party, played by the Mutualité Social Agricole (MSA), which knows well the farmers and is used to supporting them in their social approaches,
- SOLIHA's dual social and energy expertise,
- Empowerment of farmers through the self-rehabilitation component, particularly suitable for this audience,
- The program is financed by Energy Saving Certificates, therefore without public money.
AEELA encourages energy savings for farmers' housing by using 3 levers: a massive communication campaign and local events (territorial animations), efficient technical support and an innovative diagnostic approach and accompanied by an offer of self-rehabilitation.
A territorial analysis is carried out on the vulnerability of populations to target the most relevant territories. Then, a questionnaire was sent out to the farmers, some of them thanks to territorial animations. After answering the questionnaire they receive a diagnosis of their home and engage in accompanied self-rehabilitation support.
Resources needed
The program’s cost is €2.5 million, covered by an "obligated actor" through the energy saving certificates scheme.
It allows the recruitment of 6 territorial facilitators and 7 local facilitators on accompanied self-rehabilitation.
Evidence of success
The results are so far:
- More than 500 animations (communication campaign).
- 20,000 questionnaires were sent to targeted farmers.
- Around 500 families received a diagnosis of their home and 120 of them engaged in accompanied self-rehabilitation support.
- 1,300 farmers were supported by a team of experts in energy-saving works.
Potential for learning or transfer
AEELA is particularly well designed precisely because it is not sector specific but a special target. The MSA is not an actor in the energy transition but is a social partner for farmers in whom they have confidence. Other countries can learn from this program by identifying institutions that can act as "trusted third parties".
Secondly, the choice to offer these particularly vulnerable targets, who are often producers of renewable energy resources (biomass), support for self-rehabilitation will make it possible to reduce the "remaining costs" and thus favour equipment that allows the resources produced to be used.
Finally, SOLIHA, which carries out the diagnostics, is also the operator of the funds entrusted by the ANAH (National Housing Agency) to combat fuel poverty. Where appropriate, they will therefore be able to articulate these programs to combat fuel poverty, optimized to help households reduce their vulnerability.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Mutualité Sociale Agricole (M.S.A.)