In its pilot phase, LIFE MERIT-OS will implement the model in Catalonia, setting up four provincial OSS offices (in Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona). Each office will have specialized technical staff providing direct and tailored support to municipalities within its province, coordinated through a common shared structure. This decentralized approach allows services to be adapted to local realities, strengthens cooperation through energy agencies and creates synergies among municipalities with similar needs.

The experience acquired in Catalonia will serve as a foundation for replicating the OSS model in other regions of Spain and across the European Union.

Ultimately, the project aims to simplify procedures, remove technical and financial barriers and build local capacity to drive the energy efficiency and decarbonisation of public buildings.

Main objectives

• Accelerate energy renovation of public buildings.
• Simplify project management and decision-making for local authorities.
• Promote NZEB and ZEB standards (Nearly Zero- or Zero-Energy Buildings).
• Facilitate access to funding, including innovative models (crowdfunding, energy savings contracts, blended finance).
• Replicate the OSS model in other regions of Spain and the EU.

Expected results:

• 293 municipalities supported (176 in Catalonia).
• 62 public buildings renovated (44 in Catalonia).
• 3.3 GWh/year of primary energy saved.
• Operational and replicable OSS model.
• Practical “How-to Guide” for replication across Europe.
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Aligned with European and national energy and climate policies

LIFE MERIT-OS is framed within the new regulatory and strategic context promoted by the European Union to accelerate the decarbonisation and energy efficiency of public buildings. The Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791 requires public administrations to reduce their final energy consumption by at least 11.7% by 2030 and to renovate annually 3% of the total floor area of their public buildings.
In parallel, the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) sets the objective that all public buildings should be zero-emission buildings (ZEBs) by 2050, and mandates Member States to develop national renovation plans that prioritise the refurbishment of the public building stock.

In Spain, these guidelines are reflected in the targets of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) 2021–2030, which envisages a 39.5% reduction in final energy consumption in the public sector and the deployment of technical assistance instruments and One-stop shops to support local authorities in planning and implementing energy efficiency projects. The PNIEC also promotes the use of innovative financing mechanisms—such as energy performance contracts, EU funds or citizen financing—and underscores the exemplary role of the public sector as a driver of the energy transition.

Within this framework, LIFE MERIT-OS provides a practical, forward-looking response to European and national requirements by creating a One-Stop-Shop model that offers technical, administrative and financial support to municipalities. Through this approach, municipalities will be able to meet the european and national objectives on efficiency and decarbonisation, strengthen local capacities and lead the transition towards a more sustainable, efficient and resilient public building stock.

The partners

Life-MERITOS is coordinated by Fundació Europace (FEP) working together with Institut Català d’Energia (ICAEN), the crowdlending platform ECROWD! and the Association of Spanish Agencies for Energy Management (ENERAGEN). socios

Duration

september 2025 – august 2028 (36 months)