Online learning course

In this module, you’ll explore how EU energy policies connect to real-world action at national, regional and local level. Through short lessons, case examples and expert insights, you’ll see how behavioural approaches help translate EU objectives into initiatives that people can relate to and engage with.

This module sets the foundation for the rest of the course and prepares you to think about how policy, behaviour and local context interact in practice.

What you’ll learn in Module 1

• Understand how EU energy policies support behaviour change
• Recognise how EU directives link to local action
• Explore practical examples from national and local initiatives

As you start this module, think about how EU policy currently influences your own work.

Link to module 1

In this module, you’ll explore how behavioural insights can be translated into practical interventions that influence everyday energy-related decisions. You’ll discover why information alone is often not enough, and how tools such as nudges, prompts, feedback and commitment strategies help bridge the gap between intention and action. Through expert insights and real-world examples, this module will help you understand how behavioural approaches can be designed, combined and adapted to local and regional contexts.

What you will learn:

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Understand why behavioural science is essential for influencing energy-related decisions.
• Recognise and differentiate key behavioural intervention types, such as nudges, prompts, feedback and commitment strategies.
• Apply behavioural insights to design or adapt energy initiatives in local and regional contexts.

As you start this module, think about a situation where people know what they should do to save energy, but do not always act on it. What do you think is preventing change in that case?

Link to module 2

In this module, you’ll explore why collaboration and partnerships are essential for achieving lasting energy behaviour change. You will examine how working with a wide range of stakeholders — from local authorities and energy agencies to community organisations and citizens — helps turn behavioural insights into action.

Through expert perspectives and real-life case studies, you will discover how collaborative governance, trust-building, and shared ownership can strengthen energy efficiency initiatives and support long-term engagement. The module highlights how collaboration is not only about coordination, but also about creating the conditions in which people are willing and able to change their behaviour.

What you will learn:

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Explain why collaboration and partnerships are critical for successful energy behaviour initiatives.
• Identify key stakeholders involved in behavioural change projects and understand their roles and influence.
• Design a basic stakeholder map showing responsibilities, contributions, and levels of influence.
• Propose engagement methods that foster trust, co-ownership, and long-term collaboration in local and regional contexts.

Link to module 3

In this module, you’ll explore how storytelling and advocacy can support energy-efficient behaviours by shaping meaning, trust, and engagement. You will examine why facts and technical information alone are often not enough, and how well-crafted narratives help connect energy efficiency to people’s everyday experiences, values, and motivations.

Through expert insights and practical examples, you will learn how storytelling can be used as a strategic tool — from framing messages and choosing relatable characters, to using positive and empowering narratives. The module also invites you to critically reflect on advocacy messages, helping you assess whether they are clear, resonant, and persuasive for different audiences.

What you will learn

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the role of storytelling and advocacy in promoting energy-efficient behaviours.
• Develop a clear and compelling narrative tailored to a specific audience and context.
• Apply basic storytelling techniques, such as framing, relatable characters, and positive messaging, to an energy efficiency case.
• Critically assess advocacy messages for clarity, resonance, and persuasiveness.

Link to module 4

In this module, you will explore how behaviour change can support energy efficiency across different sectors, including households, transport and the public sector. While many behavioural principles are universal, the challenges, motivations and opportunities for change vary depending on the context.

Through expert perspectives and real-life case studies, you'll examine how behavioural drivers and barriers influence energy-related decisions across sectors. You'll also discover how tailored interventions can address sector-specific challenges and how cross-sector approaches can deliver wider benefits for citizens, organisations and communities.

This module highlights the importance of understanding context when designing behaviour change initiatives and demonstrates how lessons learned in one sector can inspire action in another.

What you will learn

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Recognise the main behavioural challenges and opportunities across different sectors.
• Compare the behavioural drivers and barriers that influence energy-related decisions in different contexts. 
• Identify behavioural approaches that can be adapted across sectors to achieve energy savings and wider social benefits.

Link to module 5

Many energy efficiency initiatives achieve short-term results, but sustaining change over time requires more than information, technology, or financial incentives. Lasting transformation happens when energy-efficient behaviours become part of everyday life—supported by shared values, social norms, community engagement and a sense of collective purpose.

In this module, you will explore how cultural change supports long-term energy-efficient behaviour. You will examine how community ownership, social norms and peer influence help people adopt and maintain more sustainable lifestyles over time.

Through expert perspectives and real-life case studies, you will discover how communities can create lasting behavioural change by encouraging participation, building commitment and making energy-efficient choices part of the local culture. The module highlights how individual actions become more durable when they are reinforced by the people, organisations and communities around us.

What you will learn

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Explain the concept of cultural change and its role in sustaining energy-efficient behaviours over time.
• Identify strategies that build community ownership and long-term commitment to energy efficiency initiatives.
• Assess how social norms and peer influence can support lasting behavioural change.
• Describe how behavioural energy reduction contributes to sustaining energy-efficient lifestyles and community-led change.

Link to module 6

Designing an effective behavioural intervention is an important first step, but creating lasting change also depends on how well it is implemented. Turning ideas into action requires careful planning, clear roles and responsibilities, and the ability to respond to challenges that arise during implementation.

In this module, you will explore the key stages involved in implementing behavioural interventions for energy efficiency. You will become familiar with practical project management tools that support implementation, examine common challenges that can affect delivery, and discover how local and regional authorities can successfully translate behavioural ideas into practical actions.

Through expert insights and a real-life case study, you will learn how structured planning, collaboration and adaptive implementation can help turn behavioural interventions into effective initiatives that encourage energy-efficient behaviours and contribute to lasting change.

What you will learn

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the key steps involved in moving a behavioural intervention from design to implementation. 
• Identify practical project management tools that can support the planning and delivery of behavioural interventions. 
• Recognise common implementation challenges and describe strategies that can help address them.

Link to module 7

Implementing a behavioural intervention is not the end of the journey. To understand whether an initiative is making a real difference, local and regional authorities need to measure its impact, learn from the results and demonstrate the value it creates. Evidence of success not only helps improve future interventions but also builds confidence among decision-makers, funders and communities, creating opportunities to sustain and expand successful initiatives.

This module introduces practical approaches to measuring the impact of behavioural interventions for energy efficiency. You will explore how to select appropriate indicators and measurement methods, interpret and communicate results, and understand how evidence can support future investment and long-term planning. The module also provides an overview of financing approaches that can help sustain and scale successful initiatives.

What will you learn

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Explain why measuring impact is essential for improving, sustaining and scaling behavioural interventions. 
• Select appropriate indicators and methods to measure behavioural change and project outcomes. 
• Explain how evidence of impact can be used to demonstrate the value of behavioural initiatives and support decision-making. 
• Describe the role of financing in helping to sustain and scale successful behavioural initiatives.

Link to module 8