Train-the-trainer: develop your expertise
The Energy Behaviour Forum Train-the-Trainer programme was designed to strengthen the capacity of behavioural experts, competence centres and public authorities to understand, apply and disseminate behavioural approaches that support energy-efficient behaviour. Through a series of three workshops, participants progressively build their knowledge of behavioural science, learn how to apply behavioural approaches in practice, and develop the skills needed to evaluate and improve behavioural interventions over time.
Two train-the-trainer modules have already taken place, in December 2025 and May 2026.
The final module is planned for October 15, 2026, learn more and register!
Contact us to improve your expertise: ENER-BEHAVIOUR-FORUM@ec.europa.eu.
Workshop 1: Influencing Motivation to Change Behaviour
Paris, France – 10 December 2025
The first Train-the-Trainer workshop was held in Paris on the day preceding the BEHAVE Conference and focused on the role of motivation in driving energy-efficient behaviour. Participants explored the latest findings from behavioural science, including the influence of life transitions, perceptions, communication and habits on energy consumption. Through presentations from researchers and practitioners, the workshop showcased practical examples from across Europe, including one-stop shops, social housing initiatives, sustainable mobility programmes and community-led approaches. The afternoon session enabled participants to work collaboratively on real challenges faced by local and regional authorities, applying behavioural insights to develop practical solutions and exchange experiences with peers.
The agenda:
- Keynote address - From Insights to Action: Building Capacity to Inspire Behavioural Change: Andrea Blasco, Policy Analyst, JRC - Joint Research Centre Competence Centre for Behavioural Insights (CCBI)
- Session 1: Influencing Motivation to Change Behaviour - Latest Findings - Discussion facilitated by Andrea Blasco (JRC) and Ian Turner (Energy Cities)
- Presentation: The role of life transitions, perception, and communication in habitual energy consumption: Kaloyan Mitev, Behavioural scientist, JRC – CCBI
- Presentation: Techniques and strategies to motivate and shape behaviours (best practices & examples i.e. EU1.5 lifestyles):
Halliki Kreinin, Tallinn University - Local and regional examples of energy efficiency
- En toute simplicité - Lisa Croyère, Local Energy and Climate Agency of South Brittany (ALOEN)
- FEEL GOOD one stop shop – Michela Fossa, IRE-Liguria Region
- Free bicycle check-up - Steen Heftholm, City of Frederikshavn
- Collective intelligence workshop: Designing Strategies for Energy Efficiency and Behavioural Change using examples
- To restore historic buildings using local materials and community-led, low-tech methods — City of Bistrița
- To reduce car dependence by promoting climate-friendly mobility choices — City of Overkalix
- To create new financing models — Valencia
- To improve energy efficiency and participation in social housing — City of Cork
- Closing Remarks – Scaling Behavioural Change for Local Action
Workshop 2: Applying Behavioural Insights to Building Renovation and Clean Energy Transitions
Vilnius, Lithuania – 27 May 2026
The second Train-the-Trainer workshop took place in Vilnius as part of the SPARKLE Summer School on Fossil-free Districts and Buildings. Bringing together participants from across Europe, the workshop focused on how behavioural insights can support citizen engagement, building renovation and local energy transition initiatives.
Participants explored practical experiences from Vilnius' One-Stop Shop for home renovation, “Atnaujinkime miestą”, as well as community-led approaches from Ireland and other European initiatives. Expert contributions introduced the behavioural foundations behind renovation decisions, highlighting how cognitive overload, uncertainty, present bias, trust and social influence affect participation in energy efficiency programmes. Practical examples demonstrated how behavioural approaches can be used to simplify participation, strengthen engagement and encourage action.
The core of the workshop was a collaborative training session in which participants worked in groups to respond to real-world challenges linked to collective renovation, energy communities and the role of regional energy agencies. Through peer learning and facilitated discussion, participants explored how behavioural insights can be translated into practical actions and training activities that can be adapted and replicated in different local contexts. The day concluded with a study visit to renovation and decarbonisation projects in Vilnius, providing an opportunity to connect behavioural approaches with real-world implementation.
The agenda:
Behavioural change foundations
Guillermo Borragán Pedraz, VITO Energy Ville
Kerstin Schilcher, Austrian Energy Agency
Citizen Engagement and Behavioural Approaches for Clean Energy Transition - Practical examples
Ian Turner, Energy Cities
Guillermo Borragán Pedraz, VITO Energy Ville
Kerstin Schilcher, Austrian Energy Agency
Valentina Alberti, EU Covenant of Mayors
Workshop 3: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for Behaviour Change
Online – 15.10.2026, 10:30 - 11:45 CET
Registration is now open! Register before 13 October, 2026.
The third and final Train-the-Trainer workshop will focus on monitoring, evaluation and learning, helping participants assess whether behavioural interventions are achieving their intended outcomes and how programmes can be improved over time. Building on the foundations established in the first two workshops, participants will explore practical approaches to measuring behavioural change, selecting appropriate indicators, collecting meaningful data and interpreting results with the guidance from Mariagiovanna Gaglione of ENEA, Italy.
A key contribution will be provided by Lea Gynther from Motiva, Finland, who will present the experience of monitoring and evaluating the nationally recognised “Down a Degree” energy-saving campaign. The session will explore how Finland measured the reach and effectiveness of the campaign, assessed behavioural responses, and communicated results to policymakers and the public. Participants will gain practical insights into monitoring large-scale behavioural initiatives and using evidence to refine future interventions.
The workshop will also examine how monitoring and evaluation can support continuous improvement, strengthen accountability, demonstrate impact to funders and decision-makers, and contribute to the long-term sustainability and replication of successful energy-efficiency initiatives. Particular attention will be given to designing evaluation frameworks that are realistic for local and regional authorities and can be integrated into everyday programme delivery.
Participants will leave with a better understanding of how to move beyond activity monitoring towards measuring behavioural outcomes and impact, as well as practical tools that can be shared with local, regional and national actors through their own training and advisory activities.