European project SOCIAREM makes its debut at Transfiere 2026 to promote citizen-centred energy transition
Brussels, 3 March 2026. The SOCIAREM project participated in the Transfiere 2026 forum, one of the main European events dedicated to science, technology and innovation. The forum took place from Tuesday 24th to Thursday 26th February in Málaga, Spain, and brought together researchers, companies, public institutions and innovation ecosystem stakeholders. The main objective of the event was to promote knowledge transfer, innovation and collaboration between the public and private sectors. In this context, the Finnova Foundation presented the SOCIAREM project during the event. The project was represented by Blanca Asencio Fernández, EU project assistant at Finnova, and Juan Manuel Revuelta Pérez, CEO of the foundation. SOCIAREM: People-centred energy transition In Europe, social, regulatory and technical barriers still limit the development of solar energy communities and make it difficult for citizens to actively participate in the transition towards a more sustainable energy system. SOCIAREM works to reduce these barriers through the use of digital tools, innovative governance models and new social engagement mechanisms. During the forum, the project team explained how these solutions can facilitate the deployment of solar energy communities and help accelerate the energy transition at local level, while sharing knowledge with other stakeholders from the European innovation ecosystem. Social and technological innovation for the future of energy The participation of SOCIAREM in Transfiere 2026 reinforces the role of innovation as a driver of change in the European energy sector. The project demonstrates how social and technological innovation can contribute to building a more inclusive, sustainable and participatory energy system. By fostering collaboration between research, industry and citizens, SOCIAREM supports the development of the energy transition in Europe. About SOCIAREM Running from October 2025 to March 2029, SOCIAREM is a 42-month Horizon Europe project with a total budget of €5,572,687.50, co-funded by the European Union, together with the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The consortium is coordinated byComillas Pontifical University (Spain), leading the project’s energy and social research, PV optimisation tools, and serious game development. The partnership gathers 15 organisations with complementary expertise: SMEs such as AKUYARI (Spain) and8D-Games (Netherlands) contribute innovation in user engagement and gamification; research centres including R&D Nester (Centro de Investigaçao em Energia Ren), Watt-IS andCEVE (Cooperativa Eléctrica do Cale d’Este, Portugal) bring strong technical know-how in renewable energy and P2P exchange; while Phoebe Research & Innovation Ltd (Cyprus) and EMPA (Switzerland) advance monitoring, optimisation, and planning tools for PV adoption. Academic partners such as the University of Cyprus, the University of Deusto (Spain), and the University of Aswan (Egypt) contribute leading research in smart energy systems, social sciences, and network planning. Civil society and community actors like FMES (Fondazione dele Comunità del Mediterraneo Sostenibili e Solidali per l’Inclusione e l’Accoglienza – Ente Filantropico) and Sinloc (Italy) ensure close collaboration with local energy communities, while Finnova Foundation (Belgium) drives communication and dissemination, and Zabala Innovation Consulting (Spain) manages exploitation and innovation. Together, this diverse consortium combines research excellence, technological innovation, and strong outreach capacity to maximise the project’s impact.
SOCIAREM to Present Citizen-Driven Solar Innovation at Transfiere 2026
Madrid, 11 February 2026. The European project SOCIAREM (Solar Open Community Instruments for All Residents in Europe and the Mediterranean) will participate in Transfiere 2026 – European Forum for Science, Technology and Innovation, taking place from 24 to 26 February 2026 at FYCMA Málaga, with a dedicated exhibition stand (Stand A3). The project’s presence at one of Europe’s leading knowledge transfer events underlines its commitment to accelerating the clean energy transition through innovation, collaboration and citizen empowerment. Co-funded under the Horizon Europe programme, in collaboration with the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Education (SERI), with a budget of €5,57M and a duration of 42 months, SOCIAREM addresses one of the key challenges of Europe’s energy transition: how to ensure that solar energy and renewable energy communities become accessible, inclusive and scalable across diverse territories. While photovoltaic technologies are increasingly mature, significant social, regulatory, financial and administrative barriers continue to slow down widespread adoption. SOCIAREM responds to these challenges by developing open and citizen-centred tools that facilitate the planning, management and optimisation of solar installations and community energy models. The project aims to transform the renewable energy landscape by empowering citizens, municipalities and local stakeholders to actively participate in solar energy production and sharing. By combining digital innovation with social engagement strategies, SOCIAREM contributes to tackling energy poverty, simplifying regulatory complexity and strengthening community-based governance models. Its approach supports Europe’s decarbonisation objectives while ensuring that the transition remains socially inclusive and economically viable. SOCIAREM at TRANSFIERE 2026 Participation in Transfiere 2026 offers a valuable opportunity for stakeholders across research, industry and public administration to explore how citizen-driven solar innovation can contribute to Europe’s energy transition. As one of Europe’s leading forums for science, technology and knowledge transfer, Transfiere brings together key actors shaping innovation and sustainable development. SOCIAREM invites researchers, policymakers, technology providers, municipalities, investors and innovation intermediaries to visit its stand (A3) during the forum. The project team will share insights into its approach to addressing regulatory, social and technical barriers to renewable energy communities, and discuss how these solutions can support local and regional energy initiatives. The forum provides an open space for dialogue, exchange of experiences and the exploration of potential synergies that can contribute to advancing inclusive and community-based solar energy deployment across Europe. About SOCIAREM Running from October 2025 to March 2029, SOCIAREM is a 42-month Horizon Europe project with a total budget of €5,572,687.50, co-funded by the European Union, together with the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The consortium is coordinated byComillas Pontifical University (Spain), leading the project’s energy and social research, PV optimisation tools, and serious game development. The partnership gathers 15 organisations with complementary expertise: SMEs such as AKUYARI (Spain) and8D-Games (Netherlands) contribute innovation in user engagement and gamification; research centres including R&D Nester (Centro de Investigaçao em Energia Ren), Watt-IS andCEVE (Cooperativa Eléctrica do Cale d’Este, Portugal) bring strong technical know-how in renewable energy and P2P exchange; while Phoebe Research & Innovation Ltd (Cyprus) and EMPA (Switzerland) advance monitoring, optimisation, and planning tools for PV adoption. Academic partners such as the University of Cyprus, the University of Deusto (Spain), and the University of Aswan (Egypt) contribute leading research in smart energy systems, social sciences, and network planning. Civil society and community actors like FMES (Fondazione dele Comunità del Mediterraneo Sostenibili e Solidali per l’Inclusione e l’Accoglienza – Ente Filantropico) and Sinloc (Italy) ensure close collaboration with local energy communities, while Finnova Foundation (Belgium) drives communication and dissemination, and Zabala Innovation Consulting (Spain) manages exploitation and innovation. Together, this diverse consortium combines research excellence, technological innovation, and strong outreach capacity to maximise the project’s impac
Successful kick-off meeting marks the official launch of SOCIAREM to drive Europe’s solar transition
Madrid, 7 October 2025. The European project SOCIAREM officially launched with a successful kick-off meeting on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 October 2025, hosted at the Institute for Research in Technology of Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid. The event brought together representatives from the project’s 15 partners, marking the start of a 42-month collaboration to promote citizen participation and innovative solutions to accelerate renewable energy adoption across Europe. Over the course of two days, each Work Package leader presented their objectives and vision for the coming months, defining key project milestones for the project’s first phase. The consortium coordinated a joint roadmap and communication plan to ensure effective collaboration among partners. The meeting also allowed for interactive sessions that provided a space for participants to exchange ideas and clarify responsibilities, ensuring that all partners are fully equipped to move forward with a shared understanding of SOCIAREM’s mission. SOCIAREM aims to empower citizens and communities to take an active role in the energy transition. The project will develop digital tools and open-source models to make the adoption of photovoltaic systems easier and more inclusive. Through innovation and collaboration with policymakers and citizens, SOCIAREM seeks to overcome the barriers that limit the growth of renewable energy communities. On the second day, Finnova Foundation presented its work within Work Package 6, focused on dissemination, exploitation and communication. Adrian Noheda, Project Manager, and Rocío Armada, Communication Manager for the SOCIAREM project, outlined the strategy to ensure SOCIAREM’s through coordinated outreach actions across Europe. To stay up to date with the project’s progress and upcoming activities, SOCIAREM is now active on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram, where it will share milestones, results and opportunities for engagement, The official SOCIAREM website will launch in the coming weeks, serving as a central hub for updates and resources. About SOCIAREM Running from October 2025 to March 2029, SOCIAREM is a 42-month Horizon Europe project with a total budget of €5,572,687.50, co-funded by the European Union, together with the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The consortium is coordinated byComillas Pontifical University (Spain), leading the project’s energy and social research, PV optimisation tools, and serious game development. The partnership gathers 15 organisations with complementary expertise: SMEs such as AKUYARI (Spain) and8D-Games (Netherlands) contribute innovation in user engagement and gamification; research centres including R&D Nester (Centro de Investigaçao em Energia Ren), Watt-IS andCEVE (Cooperativa Eléctrica do Cale d’Este, Portugal) bring strong technical know-how in renewable energy and P2P exchange; while Phoebe Research & Innovation Ltd (Cyprus) and EMPA (Switzerland) advance monitoring, optimisation, and planning tools for PV adoption. Academic partners such as the University of Cyprus, the University of Deusto (Spain), and the University of Aswan (Egypt) contribute leading research in smart energy systems, social sciences, and network planning. Civil society and community actors like FMES (Fondazione dele Comunità del Mediterraneo Sostenibili e Solidali per l’Inclusione e l’Accoglienza – Ente Filantropico) and Sinloc (Italy) ensure close collaboration with local energy communities, while Finnova Foundation (Belgium) drives communication and dissemination, and Zabala Innovation Consulting (Spain) manages exploitation and innovation. Together, this diverse consortium combines research excellence, technological innovation, and strong outreach capacity to maximise the project’s impact.