Energy end-users are not the only parties influencing their energy behaviour. Change in energy-related behaviour is part of a larger change in the users' environment. The available products, services and networks set the opportunities and limits for changing individuals’ patterns of energy usage.
The engagement of stakeholders is also important for the durability of change. Once the project ended, and you have left the scene, there needs to be some sort of permanent network or change in different parties' roles and competencies in order for the changed behaviour to persist.
Successful projects engage not only end-users, but other relevant stakeholders in the end-user context as well. These stakeholders can be viewed as ‘indirect target groups’. Their participation can be crucial for achieving and sustainining change, as they are important ‘gatekeepers’ of knowledge, decisions and services.
Practical examples
Practical examples of relevant stakeholders for, e.g. the refurbishment of multi-apartment buildings:
- Households (tenants, owner-occupiers)
- Resident boards and committees, informal groups
- Facility owners and managers
- Banks
- Contractors, technology suppliers, retailers
- Government (national and local)
Practical examples of relevant stakeholders for, e.g. energy and carbon emission reductions in offices:
- Management
- Employees
- Staff in charge of particular functions (e.g. IT)
- Trade, labour and professional organisations
- Clients
- Facility owners and managers
- Suppliers and service providers
- Government (national and local)
How to engage stakeholders well?
- create win-win situations in which they want to participate in your project
- keep them up to date on what is going on in your project
- invite them to contribute and allow them to get some of the credit for success
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