Sustainable energy projects can help societies reduce climate change’s negative impacts. In the present paper, published studies regarding European community energy schemes (CESs) were analysed to investigate CESs’ barriers and drivers towards including community members and, more specifically, vulnerable groups. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines to ensure transparency. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were defined to select the proper articles and books that were aligned with the scope of this review. A total of 143 publications from 2019 to February 2024 were considered and selected. Content analysis was used to outline the various definitions of energy poverty, vulnerable groups, and CESs as well as the different strategies and approaches followed by European countries to tackle energy poverty and increase public engagement in CESs. This research suggests that environmental citizenship is a concept that can bring individuals and society together to promote changes in energy-related behaviours. The outcome reveals factors that enhance community energy acceptance and social cohesion such as providing energy education or education for sustainability to community members, financial support, increased prosocial culture, and the participation of vulnerable groups in CESs. This can be achieved through various interventions to help community members, including vulnerable groups, understand sustainable energy behaviour and thus reduce energy poverty.

The Sustainable Development Goals consist of 17 interconnected global objectives aimed at creating a better and more sustainable future for everyone. This paper examines the factors that shape citizens’ visions of an ideal society across twelve European countries. Understanding that the idea of an ideal society is both aspirational and context-dependent, the study utilises the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach, Collaborative Planning Theory, and Human Ecology Theory to interpret the priorities of citizens. The research analyses various factors, including poverty, safety and security, religious values, immigration policies, longevity, freedom, military strength, inequality, education quality, economic prosperity, birth rates, trust, human rights, democracy, and social connections. Using data from the CROss-National Online Survey 2 (CRONOS-2), the study applies factor analysis to identify correlation patterns among these variables. The results suggest that social well-being and social life have a more significant impact on shaping citizens’ visions of an ideal society than traditional values and security concerns. The research findings suggest that social well-being plays a crucial role in shaping these ideal visions of society. It highlights the importance of implementing policies that aim to improve education, alleviate poverty, safeguard human rights, and foster trust. These results emphasise the crucial role of normative frameworks in promoting sustainable development and are closely aligned with various key Sustainable Development Goals.

Decentralised energy allows communities to become self-sufficient, economically viable, and less reliant on fossil fuels. This study examines the factors that enable and hinder sustainable energy practices, especially among vulnerable groups. Ten narrative interviews were conducted in a neighbourhood in Trondheim, Norway, that is affected by energy vulnerability. Through the lens of social capital theory, this research aims to identify the main barriers and drivers influencing the adoption of sustainable energy practices (with community energy projects as one possible pathway), particularly among vulnerable groups. The interviews revealed several key factors, including a sense of belonging to the community, access to social and financial resources, knowledge and awareness about sustainable behaviour and environmental issues, practical communication tools, awareness of national policies, trust in project leaders, transparency in project plans, and institutional structure. These factors serve as barriers and drivers for changing energy consumption behaviours. The findings highlight the significance of economic and environmental awareness, trust-building, and transparent governance in fostering community engagement. Enhancing participation through inclusive communication methods, such as community meetings and digital tools, can empower citizens to collectively address energy challenges. A holistic approach, integrating financial, political, educational, and social measures, is recommended to reduce energy vulnerability and facilitate the transition to more sustainable and equitable community energy projects.

Energy communities in Denmark, Italy, and Norway were investigated to explore factors that enable or hinder the behavioral and social transformations necessary to achieve a socially just environmental transition, particularly in projects involving vulnerable individuals. This study seeks to understand how energy communities drive behavioral change and social transformation by examining seven energy communities in Denmark, Italy, and Norway. Consequently, 57 semi-structured interviews were conducted among the seven cases. This paper suggests fostering behavioral shifts towards energy-saving practices in Norway and Denmark to reduce energy consumption and mitigate energy vulnerability. Education and awareness-raising on energy-saving measures in Italy have already led to tangible changes in daily behaviors among vulnerable groups. Across all countries, prior environmental attitudes, trust in project leaders and project plans, and community support were crucial in driving participation and behavioral change. Additionally, financial incentives motivated some participants, especially those from vulnerable groups facing high living costs. Key enablers of change included access to knowledge and a sense of community, while barriers like financial constraints and time limitations hindered broader participation. The study highlights the importance of involving vulnerable individuals in decision-making to enhance their sense of ownership and commitment to energy-saving practices. For sustainable behavioral change, it is essential to address environmental motivations and the financial, political, social, and practical considerations that affect vulnerable populations’ decision to join energy communities.