EUSEW 2026 update: SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency Award call extended

There are three awards categories: SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency, Local Energy Action and Women in Energy. While the call for the Local Energy Action and Women in Energy categories will close as announced on 29 January 2026, the SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency, as a new category, will benefit from a week-long extension and will now close on Thursday 5 February at 23:59 CET.

The Innovative business or financing models for energy efficiency by SMEs Award honours Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that have developed and deployed innovative business or financing models to advance energy efficiency solutions, notably in buildings and industry. It recognises SMEs that are pioneering new approaches to make energy upgrades more accessible, affordable and scalable. SMEs applying will have to demonstrate how market-driven innovation can accelerate the energy transition and the renovation wave, reduce emissions, and empower private citizens, public authorities, and enterprises to invest in a sustainable energy future.

Winning an EUSEW Award offers valuable EU-wide visibility, professional communication support, and recognition at the European Sustainable Energy Awards Ceremony — a unique opportunity to highlight your work and amplify its reach across Europe. Browse past EUSEW Awards winners and find inspiration to apply or nominate someone deserving an award.

To prepare a strong application, we recommend reviewing the application guidelines, the Info Session recording, presentation and Q&A, and the blog post with tips and guidance. You may save your progress and come back to it later; however, applications cannot be edited after submission.

Apply for the EUSEW Awards

Background 

The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, takes place on 9-11 June under the theme ‘A clean, secure and competitive Energy Union’. Launched in 2007 by the European Commission and co-organised by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) in close cooperation with the Directorate-General for Energy, EUSEW remains EU’s flagship event for the clean energy transition, bringing together public authorities, private companies, NGOs, researchers and civil society from across Europe and beyond.

For more information and updates on  EUSEW opportunities, please refer to ec.europa.eu/eusew and #EUSEW2026 on social media.