TIME TO CELEBRATE THE FIRST ENERGY COMMUNITY SCHOOL PROJECT IN SPAIN
The EU has set itself the ambition to “Develop a Citizens Energy Package to increase citizens participation in the energy transition and strengthen the social dimension of the European Union”.

In Spain the EU AURORA project is tackling climate change by putting these words into action at the Palomeras Cultural Centre School in Madrid, in partnership with the AURORA project and the energy co-operative Ecooo.

The school, managed by its own teaching staff, is embracing photovoltaic self-consumption and air source heat pumps to tackle the challenges of climate change for the benefit of its students and the educational community. More than 300 children in Vallecas will soon say goodbye to extreme classroom temperatures.
Backed by the AURORA Project, led by the Politecnical University of Madrid Campus Sur and supported through the European initiative of the same name, the school is now well on course to raise €150,000 in four months through a participatory loan campaign. This effort will allow the school to replace its outdated gas boiler, break free from fossil fuels and the energy oligopoly, and become the first school in the region to lead a citizen-driven climate revolution.

How will this be done?
The school will install 43 kWp solar panels and air source heat pumps to ensure proper climate control while reducing CO₂ emissions. The initiative improves the school's resilience to extreme weather, boosts sustainability, and reduces energy bills — savings that will be used to repay the loans at a 1.5% annual interest rate before tax.

How do citizens get involved in collective financing
Citizens participate in several ways. Anyone can contribute from €100, while university and vocational training students can invest from just €20. It’s also possible to invest in the name of minors, with consent from their legal guardians.
The minimum goal of the campaign to raise €50,000 has been achieved — with the solar panel installation as a priority. The second target of €150,000 will allow the school to cover all of its energy needs through the installation of the air source heat pumps. Funding has now reached €114,000 , enough to install one of the two air source heat pumps required. The push is now on to raise the remaining funds by end April 2025.

Ecooo: Citizen Energy for Real Change
With over 20 years of experience in energy justice, Ecooo was selected by the Politecnical University of Madrid to lead this project. They have a track record in collective self-consumption and energy communities, and are driving to build fairer and more democratic energy models.
Projects like this one show that energy transition is not only necessary — it’s possible with active citizen participation. Local communities can take control of their energy, reduce their environmental impact, and generate tangible benefits for everyone involved.

Join the change
If you want to help push the school to achieve its full ambitions and become the first school in Spain to undergo a full energy transition, thanks to grassroots citizens support, it is now possible for anyone in Europe to join and make a contribution. If you'd like to be part of this energy revolution and help build a fairer and more sustainable future, we invite you to join the AURORA Project. Complete the form at https://colegiocentroculturalpalomeras.com/formulario-inversion-program…
I have !
You will then see how it all works and perhaps, perhaps, be inspired to replicate what is happening in Spain, in your school, in your neighbourhood. By working together as a European Education Community we can trail blaze the energy transition. Just imagine the impact if the other 400+ schools in Madrid alone went down this path. But why stop at Madrid, any school in Europe can follow this model, you could be next !

Martin Brocklehurst
AURORA Project – Tackling Climate Change
EU Climate Pact Ambassador
PS If you want to find out more join the Higher Education, Schools and Energy Community online workshop on 30th April 2025 at 12.00-14.00hrs (CET)
https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/95738464568#success