Pilot activities

Practice-oriented & multipliable

The benefits and results of knowledge transfer and networking can be most effectively demonstrated through concrete implementation projects – or put to the test in order to achieve the best possible implementation and sustainability. Pilot projects make it possible to overcome reservations, show feasibility and achieve exemplary possibilities for action with a view to future scaling of the respective project or topic. We always do this in close cooperation with the local partners and target group and in consideration of the specific local circumstances and conditions.

We enter into the implementation of practical projects with the aim of enabling our local partners to take further and strategic action in the long term, and involve local, German and international experts in the respective field.

Example projects

Target groups

Depending on the respective project content and topic, measures and activities address different target groups to varying degrees.

In Eastern Europe, for example, our projects are often aimed at homeowners or communities, aiming at their involvement, participation and motivation in order to strengthen them in taking joint responsibility beyond their own apartments and for the entire building. Other projects aim to sensitise, qualify and/or professionalise administrative companies and housing managers, suppliers and refurbishment companies, local decision-makers and responsible local authority representatives, local utilities, banks and financial institutions.

With regard to target groups in Germany and the European Union, our aim is to actively involve experts, practitioners and decision-makers in projects and, with their help, to contribute know-how and experience from Germany and other countries in Eastern and Western Europe in line with the objectives of the project and the association.

Goals

We want to create examples of the feasibility and delivery of energy-efficient, sustainable buildings and cities in Eastern Europe. This often starts with securing organisational and financial conditions on site, by enabling residents to organise their community of owners and make decisions, to gain an understanding and a well-founded assessment of the work and quality of service of housing managers, and much more.

We make feasibility clear and tangible, thus removing obstacles and reservations by means of practical implementation and motivating people to take concrete and personal action.

Our approach

We take a systemic and holistic approach and build up all necessary work steps on each other. For a sound project preparation and a smooth and successful project management,

  • we analyse the initial situation and need for action in dialogue with local partners,
  • we identify, plan and design the appropriate procedure,
  • we implement and accompany all measures and
  • we ensure the successful completion of measures and the project as well as a follow-up of the results and findings.

If possible, we initiate follow-up activities at an early stage to ensure the sustainable use of project results and the continuation and consolidation of successful measures.

What we achieve

Also allowing for our strategic efforts in knowledge transfer and networking, we have been developing and realising very different implementation activities since the foundation of IWO. These activities often have a pilot character – and in most cases can be multiplied and applied to other countries and regions.

Our projects include

  • Education projects and training activities
  • Consulting projects, including strategic and suitable implementation options e.g. for redevelopment projects and funding instruments
  • Preparation and partial support of structural construction and refurbishment measures

Where possible, we also use project results and findings to point out to political and institutional decision-makers the need for legal and strategic decisions and to make any proposals for change.