ACCE Charter with common understanding of definition and ethics of CEFS

The Access to Capital for Community Energy (ACCE) project has developed this Charter to define the shared ethical and organisational principles of Community Energy Financing Schemes (CEFS). Guided by the seven cooperative principles, the Charter aims to support the establishment and governance of CEFS across Europe, fostering ethical, transparent, and
community-driven practices in the clean energy transition.

This document outlines five key dimensions of CEFS: managing institution, target investment, money sources, products offered, and knowledge sharing. It establishes criteria for efficient CEFS design and evaluation, emphasising community ownership, local impact, and independence. The Charter’s Code of Conduct provides practical guidance for managing institutions to implement CEFS principles, ensuring inclusivity, a community-first approach, autonomy, transparency, and accountability. Approved and signed by the ACCE partners on June 24th, 2025, this Charter serves as an ethical guide for all CEFS stakeholders.