Handbook on investment schemes for REScoop projects [English]

Financing a renewable energy source cooperative, also called REScoop, depends mainly on the type of project planned: its size, the type of technology used, and the type of activity carried out (whether it produces, supplies, or distributes energy or services). Thus, in order to decide on what type of investment scheme is best for a project, it is important to first decide on several aspects of the project that will determine its business model.

This handbook describes existing financing schemes for REScoops and offers guidance to choose the right one for your project.

The document starts with an explanation of the different schemes and their suitability for different projects. A second part analyses and describes four best practices from the REScoop movement in Europe. These replicable examples aim to give a more precise idea on how to set up such an investment scheme applied to a specific project. The handbook closes with a third and final section depicting new investment schemes that are either very punctually used or not yet set up to finance REScoops. The main objective of this part is to give an overview of the potential of several tools, methods and ideas which could be supported and exploited in the future.

The handbook is also available in German and French.