SHINE tools: Financing tools for energy communities

This SHINE tool is a compilation of the best financing tools for energy communities as ranked by the partners of the SHINE project. It compiles key resources from the ACCE, SCCALE, and COMPILE projects. This tools functions as a practical suite of financing tools tailored to community energy initiatives.

These guides cover essential funding mechanisms — including equity and debt financing, cooperative business models, and specialized strategies for bank engagement — to help local actors and financial institutions navigate capital access. Ultimately, this toolbox offers resources to help cement a multi-stakeholder collaboration in which capital and citizen-led energy projects benefit from each other, contributing to a more sustainable energy system.

The toolbox includes:

• ACCE Best practice report on Community Energy Financing Schemes (CEFS);
• ACCE self-management guide;
• ACCE business and strategy plan EU organisation including EU potential for CEFS;
• SCCALE financing guide for energy communities;
• SCCALE Financing community energy: A short guide for banks;
• COMPILE financing guide

The SHINE team has reviewed this selection of tools and provided accompanying review notes and updates, available for download below, offering useful context to complement your reading.