The project builds on the hypothesis: Energy is consumed by people rather than by buildings. The focus is therefore on user behaviour changes needed to reduce energy consumption in the Alpine region.

Changes in behaviour relating to energy consumption are to be initiated and supported through the use of ICT applications. These will be co-designed by living labs, referred to as ‘co-creation labs’, and developed by a transnational IT ecosystem. The applications will then be tested by energy users in seven pilot studies, and reductions in energy consumption will be measured. Based on the results of co-creation labs and experimentation, policies for spatial development in the Alpine region will be drafted. The participatory policy-making has the objective of focusing on soft measures, rather than on the construction of new buildings and infrastructure.

Project tasks thus include:

• Awareness raising regarding energy efficiency in buildings
• The study of energy-efficient behaviour
• The use of living labs for the co-creation of ICT tools
• Experimentation with real-life energy users (private households, school and university students, employees and tourists)
• Drafting of policies for the spatial development of the Alpine region

Envisaged outcomes are ICT tools (apps for mobile phones, digital displays, dashboards, etc.) to promote behavioural changes resulting in more efficient energy use, as well as draft policies for spatial development regarding energy consumption in the Alpine region.