The European project FIESTA (Families Intelligent Energy Saving Targeted Action) is encouraging energy efficiency by providing information to citizens through unconventional initiatives. The European cities that joined the project committed to carrying out free energy audits for families, and are now launching lotteries open to those who have requested audits or have taken part in workshops on the topic of energy efficiency in the home. Prizes range from electric bikes to energy efficient televisions. All initiatives encourage the reduction of energy consumption and energy expenditure within households. Burgas (Bulgaria) will hold its first lottery within the FIESTA project on 3 June at 16.00 in the FLORA expo centre.

Local purchasing groups have also been promoted with the idea of gathering users who need to order products and technology that improve energy efficiency in the home, enabling them to purchase goods at a cheaper price. The outcome of the first year of the Fiesta project is positive: 506 energy audits carried out in the five European countries involved (Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus); 100 workshops held for students, residents in apartment buildings, and installers; and 11 lotteries. FIESTA stands will be present in Larnaka (Cyprus) during the Kataklysmos Fair between 17 – 22 June 2016 and in Ravenna (Italy) on 5 June during the event "I bambini in festa".

It is still possible to apply for energy audits through the project website, or by calling or visiting the FIESTA points in the municipalities involved. FIESTA is coordinated at the European level by AREA Science Park, the science park of Trieste, and includes five technical partners (one for each participating country) and 14 cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants.

For more information, visit the FIESTA website or watch the FIESTA animation series on You Tube.