Paper short abstract:

I would like to discuss the role of the narratives of social entrepreneurs in the energy poverty network and how they can support network cohesion through their hybrid organisations.

Paper long abstract:

The roadmap to a just energy transition faces the challenge of the inclusion of vulnerable households. Energy poverty is a complex social problem that affects more than 37 million people in Europe, a number that will grow, increasing vulnerability and deepening inequality. The complex and networked nature of energy poverty is inviting to responses from a growing diversity of perspectives and actors, among whom social entrepreneurs are increasingly notable contributors. The phenomenon of social entrepreneurship and social innovation may be a productive space to build responses to energy vulnerability since the hybrid nature of social enterprises confer them suitable and distinctive capabilities to contribute to this multi-actor problem. Thus, the aim of this work is to enrich the understanding of the mechanisms at play in the energy poverty network through the phenomenon of collective social entrepreneurship. For that purpose, we interview social entrepreneurs addressing energy poverty issues in 8 European countries to examine their narratives on their role in the energy poverty network and understand the plurality and diversity involved. The theoretical lens of the multi-actor network frames our approach to the complex energy poverty problem in relation to the role of social entrepreneurship. Our findings suggest the synergistic activity of all actors contributing to a more holistic approach to energy poverty to accelerate the just energy transition.