POWERINGCITIZENS The Hague Local activity (interview)
To explore perceptions and lived experiences of energy poverty, one-on-one street interviews were conducted in The Hague with participants from diverse age groups and socio-economic backgrounds. The data collection combined storytelling methods with semi-structured interviews, enabling participants to articulate both practical experiences and emotional responses related to energy use and affordability.
The narrations focused on four thematic areas: reducing energy use and waste, affordability and management of energy bills, awareness and trust in smart meters, and energy-related anxiety. Participants described how energy costs influence daily routines, household comfort, and long-term financial security. Many expressed uncertainties regarding energy billing systems and limited understanding of how technological solutions affect consumption and costs.
Specific attention was given to young adults living with their parents to assess intergenerational awareness and perceived responsibility within households. These narrations revealed that while young adults are often indirectly affected by energy poverty, they are not always actively engaged in energy-related decision-making. However, reflective discussion frequently triggered a willingness to contribute, either financially or through behavioral changes.
An illustrative narrative involved a young woman living in a single-income household with her chronically ill mother. She described ongoing financial pressure and suboptimal living conditions. Through the interview, she recognized her capacity to contribute more actively to household stability, marking a shift from passive awareness to shared responsibility. This narrative exemplifies how citizen-centered engagement can activate agency at household level.
