Buildings account for more than 40% of the overall energy consumption in the EU, of which two-thirds are consumed in residential buildings. Thereby, the standard of the buildings varies greatly and low thermal quality primarily occurs in the prefabricated multi-storey housing stock in the Central and Eastern European member states. This fact also implies huge potentials for energy savings and the reduction of CO2-emission through energy efficient refurbishment (EER).On this background partners from seven BSR countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Russia and Belarus) came together for 2 ½ years, to tackle the problems of dilapidation and energy waste in their residential building stock. Key targets were the development of technical, legal, institutional and financial strategies and tools that promote EER, focussing on the multi-storey housing stock, erected between 1950 and 1990. Achievements: During the BEEN project phase the partners elaborated outputs within five work packages (WPs). WP 1 focussed on the analysis of the potentials of energy efficiency in the BSR building stock as well as on the review of national policies in comparison to EU standards and regulations. Final result is a policy paper that is addressed to market actors and policy makers on international, national, regional and local level. The results of WP2 to WP4 are summarised in final reports as well as WP info leaflets, which are available in all project languages.Of key importance within the project work have been the best practice projects (WP 5). Based on the theoretical approaches and strategies developed in WP1 to WP4, concrete projects have been realised. In Tallinn the complex energy efficient refurbishment of one residential building was implemented, now serving as an example for other residential buildings in Estonia. Also in Poland a refurbishment project was initiated, in this case aiming at the active inclusion of the municipality and the local homeowners’ associations (HOAs) in the process. Project partners in Lithuania decided to elaborate a technical standard documentation for the most frequent building types in Klaipeda to encourage and support HOAs in the initiation and implementation of refurbishment projects. In Latvia, an electronic cost-calculation model has been developed, which shall facilitate the preparation of refurbishment projects. In addition to the scheduled outputs, the Lead Partner elaborated a manual as supplementary document explaining and assessing the findings of BEEN.The BEEN project is part of a process and the partners’ network will continue its fruitful transnational cooperation. Key platform for exchange of information will remain the website. Furthermore, the durability of the project outcomes and results will be ensured via follow-up activities to further disseminate and implement the results elaborated. Preparations to continue the concrete project work on EU level are already going on.The project results can be downloaded on: www.been-online.net