CONSERN is introducing a novel paradigm for dedicated, purpose-driven small scale wireless networks characterized by a service-centric evolutionary approach, referred here as an energy-aware self-growing network and system.In the context of CONSERN, the Self-Growing network paradigm considers (i) mechanisms for energy efficient interaction of the wireless network elements and (ii) mechanisms for the reliable and efficient evolvement towards later lifecycle phases. A Self-Growing network is set up on-demand and is initially dedicated to a single purpose such monitoring and/or control. Self-growing can be applied on large scale, distributed and cooperative systems, including, for example, construction sites, and delivering wireless services within a complex home/office environment requiring network parameter negotiation with a multitude of neighbouring networks, etc. In the course of its lifecycle, it may coexist and cooperate with other wireless networks of distinct owners and interest groups evolving in the deployment area using or augmenting existing capacity in order to either serve additional purposes (e.g. in case of an emergency) or optimising under a specific purpose.CONSERN facilitates the emergence of mechanisms achieving energy efficient, robust, predictable and self-adaptive operation for future networked systems by considering mechanisms and methods for autonomic (design- and run-time) energy optimisations as well as cooperative energy aware behaviour of the distributed system nodes.