Merel Oldenburg joined Energie Samen and the community energy movement in the Netherlands around three and a half years ago. Energie Samen is the Dutch federation of more than 450 energy communities. She works on strategic projects aimed at supporting the growth and strengthening of energy communities, with a particular focus on Community Energy Financing Schemes. She works closely with the organisation’s four-person funding team, which manages several schemes with a combined investment volume of around €70 million, and contributes to the development of new financing instruments to better meet the financing needs of members.