Brandenburg Consumer Center receives 571,000 euros to strengthen advisory structures for energy costs and social emergencies

Brandenburg Consumer Center receives 571,000 euros to strengthen advisory structures for energy costs and social emergencies

According to a report by msgiv.brandenburg.de, the state government of Brandenburg is reacting to the energy crisis and the drastic price increases, which have led to an increase in the need for advice from the Consumer Center Brandenburg e.V. (VZB). A total of 571,000 euros from the “Brandenburg Package” will finance the expansion of the VZB advisory structures to save energy costs and support social emergencies in 2023 and 2024. The emergency aid is intended to intensify consumer education and strengthen the position of consumers, in particular through free operating cost checks for tenants. The consumer advice center is planning to set up additional advisory activities in the state of Brandenburg and take collective action against providers.

The impact of this funding decision could be significant for both the market and consumers. The free operating cost audit gives tenants the opportunity to enforce their rights and reduce financial burdens caused by increased energy prices. This could lead to landlords becoming more concerned with energy costs and possibly investing in energy efficient measures to reduce operating costs for their tenants.

In addition, the additional advisory activities of the consumer advice center could lead to consumers being more conscious of their energy consumption and possibly switching to energy-efficient measures or alternative energy providers. In the long term, this could lead to more sustainable energy consumption and greater competition among energy providers.

The “Brandenburg package” as a relief package at the state level has a total of two billion euros, which comes from borrowing from the state of Brandenburg. The relief measures included are limited to the years 2023 and 2024 and were made possible by the emergency resolution of the state parliament. The measures are examined by the Ministry of Finance and the specialist departments and are subject to certain provisions for the emergency resolution of the state parliament.

These measures show how government support can help to relieve consumers in times of financial stress and to optimize energy consumption and energy costs in the long term. This could also have long-term effects on the energy market and lead to a change in awareness regarding energy efficiency and consumer protection.