Hieronymus

Netwerk Hiëronymus VZW is a network of Catholic educational institutions and care centers in Flanders, founded in 1984 by the Hiëronimite Brothers. This non-profit organization now groups several schools, psychiatric centers, and institutions for people with disabilities, all united by a shared vision of community service.

In 2025, the network took a significant step in its energy transition by creating a citizen energy community that connects 29 participants across 7 buildings. This initiative enables schools and care centers to share locally produced solar energy, reducing their dependence on the traditional electricity grid and their energy costs.

Beyond direct economic benefits, this project has an essential educational dimension. The network's educational institutions use their participation in the energy community as an educational tool, raising students' awareness of energy transition challenges and solidarity between institutions. The savings achieved are reinvested in improving infrastructure and services for students and patients.

Through the WeSmart EMS platform, the network has real-time visibility of energy flows between its 26 active sites equipped with digital meters connected to Fluvius. This pilot project demonstrates how institutions with a social and educational mission can pool their resources to accelerate the energy transition while strengthening their public service mission.