For citizens reached through their letterbox: typically 65+, rural, or in regions with poor broadband. On the EPBD this is the segment with the highest personal stake (heating costs), and the one most often missed.
Language: mother tongue, plain register, ≤grade-6 reading level.
Length: one A4 sheet.
Questions: 3, yes/no/maybe.
Optional free text: 4 lines.
Trust signal: on national-post stationery, jointly signed by a local NGO or municipal librarian.
National Post + a local-NGO consortium (the Hungarian example uses the Civil Társ Foundation). Prepaid return envelope. Optional: librarians can help fill in.
Returned letters are scanned + OCR'd, the 3 ticks counted, and short free-text answers translated for the synthesis dashboard. Weighted so this segment is not drowned out by digital channels.
The European Union is asking you something simple. Heating bills are going up in many parts of Europe. We want to know what you think before the new rules are decided.
You can answer in three minutes. There is a stamped envelope in this letter. Send it back, and your answers will reach Brussels.
If you would like help, please go to the village library on Tuesday or Friday morning. Eszter, the librarian, will read the questions with you. Or call 06 80 555 333, free of charge.