Hnuti DUHA - Friends of the Earth Czech Republic established the Clean Energy Brigades (CEB) in 1994. The main idea is to turn verbal claims of how to save energy into concrete results. Trained volunteer activists go into public buildings and people's homes and install energy efficiency materials such as window and door insulation, radiator reflectors, etc. The labour for this service is not charged for. The owners of the buildings - both people and institutions - only have to pay for the materials. The project is also introduced to the media to raise the issue of radioactive waste, energy production and climate change to a national level, while promoting the ecologically friendly alternative of efficiency.

In 1998, with support from IIEC-Europe, the CEB programme expanded to become the International Energy Brigades Programme (IEB).

The International Energy Brigade (IEB) programme targets disadvantaged people, families and communities to provide relief for people suffering from 'fuel poverty' in economies in transition. The IEB also includes public awareness raising on the necessity for energy conservation and efficiency and the advantages it can bring. The IEB programme currently operates with Za Zemiata in Bulgaria, Georgia Greens Movement in Georgia, Energia Klub in Hungary, the Ecoclub in Ukraine, Proaktiva Macedonia in Macedonia and Za Matku Zem in Slovakia with international co-ordination and support being provided by Hnuti DUHA, Czech Republic in co-operation with the UK office of the International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC-Europe).

The IEB programme is one of the main elements of the Clean Energy Network (CEN), which further comprises the Seminars on Enegy Efficiency (SEE) and the development of an internet based resource centre on clean energy switched-on.org.

The IEB programme provides core funding and specialised training to develop brigades in each country and to raise public awareness on energy conservation and efficiency and the advantages it can bring. To ensure sustainability and because the partner organisations cannot do all installations themselves, the programme aims to involve other groups in society in doing the work. This includes organisations working with low-income people and families, local government and the business sector. Training and support is given on volunteer recruitment and management; repairs and installation of insulation; organisational management and development; fundraising; media/promotion; techniques for the economic and technical evaluation of energy conservation and efficiency; public advocacy (lobbying) and legislation; policy development; working with the business community and building partnerships with other NGOs and local Government.