Built4People Projects Clustering Event: Strengthening Collaboration Across the Built4People Community

/in ,

On 6 October 2026, the Built4People Projects Clustering Event, organised by CINEA, with the support of the European Commission, ECTP and ENCORD, took place in Brussels within the framework of the Built4People (B4P) partnership. This annual event brings together representatives from projects funded under the Built4People calls to strengthen collaboration across the community, foster knowledge exchange and facilitate networking. It provides a valuable opportunity for participants to share experiences, discuss common challenges, exchange lessons learnt and showcase good practices developed through their projects, helping to maximise synergies and strengthen the collective impact of the Built4People partnership.

Introduction and welcome

The event opened with a welcome address by Martin Lange, Head of Unit at CINEA C2, who highlighted CINEA’s role in supporting green growth and clean industries through the management of EU funding programmes, including Horizon Europe, the Innovation Fund and the LIFE Programme, among others.

Representing the private side of the Built4People partnership, Anastasiya Yurchyshyna, ECTP Secretary General, encouraged participants to strengthen collaboration and co-creation across the community to address challenges facing the built environment and shape the partnership’s future. Magnus Österbring, Secretary General of ENCORD, echoed this message, stressing the need to move beyond isolated initiatives and pilot projects towards a more connected innovation ecosystem that brings together the expertise of Europe’s construction industry and helps scale up innovative solutions.

Together, the opening contributions set the tone for the day, highlighting the importance of collaboration in accelerating innovation and maximising its impact across Europe.

Policy update

Barbara Pirchner, Policy Officer at DG ENER, provided an update on the implementation of the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), highlighting the May 2026 transposition deadline and the upcoming National Building Renovation Plans, due by the end of the year. She also presented the Electrification Action Plan, adopted in July 2026, and its measures to support heat pumps and district heating and cooling.

The presentation also addressed the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF, 2028–2034) and the future FP10 research and innovation programme. European Partnerships are expected to remain key instruments, with a simpler structure, more strategic priorities and greater emphasis on private-sector contributions. The proposals are still subject to legislative negotiations.

The Built4People Innovation Clusters Network | STAR*track project 

Claudia Hunziker-Keller (Nobatek) presented the STAR*track project, a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) supporting the growth of the Built4People Innovation Clusters (B4PIC) Network. The network currently comprises 29 Emerging and 5 Prospective B4PICs, with the ambition of establishing 10–15 fully operational B4PICs by 2028 to strengthen collaboration between industry and research and accelerate the market uptake of Built4People innovations.

She also highlighted key tools supporting this ecosystem: the Metabuilding platform, connecting construction and related sectors to share innovations, find collaboration partners, showcase solutions and access R&D, testing and certification support; and the Maturoscope, which helps assess technological maturity and market readiness. Through the B4PIC Network, projects can also access testing facilities, demonstration sites, funding opportunities and innovation support services, helping them build synergies and bring their solutions closer to market.

Project presentations: The newcomers

The event also featured presentations of recently funded Built4People projects, showcasing innovative approaches to sustainable renovation, robotics, digitalisation and circular construction.

Industrialisation of sustainable, circular deep renovation

SPHEERE – Presented by Sudhanshu Verma

SPHEERE introduces a prefabricated renovation approach combining technological and circular solutions to make deep building renovation faster, more affordable and less disruptive, while improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions.

FRAIMwork – Presented by Lorenz Van Damme

Focusing on small-scale European buildings, FRAIMwork combines modular prefabricated elements with BIM-based digital tools to simplify deep renovation, reduce on-site work and lower costs and construction waste.

Robotics for construction, renovation and maintenance

ShieldBot – Presented by Iker Mancisidor

ShieldBot brings robotics to building renovation, combining solutions for interior works, exterior inspections and façade insulation. Its digital twin and sustainable insulation technologies aim to improve energy performance while reducing environmental impacts.

RADIANCE – Presented by Gálata Martínez

RADIANCE integrates robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies throughout the renovation process, from building inspection to repair. By combining autonomous systems with AI-based defect detection and digital twins, the project seeks to make renovation safer, faster and more sustainable.

RoboCons – Presented by Andoni Amurrio

RoboCons is creating a human-centred construction ecosystem that combines robotics, AI, Building Information Modelling (BIM) and other digital tools. Its approach aims to improve safety, productivity and quality while reducing costs, waste and environmental impacts.

BIM-based processes and digital twins for circular energy renovation

INTEGRATES – Presented by Cristian Pozza

INTEGRATES connects BIM, digital twins and data-driven services through accessible digital tools designed to support energy-efficient and circular renovation. Digital Product Passports and Digital Building Logbooks are among the solutions intended to facilitate material reuse and improve decision-making, including for SMEs.

DTERBIM – Presented by Sonia Álvarez Díaz

DTERBIM is developing an open, interoperable BIM-based framework incorporating AI services and digital twins. By improving data exchange and collaboration across the building lifecycle, it aims to optimise resources, reduce costs and time, and integrate circularity into renovation processes.

Design for adaptability, re-use and deconstruction of buildings

CRedIBlE – Presented by Sofia-Natalia Boemi

CRedIBlE combines BIM, life-cycle assessment (LCA), digital twins and AI to support circular building design. Its digital tools, including Digital Product Passports and modular design solutions, help make buildings more adaptable and easier to disassemble and reuse materials from.

Digital solutions to foster participative design, planning and management of buildings, neighbourhoods and urban districts

RenoVisor – Presented by Máirtín Ó Méalóid

RenoVisor helps citizens, homeowners and energy communities make informed renovation decisions by combining building simulations, social science and participatory advisory tools. It aims to clarify renovation costs, benefits and impacts while supporting more affordable, comfortable and inclusive outcomes.

BLUEPRINT – Presented by Léa Faure

BLUEPRINT combines digital technologies, including multi-scale digital twins, AI and augmented reality, with participatory approaches inspired by New European Bauhaus values. Its goal is to support inclusive urban regeneration, ensuring that digital innovation is complemented by accessible, low-tech ways for communities to participate.

Breakout Sessions

Session A: Discuss the projects’ results and innovations in relation to the four strategic action pathways of the Built4People partnership

Facilitated by Anastasiya Yurchyshyna (ECTP), Vedran Angebrandt (CINEA) and Cornelia Partsch (ECTP), the first breakout session explored how Built4People projects contribute to the partnership’s four Strategic Action Pathways: Net-Zero, Affordable, Resilient and Productive Built Environment.

Discussions highlighted the diversity of solutions emerging across the community, from circular construction materials and heritage renovation to robotics, digitalisation and inclusive urban regeneration. Participants also identified common challenges, including bridging the gap between research and market uptake, improving data sharing and facilitating collaboration across disciplines.

Three priorities emerged for future collaboration: establishing a common language across disciplines, involving more start-ups alongside SMEs, and addressing industrial partners’ concerns about data sharing. These insights highlighted the importance of closer cooperation to turn project results into scalable solutions.

Session B: Explore how the results from projects can inform policies and the future MFF

Facilitated by Bogdan Atanasiu (CINEA), Veronika Schröpfer (CINEA) and Nerea Gómez (ECTP), the second breakout session examined how Built4People project results can inform policymaking and future priorities under the EU MFF and research and innovation programmes. Discussions focused on renovation as a key driver for addressing climate objectives, energy security, housing affordability and resilience.

Participants highlighted the potential of digitalisation, AI, robotics and industrialised renovation to reduce costs and implementation times. Better access to reliable building data, interoperable tools and circular material markets could further improve efficiency and resource use. However, solutions must remain adaptable to Europe’s diverse building stock and consider factors such as durability, accessibility and climate resilience.

Beyond technology, the discussion stressed the need for effective financing mechanisms, skilled workers, supportive regulatory frameworks and greater engagement with homeowners, tenants and social housing providers. Participants also emphasised the importance of building on existing project results and accelerating their uptake. Future EU research and innovation programmes should therefore support not only the development of new solutions, but also the market conditions and practical capacity needed to deploy them at scale.

 Closing of the event

The event concluded with closing remarks from Annarita Ferreri, Head of Sector for Energy Efficiency and Smart Cities at CINEA, and Veronika Schröpfer, who thanked participants for contributing to another successful edition of the Built4People Projects Clustering Event. They highlighted the value of the discussions, knowledge exchange and networking throughout the day, reinforcing the importance of collaboration across the Built4People community to turn project results into practical solutions and accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable, resilient and people-centred built environment in Europe.

5th Built4People Stakeholders Forum: Building Europe’s Resilient Future

/in ,

The 5th Built4People Stakeholders Forum, entitled “Building Europe’s Resilient Future”, took place on 7 October 2026 at Buildwise in Brussels, Belgium. Organised by the European Commission, CINEA, ECTP and ENCORD, the event brought together policymakers, industry representatives, researchers and key stakeholders to explore how research, innovation and collaboration can contribute to a more resilient European built environment.

Under the overarching theme of resilience, this year’s Forum addressed key challenges and opportunities for the sector, from strengthening the security of Europe’s built environment and transforming resource use to scaling up innovative construction practices, harnessing digital intelligence and ultimately delivering resilient places for people.

The Forum’s preparation and coordination was led by Anastasiya Yurchyshyna, ECTP Secretary General, working closely with the organising partners. She also served as master of ceremonies on the day, guiding participants through the programme and introducing the sessions and discussions throughout the event.

Welcome by the Built4People Partnership Management Team

The opening remarks highlighted the importance of collaboration between European policymakers and the construction sector in advancing research and innovation towards a more resilient built environment. Speakers included Barbara Pirchner, Policy Officer – Energy Efficiency: Policy and Financing at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER); Annarita Ferreri, Head of Sector – Energy Efficiency, Smart Cities and New European Bauhaus at CINEA, European Commission; Edward Woods, Head of R&D, Innovation and Venture Capital at Bouygues Construction and ECTP President; Ilari Aho, Head of Global Business Sustainability at GF Building Flow Solutions, B4P Partnership Board Co-Chair and ENCORD Vice-President; and Magnus Österbring, NCC Building Sweden and ENCORD Secretary General.

Keynote “Resilience by Design: Building a Europe Ready for an Uncertain Future”

In his keynote address, Captain João Galocha, Military Counsellor in the Portuguese Delegation to NATO, highlighted the growing importance of resilience in the face of disruptions such as cyberattacks, floods and supply chain interruptions, emphasising that resilience requires the capacity to prepare for, withstand, respond to and recover from crises. As threats increasingly cross sectoral and national borders, he stressed that resilience must be understood as a property of the whole system, requiring cooperation between governments, industry and society.

The keynote underlined the critical role of civilian infrastructure and essential services in maintaining societal functions during crises, as well as the importance of shared responsibility and dual-use infrastructure. Drawing on NATO’s approach to resilience and lessons from Ukraine, Captain Galocha emphasised that resilience must be integrated throughout the built environment’s lifecycle, from planning and design to construction, operation and transformation. Although future disruptions cannot always be predicted, Europe can prepare for them by embedding resilience into the way it builds and manages its built environment.

Panel 1: From Vulnerability to Resilience: Securing Europe’s Built Environment

Moderated by Prof. Dr Abdul Samad (Sami) Kazi, Research Team Leader for Smart Cities and Intelligent Buildings at VTT, the panel explored how Europe can move from addressing individual vulnerabilities to strengthening the resilience of the built environment as a whole. Discussions highlighted the need to ensure that essential services remain functional and safe during disruptions, rather than focusing solely on the performance of individual assets under normal conditions.

Rita Moura, Director of Innovation at Teixeira Duarte, emphasised the need to integrate natural and human-made hazards, extreme events and security requirements, including dual-use infrastructure, into the design of major infrastructure projects.

Prof. Stergios-Aristoteles Mitoulis, Professor of Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure and Director of the UCL Centre for Global Infrastructure Resilience at University College London, advocated a systemic approach that accounts for cascading risks and interdependencies. Introducing the concept of “Sustained Resilience”, he stressed that resilience must be embedded in infrastructure and urban planning over the long term, combining risk management with the capacity to withstand, adapt to and recover from crises. Drawing on research into post-war recovery in Ukrainian cities, he highlighted redundancy, diversity, modularity and adaptability as key principles for sustaining resilience.

Niall Buckley, Senior Project Manager at IES and Coordinator of the Minority Report project within the Resilience of the Built Environment Cluster, highlighted how digital twins combining simulations, sensor data, artificial intelligence and machine learning can help identify vulnerabilities and support better-informed decisions.

Emmanuelle Frénéat, Group Chief Technical Officer at EGIS, presented findings from four reports covering energy, transport, information and communication technologies (ICT), and water. She stressed that Europe’s resilience challenge is systemic, with ageing infrastructure, climate change, geopolitical dependencies, digital risks and fragmented governance creating interconnected vulnerabilities across essential services.

The discussion underscored the need for coordinated, system-level resilience planning, stronger cooperation between public authorities, industry, emergency services and communities, and procurement practices that encourage innovative, cost-effective solutions. Panellists also highlighted the role of digital technologies in anticipating disruptions, while stressing the need for redundancy and robust backup systems. Ultimately, resilience must be built into infrastructure planning and investment before a crisis occurs.

Panel 2: Circular by Design: Building Europe’s Resource-Efficient Future

Moderated by Cornelia Partsch, Policy & Project Officer at ECTP, the panel explored how circular construction can become a competitive and economically viable approach. Discussions highlighted the strategic importance of reducing resource consumption and dependencies, extending the lifespan of buildings, reusing materials and creating stronger markets for circular construction.

Isabel Rodríguez Maribona, Technology Director for Energy, Climate & Global Transition at TECNALIA, highlighted how traditional practices offer lessons for circular design, emphasising adaptive reuse, repair and extending the lifespan of existing buildings to reduce demand for new resources.

Marianne Haavardsholm Aandahl, National Expert to the European Commission on Energy and National Contact Point for Horizon Europe Energy at the Research Council of Norway (RCN), presented opportunities to recover materials from existing infrastructure, including steel from decommissioned offshore platforms. She also stressed the need to reconsider demolition and prioritise renovation, reuse and adaptation where possible.

Valia Tsiala, Senior Technical Officer at EBC and representative of the BIO4EEB project, highlighted the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in implementing circular solutions. BIO4EEB is demonstrating bio-based, energy-efficient renovation solutions across five European buildings, assessing their technical performance, costs, installation requirements and potential for wider uptake.

Roy Pennings, Senior EU Projects Manager at CERN, presented the CERN O2 project, which uses nature-based solutions to regenerate an operational research site. Measures include expanding green spaces and tree cover, reducing sealed surfaces and improving water management, while creating opportunities to test and share solutions for other urban, industrial and research environments.

Ilari Aho, Head of Global Business Sustainability at GF Building Flow Solutions, stressed the importance of extending asset lifespans, reusing materials and recycling. He highlighted the essential role of SMEs and micro-enterprises, while pointing to the economic and logistical challenges of establishing a functioning single market for secondary raw materials.

The discussion underscored that scaling up circular construction requires action across the entire value chain as well as stronger business models for circular materials. Priorities include designing for durability and disassembly, making better use of existing buildings and recovered materials, supporting SMEs and improving markets for secondary raw materials. EU policies, including the forthcoming Circular Economy Act, can help strengthen the Single Market for secondary raw materials and stimulate demand for recycled materials. Panellists also emphasised the importance of combining different areas of expertise from the earliest design stages. Ultimately, circularity must move beyond individual projects to become an economically viable, mainstream approach to construction and renovation.

Panel 3: From Innovation to Impact: Industrialising and Scaling Up Construction

Moderated by Magnus Österbring, ENCORD Secretary General, the panel explored how to turn successful research and innovation into solutions that can be deployed across Europe. Discussions highlighted the need for supportive regulation, predictable market conditions, appropriate financing and procurement practices that reward innovation and sustainability beyond upfront costs.

Natalia Zebrowska, Head of Unit – Construction at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), emphasised the importance of harmonised standards, better access to the single market and appropriate skills and financing. Procurement criteria that recognise low-carbon products, bio-based materials and recycled content can also strengthen the sector’s competitiveness.

Maira Madala, EU Public Affairs Manager at Knauf Insulation, stressed that wider deployment of low-carbon solutions depends on predictable market conditions, affordable energy and support for energy-intensive industries, enabling manufacturers to invest in decarbonisation through measures such as electrification and cleaner energy sources.

Javier Bonilla Díaz, Senior Manager for Innovation Strategy & Digital at ACCIONA, highlighted the difficulty of translating European policy ambitions into practice when competition focuses primarily on price. He called for more flexible mechanisms and faster implementation of EU policies at national level to encourage innovation in construction.

Tim van Ee, Consultant and Knowledge Manager in the Conceptual and Industrialised Construction Department of Digital Built Environment at TNO, underlined the need to rethink construction processes and planning, integrating innovation from the design stage to accelerate delivery through industrialised construction.

Celina Solari, Senior Innovation R&D Project Manager at RINA and Coordinator of the MULTICLIMACT project, shared lessons on scaling up research and demonstration results. She stressed the importance of considering installation, integration and maintenance from the outset, using interoperable tools and open standards, and involving end users. Successful pilots must be followed by investment in deployment, accessible knowledge and wider adoption.

The discussion identified public procurement as a key lever for scaling up sustainable construction. Moving beyond price-only competition requires greater recognition of quality, innovation, circularity and low-carbon performance, alongside more flexible procurement and stronger cooperation between industry and public authorities. Ultimately, Europe must move beyond isolated pilots to make industrialised and sustainable construction standard practice, creating the conditions for companies to invest and scale up.

Panel 4: Boosting Competitiveness: AI, Robotics and the Future of the Built Environment

Moderated by Vedran Angebrandt, Project Officer at CINEA, the panel explored how artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and digital technologies can boost the competitiveness of Europe’s construction sector. Discussions highlighted the need to accelerate deployment while addressing technological dependencies, skills gaps and the challenges of scaling up innovative solutions.

Stavros Stamatoukos, Policy Officer for Digitalisation and AI at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER), presented the EU’s approach to technological sovereignty, highlighting efforts to strengthen semiconductor supply chains, harness AI and cloud technologies, and reduce dependencies while ensuring secure and trusted digital solutions.

José Solís Hernández, Research & Innovation Director at CEMOSA, highlighted the potential of digital twins to improve the design, operation, maintenance and resilience of the built environment. He identified market fragmentation, limited digitalisation, skills shortages and the gap between research and deployment as key barriers to competitiveness, calling for interoperable solutions and sustained support for innovation.

Miguel Segarra, Senior Vice President of Innovation at DRAGADOS, stressed the importance of trust in AI and autonomous systems. Their successful integration into construction sites requires solutions that are safe, secure, reliable and maintainable, supported by clear control mechanisms and effective coordination between people, technologies and operational processes.

Rosie Shapiro, Vice President of Partnerships at CivicLabs, addressed the gap between promising demonstrations and widespread adoption of AI and robotics. She highlighted organisational barriers and the need for clear operational ownership, measurable performance indicators, collaboration between site teams and technology providers, and procurement pathways that enable solutions to be adopted at scale.

The discussion underlined that successful deployment depends on more than technology alone. AI and robotics must address practical needs, operate safely alongside workers and be supported by appropriate infrastructure, connectivity, maintenance and human supervision. Panellists also stressed the importance of European cooperation, shared knowledge and data, and standardisation to accelerate adoption while maintaining safety, trust and control.

Panel 5: People at the Heart of Resilience: Scaling People-Centred Innovation

Moderated by Clémentine Coujard, Consultant at Dowel Innovation, the panel explored how to scale people-centred innovation while keeping the built environment affordable, inclusive and resilient. Discussions highlighted the need to address diverse needs and ensure that innovation improves everyday life, particularly for people facing social, economic or physical barriers.

Stefan Moser, Head of the Housing Task Force at the European Commission, highlighted the need to address housing affordability, climate resilience and the gap between supply and demand. He stressed the importance of accessible housing finance, sharing good practices and coordinating stakeholders at all levels. The European Commission’s Pan-European Housing Investment Platform supports these objectives, alongside efforts to address the needs of vulnerable groups.

Edward Woods, Head of R&D, Innovation and Venture Capital at Bouygues Construction, discussed how standardisation and industrialisation can make housing more affordable without compromising design quality or local identity. Adaptable components, green areas and shared spaces can help combine cost efficiency with attractive, community-oriented neighbourhoods.

Prof. Masi Mohammadi, Professor and Chair of Smart Architectural Technologies at Eindhoven University of Technology, emphasised that social resilience depends on environments that respond to people’s needs. Drawing on the ELLI project in the Netherlands, which focuses on people living with dementia, she highlighted the value of co-design and lived experience in creating inclusive neighbourhoods. She also stressed the importance of addressing social, psychological, physical and cognitive accessibility while ensuring affordability.

Floridea Di Ciommo, Director of cambiaMO and Coordinator of the InclusiveSpaces project, highlighted barriers to inclusive mobility, including inaccessible information, missing tactile paths and ramps, and inconsistent step-free access. She stressed that universal design is a human-rights principle grounded in dignity, equality, participation and autonomy, and that accessibility must be considered throughout the user journey.

Vera Winthagen, Deputy Head of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Unit at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, presented the NEB’s contribution to more sustainable and inclusive neighbourhoods. She highlighted the NEB Facility’s support for community-led transformation and innovation, the NEB Academy’s work on skills and knowledge, and the NEB Catalogue as a resource for sharing good practices and supporting replication.

The discussion reinforced that people-centred innovation must be inclusive by design and developed with the communities it serves. Scaling up requires understanding lived experiences, removing physical and cognitive barriers, ensuring affordability and strengthening cooperation between research, policymakers, industry and local communities. This approach can help deliver a built environment that is not only more resilient and sustainable, but also more accessible and responsive to people’s needs.

Special Session on the B4PIC Network

Nerea Gómez, Policy & Project Officer at ECTP, presented the progress of the Built4People Innovation Clusters Network (B4PIC Network) and its role in accelerating innovation across Europe’s built environment. Supported by the NEBULA and STAR*track Coordination and Support Actions, the Network fosters multidisciplinary, locally rooted innovation with European reach, guiding clusters through three stages of maturity: Prospective, Emerging and Established B4PICs. As of October 2026, the Network spans 21 countries across the EU27 and beyond, bringing together 34 B4PICs: 29 Emerging and 5 Prospective clusters. Following the recent closure of a new Expression of Interest call, applications are being assessed, with further interest from Greece, Slovenia, France, Belgium, Sweden and Cyprus. This continued expansion aims to strengthen collaboration and scale up innovation across Europe’s built environment.

Round up and closing

In his closing remarks, Edward Woods thanked the audience for their participation, as well as the organisers, moderators and speakers for their contributions to a day of fruitful discussions and knowledge exchange. The Forum concluded with a shared message: building a more resilient Europe requires moving from ambition to action. From strengthening critical infrastructure and embracing circular construction to scaling up industrialised solutions, harnessing digital technologies and putting people at the heart of innovation, the discussions highlighted the need for stronger collaboration across the entire built environment value chain. Turning these ambitions into lasting impact will require coordinated action from policymakers, industry, researchers and local communities to ensure that innovation translates into practical, scalable solutions for a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient Europe.

THE PRESENTATION SLIDES ARE AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD HERE.

5th Built4People Stakeholders Forum: Full Programme Available

/in ,

The 5th Built4People Partnership Stakeholders Forum, “Building Europe’s Resilient Future”, organised by the European Commission, CINEA, ECTP and ENCORD, is just around the corner.

7 October 2026 | 9:00–16:30 CEST (doors open 8h30)

Buildwise Zaventem, Brussels (Kleine Kloosterstraat 23, 1932 Zaventem)

Bringing together policymakers, industry representatives, researchers and key stakeholders, the Forum will explore how research, innovation and collaboration can contribute to building a more resilient European built environment.

This year’s programme focuses on “From securing Europe’s built environment, to transforming how we use resources, scaling how we build, harnessing intelligence, and ultimately delivering resilient places for people.”

📋 The full programme is now available:

8h30-9h30          Registration and good morning coffee

9h30-9h40          Welcome by the Built4People Partnership Management Team (DG ENER, CINEA, ECTP, ENCORD)

9h40-10h05        Keynote “Resilience by Design: Building a Europe Ready for an Uncertain Future”, Captain João Galocha, Military Counsellor in the Portuguese Delegation to NATO

10h05-11h05      Panel 1: From Vulnerability to Resilience: Securing Europe’s Built Environment, moderated by Sami Kazi, VTT

  • Rita Moura, Director of Innovation, Teixeira Duarte
  • Stergios-Aristoteles Mitoulis, Professor of Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure; Director, UCL Centre for Global Infrastructure Resilience; ​the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College London 
  • Niall Buckley, Senior Project Manager, IES, Resilience of the Built Environment Cluster, Coordinator of the Minority Report project
  • Emmanuelle Frénéat, Group Chief Technical Officer, EGIS

11h05-12h05      Panel 2: Circular by Design: Building Europe’s Resource-Efficient Future, moderated by Cornelia Partsch, ECTP

  • Marianne Haavardsholm Aandahl, National Experto to the EC – Energy; NCP, Horizon Europe – Energy, Research Council of Norway (RCN)
  • Ilari Aho, Head of Glabal Business Sustainability, Georg Fischer
  • Isabel Rodríguez Maribona, Technology Director, Energy, Climate & Global Transition, TECNALIA
  • Valia Tsiala, Senior Technical Offcier, EBC
  • Roy Pennings, Senior EU Projects Manager, CERN

12h05-13h05      Panel 3: From Innovation to Impact: Industrialising and Scaling Up Construction, moderated by Magnus Österbring, ENCORD

  • Natalia Zebrowska, Head of Unit – Construction, EC DG GROW, H1
  • Javier Bonilla Diaz, Senior Manager, Innovation Strategy & Digital, ACCIONA
  • Celina Solari, Senior Innovation R&D Project Manager, RINA, Coordinator of the MULTICLIMACT project
  • Tim van Ee, Consultant & Knowledge Manager – Conceptual and Industrialised Construction Department of Digital Built Environment, TNO
  • Maira Madala, EU Public Affair Manager, Knauf Insulation

13h05-14h05   Lunch break

14h05-15h05      Panel 4: Boosting Competitiveness: AI, Robotics and the Future of the Built Environment, moderated by Vedran Angebrandt, CINEA

  • Stavros Stamatoukos, Policy officer, Digitalisation and AI, EC DG ENER.B4 – Digitalisation, Competitiveness, Research & Innovation
  • José Solís Hernández, Research & Innovation Director, CEMOSA
  • Miguel Segarra, Senior Vice President of Innovation, DRAGADOS
  • Rosie Shapiro, VP of Partnerships, CivicLabs

15h05-16h05      Panel 5: People at the Heart of Resilience: Scaling People-Centred Innovation, moderated by Clémentine Coujard, Dowel Innovation

  • Stefan Moser, Head of the Housing Task Force at European Commission
  • Edward Woods, Head of R&D | Innovation | Venture Capital, Bouygues Construction, ECTP President
  • Masi Mohammadi, Professor and Chair of Smart Architectural Technologies, Eindhoven University of Technology
  • Floridea Di Ciommo, Director of cambiaMO, Coordinator of the InclusiveSpaces project
  • Vera Winthagen, Deputy Head of NEB Unit, Joint Research Centre, European Commission

16h05-16h20      Special Session on B4PIC network, moderated by Nerea Gómez, ECTP

16h20-16h30      Round up and closing

Join us on 7 October 2026 and discover the latest perspectives, initiatives and solutions shaping Europe’s resilient built environment.

Registration closed on 30 September at 17:30 CEST. For last minute registration, please contact info@built4people.eu

Don’t miss the 5th Built4People Partnership Stakeholders Forum: “Building Europe’s Resilient Future”

/in ,

7 October 2026 | 09:00–16:30 CEST

Buildwise Zaventem, Brussels

The countdown is on! The 5th Built4People Partnership Stakeholders Forum, “Building Europe’s Resilient Future”, organised by the European Commission, CINEA, ECTP and ENCORD, will take place on 7 October in Zaventem, Brussels, bringing together policymakers, industry representatives, researchers and key stakeholders to discuss how research, innovation and collaboration can help build a more resilient European built environment.

With an engaging programme of five high-level panels, the Forum will explore key dimensions of resilience, from security and circularity to industrialisation, artificial intelligence, robotics and people-centred innovation.

The event will also feature a special session on the Built4People Innovation Clusters (B4PIC) network, including the signing ceremony of the Built4People Charters by the new B4PICs.

Don’t miss the opportunity to join the conversation and connect with leading voices shaping the resilient, sustainable and people-centred built environment of tomorrow.

👉 Register now and secure your spot here.

DRAFT AGENDA

8h30      Registration and good morning coffee

9h30-13h00 Morning session

Welcome

High-level keynote – focus on the B4P SHF motto: “Building Europe’s Resilient Future”

Panel 1: “From Vulnerability to Resilience: Securing Europe’s Built Environment”

Panel 2: “Circular by Design: Building Europe’s Resource-Efficient Future”

Panel 3: “From Innovation to Impact: Industrialising and Scaling Up Construction”

13h00-14h00     Lunch

14h00-16h30 Afternoon session

Panel 4: “Boosting Competitiveness: AI, Robotics and the Future of the Built Environment”

Panel 5: “People at the Heart of Resilience: Scaling People-Centred Innovation”

Special Session on the B4PIC network, incl. Signing Ceremony of B4PIC Charters by new B4PICs

Closing

16h30 End of the event

Built4People Partnership Stakeholders Forum

/in , ,

Save the date! The 5th Built4People Partnership Stakeholders Forum “Building Europe’s Resilient Future” is coming this October

7 October 2026 | 09h00 – 16h30 CEST

Buildwise Zaventem, Brussels (Kleine Kloosterstraat 23, 1932 Zaventem)

The 5th Built4People Partnership Stakeholders Forum, organised by the European Commission, CINEA, the European Construction and sustainable built environment Technology Platform (ECTP) and the European Network of Construction Companies for Research & Development (ENCORD), will take place on 7 October 2026, from 09:00 to 16:30 CEST, at Buildwise (Kleine Kloosterstraat 23, 1932 Zaventem, Brussels).

Celebrating its fifth edition, this year’s Forum will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and key stakeholders from across Europe to explore how research, innovation and collaboration can strengthen the resilience of the built environment. Under this year’s motto, the event will focus on advancing resilient, sustainable and people-centred solutions to address Europe’s evolving environmental, societal and economic challenges.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with high-level representatives from the European Commission and leading experts through keynote speeches, policy discussions and interactive exchanges. The programme will address some of the most pressing priorities shaping the future of the built environment, including:

  • defence, preparedness, security and technological sovereignty in the built environment;
  • circularity and resource-efficient construction solutions;
  • industrialisation and scale-up in construction;
  • the role of artificial intelligence and robotics in supporting climate resilience and the robustness of the built environment;
  • affordable housing as a driver for inclusive and resilient communities;
  • the New European Bauhaus and the transition beyond pilot projects.

The Forum will also provide an opportunity to discuss the future of the Built4People Partnership, including its phasing-out strategy and legacy towards FP10. In addition, participants will witness the Built4People Innovation Clusters (B4PICs) Charter Signing Ceremony, during which a new cohort of prospective B4PICs will officially sign the Built4People Charter and become Emerging B4PICs. The event will also celebrate the continued growth of the B4PIC community through a Declaration of Further Level of Maturity, recognising the progression of the most advanced B4PICs from Emerging to Established status.

Secure your spot by registering here.

The preliminary agenda will be published soon. Stay tuned for further announcements, including confirmed speakers and the full programme.

How can STAR*track tools help the built environment transition towards a sustainable and competitive future?

/in , , ,

On 22 June 2026, representatives of businesses, academia, and public and professional organisations came together for an event delivered by STAR*track Built4People Innovation Cluster (B4PIC) e-CODOMH to discuss this key question.

The workshop, “Innovation Tools for the Construction Industry: Compliance and Sustainability in the Context of the New CPR 2024”, was opened by George Iliadis, e-CODOMH, and Yiannis Koulizakos, EBETAM A.E. – MIRTEC S.A.. In their opening remarks, both speakers highlighted the importance of compliance, sustainability and innovation in the new era of the building and construction industry.

Compliance and Sustainability Under Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 (CPR)

The first session focused on the new European Union (EU) Construction Products Regulation (CPR), with executives from the General Secretariat for Industry (GSI) presenting the requirements for economic operators and the challenges associated with implementing the regulation.

During the session, presenters emphasised that environmental sustainability in the new regulation is now established as a mandatory and measurable parameter for construction products.

The discussion highlighted the growing importance of sustainability requirements within the European construction sector and the need for businesses to prepare for the new regulatory landscape.

Innovation Tools for the Construction Industry – The STAR*track Tools

The second session showcased a range of practical tools developed through the STAR*track project to support innovation across the built environment.

Konstantina (Dia) Andreouli of e-CODOMH introduced the Greek B4PIC, before a series of presentations explored the project’s available digital tools and resources.

These included:

  • The Metabuilding Platform – Asier Hernandez Minaberry, from prpject partner Metabuilding, presented the platform, its tools and services designed to support the built environment ecosystem.
  • Digital Product Passport (DPP) – Agnese Riccetti, from project partner EcoWise, analysed the Digital Product Passport tool, which aims to become a key information portal for regulators, builders and architects.
  • Funding Opportunities – Vasiliki Tsotoulidi, R-NanoLab, presented a practical guide to European public funding opportunities available to organisations working within the built environment.

Supporting the Transition to a Sustainable Built Environment

The workshop highlighted that incorporating innovation, compliance and sustainability into every area of the built environment is no longer optional—it is a necessity.

By developing practical digital tools and supporting collaboration across industry, research and public organisations, the STAR*track project is helping businesses navigate regulatory change while accelerating the transition towards a more sustainable and competitive European construction sector.

Built4People and the STAR*track project would like to thank all attendees and presenters for their valuable contributions to the event.

Learn more about the STAR*track project.

Expanding the Built4People Innovation Clusters Network: three new B4PICs sign the charter at ECTP Conference 2026

/in , ,

One of the highlights of the ECTP Conference 2026, held in Brussels on 26–27 May, was the session dedicated to the evolution and future development of the Built4People Innovation Clusters (B4PIC)  Network.

The session showcased the progress achieved by the B4PIC Network in strengthening collaboration, accelerating innovation uptake and fostering regional engagement across Europe’s built environment ecosystem. By connecting research organisations, industry actors, public authorities and local stakeholders, B4PICs play a key role in translating European research and innovation results into tangible impact on the ground.

Opening the session, Anastasiya Yurchyshyna, Secretary General of ECTP, recalled the vision and objectives of the Built4People co-programmed partnership under Horizon Europe, highlighting its mission to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable, climate-neutral and people-centric built environment. She also presented the current state of the B4PIC Network, which today brings together 34 B4PICs from 21 countries across the EU and beyond. Of these, 26 had already achieved Emerging B4PIC status, while eight were recognised as Prospective B4PICs, demonstrating the growing interest in joining the network and contributing to its objectives.

A key moment of the session was the B4PIC signing ceremony, during which three Prospective B4PICs officially signed their B4PIC Charters and became Emerging B4PICs:

  • ARIC Cluster (Rioja Association for Innovation in Construction): ARIC is a non-profit association made up of companies and different entities that cover the entire value chain of the construction sector and share an interest in promoting its sustainable and balanced development.

  • Digital Innovation Cluster for the Built Environment (DICE): DICE seeks to establish a value-chain of digital planning and construction for smart buildings and smart cities, and bring a data-driven perspective to B4PIC’s physical-built environment innovation ecosystem (data-driven design and engineering, wireless infrastructures, and digital planning tools).

  • Xylofutur: The national competitiveness cluster for the forest-wood-chemical sector in France, aims to develop the competitiveness of the sector through Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) and to sustainably meet the needs of industry and society while preserving resources.

The signing marked an important milestone in the continued expansion of the network and reaffirmed the commitment of regional innovation ecosystems across Europe to support collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovation deployment in the built environment sector.

As the Built4People Partnership continues to mobilise stakeholders across the value chain, the growing B4PIC Network demonstrates the importance of place-based innovation ecosystems in bringing European research closer to markets, citizens and regions.

The ceremony also highlighted the increasing momentum behind the network and its contribution to amplifying the impact of both Built4People and ECTP activities, creating stronger links between European initiatives and regional implementation. With new members joining and existing clusters further strengthening their activities, the B4PIC Network continues to play a central role in ensuring that innovation reaches the local level and contributes to a more sustainable, resilient and people-centred built environment across Europe.

ECTP Conference 2026 in Brussels: advancing Europe’s competitiveness in the built environment

/in

On 26–27 May 2026, the European Construction and sustainable built environment Technology Platform (ECTP) gathered in Brussels for its biannual conference under the motto “Building Europe’s competitiveness in the built environment: from strategic vision to industrial impact”. 

The event brought together representatives from industry, research, policy and innovation communities across Europe to reflect on how the built environment sector can respond to today’s pressing challenges while strengthening Europe’s long-term competitiveness, sustainability and resilience. 

Discussions throughout the conference highlighted the accelerating transformation of the sector, driven by the need to deliver climate-neutral, resource-efficient and people-centred solutions. A strong emphasis was placed on the role of research and innovation in bridging strategic European Union (EU) ambitions with real industrial deployment, ensuring that new knowledge and technologies translate into tangible impact across the entire value chain. 

Keynote interventions set the tone for the discussions, addressing how cross-sectoral innovation can unlock new opportunities for the construction ecosystem. Topics included the potential of dual-use technologies and the growing importance of systems thinking to maximise value creation in the built environment. 

Across the conference, participants explored how Europe can scale up digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven approaches to improve decision-making, productivity and sustainability. From advanced modelling and real-time monitoring to emerging AI-enabled processes, the discussions reinforced the importance of interoperable data ecosystems and trustworthy digital frameworks to support the green and digital transition. 

Circularity also emerged as a central theme, particularly in relation to the challenges of delivering affordable, resource-efficient housing. The need to integrate circular principles across the full lifecycle of buildings—while addressing regulatory, economic and operational barriers—was widely recognised as essential for achieving Europe’s climate objectives. 

At the same time, innovation in construction processes and technologies was highlighted as a key driver for transformation, with a focus on automation, robotics, advanced design approaches and next-generation digital tools capable of improving safety, productivity and sustainability. 

The conference also reinforced the importance of human-centric approaches, ensuring that innovation in the built environment contributes to inclusive, healthy and liveable spaces for all generations. This vision strongly aligns with the principles of the Built4People Partnership, which aims to catalyse the transition towards a sustainable, climate-neutral, smart and people-centric built environment. 

Within this context, the role of collaboration across European initiatives and networks was clearly emphasised. The evolution of innovation ecosystems such as regional clusters and thematic partnerships demonstrated how coordination across scales—from the local to the European level—can accelerate the uptake of research results and strengthen the impact of innovation on the ground. 

Finally, cultural heritage, regeneration, and emerging frameworks such as digital building logbooks and product passports were also recognised as important enablers of the sector’s transformation, highlighting the need for integrated approaches that combine policy, technology and market uptake. 

Overall, the conference confirmed the growing momentum across Europe to align strategic research agendas with industrial needs and societal priorities. It was also reinforced by the role of ECTP and Built4People in shaping a coherent, impactful innovation ecosystem for the built environment—one that is capable of delivering on Europe’s ambitions for sustainability, competitiveness and quality of life. 

 

From Collaboration to Innovation: Syxis Gathered Europe’s Built Environment Community in Vilnius

/in , ,

Bringing Together the European Built Environment Community

On 13 May 2026, the VILNIUS TECH Sustainability Hub hosted the international conference “From Sustainability to Funded Innovation”, an event organised by the Built4People Innovation Cluster Syxis together with its co-organisers and ecosystem partners, including VILNIUS TECH Sustainability Hub, NCP and Research Council of Lithuania.

The event created a collaborative space where academia, industry, innovation actors and institutional representatives could exchange perspectives on the future of sustainable construction, exploring how shared expertise and cross-sector cooperation can generate concrete pathways toward European innovation initiatives.

Syxis’ Vision: Connecting People, Ideas and Innovation

As an innovation hub active within the European built environment landscape and part of the Built4People Innovation Cluster activities, Syxis designed the event with the objective of strengthening engagement, collaboration and co-creation among stakeholders working on sustainability and innovation. The conference reflected the organisation’s broader mission of connecting people, competences and ideas in order to support transformative pathways capable of shaping a more sustainable future for the sector.

Rather than focusing only on funding opportunities, the event aimed to showcase how effective collaboration ecosystems are created in practice. Through interactive sessions, networking activities and project-oriented discussions, participants explored the dynamics behind successful European partnerships, from consortium building and pilot development to knowledge exchange and stakeholder engagement.

Addressing the Challenges of the Built Environment Transition

Throughout the day, speakers addressed key challenges currently shaping the construction and built environment sectors, including sustainability transitions, circularity, digitalisation and resilience. Discussions highlighted how European frameworks such as Horizon Europe, Built4People and the New European Bauhaus continue to encourage integrated and multidisciplinary approaches to innovation.

Particular attention was given to the importance of pilot-driven methodologies and collaborative experimentation environments. Several presentations showcased how research organisations, companies and local actors can work together to test innovative solutions, validate technologies and accelerate the transition from ideas to scalable implementation scenarios.

The Role of Clusters and Collaborative Ecosystems

One of the central themes of the conference was the value of clusters and innovation communities in enabling meaningful cooperation across Europe. Drawing from experiences connected to the Built4People ecosystem, the event demonstrated how cluster-based collaboration can facilitate matchmaking, shared expertise, proposal development and the creation of long-term strategic partnerships.

The programme also included practical workshop activities focused on European call analysis and collaborative project-building exercises. Participants worked together to identify complementarities between organisations, discuss future pilot scenarios and explore concrete pathways for developing competitive Horizon Europe proposals.

Building the Future Through Engagement and Co-Creation

The Vilnius conference ultimately highlighted the growing importance of ecosystem-building within the European innovation landscape. By combining technical discussions, collaborative workshops and networking opportunities, the event reinforced the idea that the future of the built environment depends not only on technological advancement, but also on the capacity to create connected, engaged and interdisciplinary communities working toward shared sustainability goals.

STAR*track general meeting advances collaboration and innovation in Bolzano

/in ,

This week, STAR*track project partners gathered in Bolzano, Italy, for the project’s three-day bi-annual General Meeting.

Hosted by project partner, Eurac Research, at NOI Techpark, the meeting offered a chance for partners to collaborate, knowledge-share and progress plans to strengthen the Built4People Innovation Cluster (B4PIC) Network, with the collective aim of advancing sustainable and circular innovation across the European built environment.

As well as progress updates and key happenings from across the project, agenda highlights included:

Local Italian innovation

Chiara Dipasquale (Würth Italia) presenting their innovation startegy.

Partners enjoyed a comprehensive overview of the local Italian innovation ecosystem, with a spotlight on relevant case studies that highlight how collaboration between public/private stakeholders, alongside grants, technology transfer, and interdisciplinary platforms, can help drive sustainable advancements in the construction sector.

B4PIC best practices

Project partners discussing B4PIC best practices in Bolzano Italy.

A roundtable session was held to discuss and identify Built4People Innovation Cluster (B4PIC) best practices and lessons learnt so far from STAR*track’s dedicated cluster maturation process.

These practices will be added to a special project booklet (watch this space for its release announcement!).

Site visit: Eurac Research’s laboratories

Eurac’s Façade System Interactions lab, in NOI Techpark, Bolzano, Italy.

Partners had the opportunity to visit Eurac Research’s laboratories, including the Façade System Interactions lab, where innovative building systems are tested to better understand how façade configurations influence energy performance, indoor environmental quality, and occupant comfort. Through real-scale testing and comparative analysis, the laboratory supports the optimisation of sustainable building solutions and demonstrates how research and innovation can help improve the performance and resilience of the built environment.

Workshop on replication

Partners discussed how the B4PIC Network could inspire the creation of other sustainable networks across the European Union (EU) and beyond, and goals for the B4PIC Network’s own sustainability.

Learn more about the Built4People Partnership and STAR*track project.