Twelve ‘Built environment’ projects gather in Brussels to share their experiences and recommendations

On September 25th 2023, representatives from twelve projects funded under Horizon Europe, and developing solutions for building renovation, met at the invitation of the European Commission to share their experience, challenges and good practices.

These projects were funded under energy efficiency-related calls and under the Built4People partnership. Were represented: NEBULA, co-organiser of the event, DRIVE O, RINNO, SUREFIT, e-SAFE, InCUBE, inperso, EBENTO, FORTESIE, AEGIR, RE-SKIN and REHOUSE.

Clustering-event-pic-webp

After an introduction by CINEA and DG ENER, the agenda included an introduction to the Built4People partnership and the recent launch of the Built4People Innovation Cluster network, a short presentation of each project, and some working sessions.

The two parallel working sessions, respectively focused on Innovative technological solutions, and Digital solutions, business models and construction workflows, addressed the following themes:

  • State of the art and progress brought by each project
  • Challenges faced by the projects
  • Lessons learnt and success stories
  • Policy Recommendations
  • Proposal of topics for the upcoming B4P calls
  • Synergies between projects.

All presentations can be downloaded here.

The brainstorming material (sticky notes and paper boards) are also available below:

For any question or request regarding this even, please contact clementine.coujard@dowel.eu

Europe’s sustainable built environment initiative gains momentum: Built4People Innovation Cluster Network launches to accelerate sustainable innovation

Press release

Today (25 September 2023) the Built4People (B4P) partnership announced the launch of a new network of innovation clusters, to action sustainable innovation and help hit EU climate targets for Europe’s ageing building stock, which is lagging behind in the green transition.  

The B4P public-private partnership (B4PIC) between the European Commission and two of Europe’s leading built environment associations, European Construction, built environment, and energy-efficient buildings Technology Platform (ECTP) and World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) was set up in 2021 to channel around €800 million into research and innovation for the sector. The partners are now calling for clusters of businesses to join the Built4People Innovation Cluster (B4PIC) Network. The B4PIC network will help the industry to scale up new solutions, products and services aligned with the ambitions of the EU Green Deal and New European Bauhaus.

The B4P partners welcome existing hubs or clusters to join the multidisciplinary European network to engage, connect, and scale sustainable innovations across Europe. 

The built environment currently accounts for a staggering 39% of global CO2 emissions, which continue to rise. The EU has a target to upgrade 35 million homes by the end of the decade and new legislation under development may make it mandatory for all new buildings to be Zero Emissions by 2028. Currently however, investments in the sector are way off track, with an estimated annual shortfall of some €282 billion needed to upgrade just the existing building stock. 

Unlocking this investment and delivering on the EU’s ambitious goals requires a major shift in the way sustainable buildings are delivered. The construction sector has not kept pace with productivity gains seen in other sectors in past decades and has been one of the slowest to exploit opportunities from digitalisation.

The complexity and fragmentation of the sustainable built environment ecosystem necessitates the involvement of all players across the value chain and building lifecycle to achieve holistic transformation. However, waiting for innovations to scale organically is insufficient. Innovations require the right conditions and networks to reach the market quickly. The new network of B4PICs will play a crucial role in incubating solutions and accelerating their maturity levels, benefiting companies of all sizes. Crucially, this also means increasing the chances of successful outcomes from the dozens of projects the EU is funding under the B4P Partnership.

Driving productivity, growth, and efficiency

By leveraging their collaborative ecosystems, expertise and resources, clusters within B4PICs can accelerate the development, adoption, and scale-up of green technologies and solutions. Research indicates that innovation clusters yield substantial benefits including:

  1. Increased Productivity: Companies within innovation clusters are around 40% more productive than non-clustered organisations, according to the European Cluster Observatory. Additionally, a study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) revealed that innovation cluster companies experience an average a productivity growth rate of 1.2% per year, compared to 0.5% for non-clustered firms. 
  2. Accelerated Growth: The Global Cluster Observatory reported that companies in innovation clusters experience 2.5 times faster employment growth and generate 18% higher gross value added (GVA) compared to non-clustered firms. 
  3. Scale and Supply Chain Efficiency: Collaboration within clusters can result in up to a 48% reduction in supply chain lead time, positively impacting productivity, as published in the International Journal of Production Economics.

Unlocking the Potential: B4PIC Network’s offer and added value 

B4PIC candidates will be engaged in an evolution or transformation process to enhance their maturity levels. Participants can benefit from:

  • Improved visibility towards the European Commission and the major European stakeholders from across the built environment.
  • Facilitate adoption and uptake of innovative solutions aligned with the New European Bauhaus, thanks to increased awareness of the benefits of innovation and better access to co-financing. 
  • Intensified cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary peer learning from front runners, fostering cross-border cooperation and networking. 
  • Preparation for long-lasting activities within the network of B4P Innovation Clusters, with integration opportunities for subsequent clusters.

Key services and support 

The set-up of this new B4PIC network is supported by the NEBULA project. Funded by the Built4People Partnership, as part of the NEBULA, supports B4PIC candidate clusters with a dedicated timeline and step-by-step integration of the 6 B4PIC success factors, helping clusters to reach maturity levels faster.

NEBULA provides a range of key services to assist clusters on their transformative journey, including:

  • Finance toolbox encompassing public and private funding of innovation
  • Match-making sessions to foster valuable connections 
  • Capacity-building workshops tailored for clusters 
  • Handbook for the New European Bauhaus (NEB)
  • NEB Advisors to support and promote events and materials
  • Peer-learning webinars
  • Dedicated clusters module on the METABUILDING platform 
  • Identification and promotion of EU-funded innovations. 

How can clusters join the B4PIC network? 

Existing hubs or clusters across Europe are invited to complete an expression of interest form. Upon submission, applicants will receive further information regarding the subsequent steps to initiate the application process.

The firsts members of the Built4People Innovation Cluster network, ERAIKUNE (Basque Country Construction Cluster) and ODEYS (Cluster construction et aménagements durables in Nouvelle-Aquitaine), signed the B4PIC charter, confirming their participation in the network on 18 September 2023. These clusters will collaborate to mobilise innovation in the building and construction sector in the Euroregion Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Euskadi, Navarra.

For inquiries about the process, please contact info@built4people.eu

Paul CARTUYVELS, Bouygues Europe Executive Director and ECTP President:

“For us at Bouygues, innovation is at the very core of our business model as we strive to meet the major challenges facing our customers and society and to speed up our response to environmental challenges. That is why we support the efforts of the Built4People partnership and the NEBULA project and welcome the launch of this new international network of innovation clusters and the potential it brings for new collaborations and rapid scaling of new solutions.”

Thomas Fuhr, Chief Technology Officer, Uponor:

“Uponor is committed to a step change in innovation and new technology development, and we recognise that this requires creating synergies across our business and beyond. Collaboration is key to sustainable business development and partnerships like Built4People, and this new network of innovation clusters can help businesses like ours to work with partners and customers to lead the construction industry towards net zero.”

Fernando Sigchos Jiménez, Secretary General, European Builders Confederation:

“EBC represents the interests of the building sector’s micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs to ensure they can play their part in helping the European Union respond to challenges such as job growth, youth unemployment, digital economy, energy efficiency, circular economy and more – goals that are well aligned with the Built4People Partnership. We welcome the formation of this new network of innovation clusters for the opportunity it offers construction SMEs to get closer to the innovation community, to generate ever more useful synergies to meet the challenge of massive renovation of Europe’s built environment and buildings.”

[ENDS]

 

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

For further information contact:

Tessa Eydmann-Peel, Marketing and Communications Manager, WorldGBC

Email: teydmannpeel@worldgbc.org

T: +447932491571

 

 

About European Construction, built environment, and energy-efficient buildings Technology Platform (ECTP) 

ECTP brings together the built environment and construction industry stakeholders to promote innovation in the sector. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and cooperation, ECTP aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the European built environment.

About WorldGBC

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) is the largest and most influential local-regional-global action network, leading the transformation to sustainable and decarbonised built environments for everyone, everywhere.
Together, with 75+ Green Building Councils and industry partners from all around the world, we are driving systemic changes to:
Address whole life carbon emissions of existing and new buildings

  • Enable resilient, healthy, equitable and inclusive places 
  • Secure regenerative, resource-efficient and waste-free built environments

We work with businesses, organisations and governments to deliver on the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs). 

Find out more at www.worldgbc.org

 

About the Architects’ Council of Europe

The Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) is the representative organisation for the architectural profession at European level: it aspires to speak with a single voice on its behalf in order to achieve its aims.
Its growing membership currently consists of 51 Member Organisations, which are the regulatory and professional representative bodies in all European Union (EU) Member States, Accession Countries, the UK, Switzerland and Norway, and 5 Observers Members Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, Montenegro, RH of Macedonia). Through them, the ACE represents the interests of over half a million architects from 35 countries in Europe.

Find out more at www.ace-cae.eu

 

About R2M Solution

R2M is a research and innovation company passionate about making the world a better place. Half of its activities are in Research and Innovation – the realisation of new knowledge, products and services typically in the framework of collaborative European research. The other half focuses on the commercialisation, early adoption and scaling of new products and services that disrupt markets and solve problems. R2M operates most in the sustainability sector where it is deeply engaged in energy, buildings, construction and the smart grid. It also works in the Green Building Council and are distributors on its territories for some of Europe’s most exciting tools and technologies.

 

The R2M major role in NEBULA is to cooperate with NEB and Knowledge sharing on the NEB platform, identification of innovations with high market potential, analysis of fundraising opportunities and coordinated participation in events.

Find out more at www.r2msolution.com

 

About Dowel Innovation

We are a cooperative consulting company specialising in Innovation Strategy and Management. We work as a team, in a spirit of collaboration and mutual support. The environmental transition is at the heart of our business and our values. We provide a range of services relating to all phases of the innovation lifecycle, with a specialisation in low carbon energy systems, sustainable and smart cities and energy efficient buildings.

Find out more at https://dowel.eu/ 

 

About NOBATEK/INEF4

The French Institute for Energy and Environmental Transition in the Construction Industry is an applied research centre that aspires to drive and facilitate mutations in the building industry to guarantee a viable future. The ambition is to be the leading partner for those seeking to increase their environmental and social commitment. The mission is to design and transfer, with conviction and inventiveness, new models, products and services for sustainable construction and renovation.

Find out more at: https://www.nobatek.inef4.com/

 

About TECNALIA

TECNALIA is the largest centre of applied research and technological development in Spain, a benchmark in Europe and a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance. We collaborate with companies and institutions to improve their competitiveness, people’s quality of life and achieve sustainable growth.

 TECNALIA contributes to the positive transformation and development of the city and the region through a set of urban solutions serving a smart city vision, and the application of high-impact state-of-the-art technologies. And it advocates for a people-centred urban model aligned with the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Find out more at: https://www.tecnalia.com/en

 

 

 

Everything you ever wanted to know on the New European Bauhaus is in NEBULA’s handbook!

NEBULA just published its handbook on the New European Bauhaus, addressed to any person or entity willing to understand the concepts underlying the NEB initiative.

It gives you insights on the origin and what the initiative is about, how to access the community and resources and, most importantly, how you can make your project “NEB by design” and where to get funding to support your NEB project. All of that in the most easily digestible format.

The report is illustrated with plenty of NEB projects examples, organised along the three NEB core values: “Beautiful”, “Sustainable”, “Inclusive”. This facilitates the report’s understanding and will, hopefully, help spark many creative ideas all around Europe!

Do you want to learn more on the New European Bauhaus? Don’t hesitate to also visit the dedicated website managed by the EC, where you can learn even more and get involved in the community.

 

Stay tuned for the next NEBULA’s activities on the NEB, to come this autumn:

  • NEBULA is gathering a network of NEB advisors, to help spread the word and disseminate NEB information to their own networks. If you are interested to learn and share, contact clementine.coujard@dowel.eu
  • NEBULA will also organised a series of six peer-learning events, to present NEB projects and expand the NEB principles to communities of practitioners that are not yet informed on the topic. If you foresee a specific need or wish our support to organise a similar event, you can also contact: clementine.coujard@dowel.eu

We’re looking forward to exchange with you on these exciting topics!

New resources available to support you in finding funding opportunities!

Both reports have been prepared by partners of the NEBULA Project and address innovators and intermediaries of the built environment (SMEs, start-ups, research centres etc.), and particularly innovation clusters and their members. These reports represent the first building blocks of the funding toolbox, which will be made available on the Built4People website (from September 2023).

Below are links and a short description of each of these new resources:

Review of the most promising co-financing models to foster open innovation

Introduces the funding and financing landscape for innovators (mains stakeholders, funding programmes etc.), enhanced with concrete examples (of funding opportunities and start-ups funding’s pathways) from the NEBULA target countries: Finland, France, Hungary, Italy and Spain. Finally, it presents a set of recommendations for innovators from the built environment looking to raise funds. See the full report here

First report on public and private fundraising opportunities

Presents a selection of currently available fundraising opportunities. See the full report here

A more complete and interactive database can be found on the Metabuilding platform (here).

 

Main stakeholders of the innovation funding and financing landscape – from NEBULA’s report “Review of the most promising co-financing models to foster open innovation”

NEBULA is on!

⚡️ We are supercharging #sustainable #innovation in the built environment sector with our new #NebulaB4P

NEBULA is a bold new EU-funded initiative, set to convene a powerful network of innovators to drive disruption and accelerate transformation of the built environment sector.

This project has received funding from the European Union #horizoneurope #research and #innovation programme.

Launched under the umbrella of the #Built4People Partnership, NEBULA will establish a network of Built4People Innovation Clusters, connecting and scaling sustainable innovations across #Europe!
Find out more: https://bit.ly/3PkMVPZ

About the partners:
ACE has joined forces with the following NEBULA partners and
affiliates:
@Cluster de la Construcción
@Croatia Green Building Council
@ DowelInnovation
@ECTP Secretariat
EMI
Federazione Delle Costruzioni
Green Building Council Finland
Irish Green Building Council
NOBATEK/INEF4
Odéys
PLGBC Polish Green Building Council
R2M Solution
Serbia Green Building Council
TECNALIA Research & Innovation
World Green Building Council

Webinar about upcoming funding opportunities for Energy in the Horizon Europe programme

Would you like to learn more about upcoming funding opportunities for Energy in the Horizon Europe programme? Join our webinar on 19th July to hear about upcoming calls and learn more about the “Built4People” funding opportunities from Alain Zarli, Secretary General of the European Construction Technology Platform.

Agenda

  • Welcome & Housekeeping: Viola Hay | Innovate UK KTN
  • Introduction: Conall McGinley | Innovate UK
  • Introduction to Destinations 3 & 4 (mention upcoming Work Programme). Guarantee and recently launched IFS system: Conall McGinley | Innovate UK
  • Overview of Built4People: Alain Zarli, ECTP – Secretary General
  • Call to action – The support available to potential applicants (NCPs, KTN, Innovate UK Edge): Conall McGinley Innovate UK & Viola Hay | Innovate UK KTN
  • Q&A
  • Close

Speakers

  • Conall McGinley, Horizon Europe UK National Contact Point for Energy & Global Innovation Lead for Energy | Innovate UK
  • Alain Zarli, Secretary General | ECTP
  • Viola Hay, Knowledge Transfer Manager – European Programmes | Innovate UK KTN

This webinar has been completed.

Find the slides here.