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 at ACCIONA | Innovation Management | Partnerships & Alliances | Digital engineering and construction, 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

Help map R&I Gaps for the New European Bauhaus

/in , ,

NEB Junction, the NEB Hub for Results and Impact, has launched a survey to identify Research & Innovation gaps, implementation barriers and future priorities for the R&I component of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility, as well as how it connects to the Roll-out component.

The primary purpose of this survey is to identify Research and Innovation gaps related to the R&I component of the NEB Facility, the funding instrument of the New European Bauhaus initiative. Furthermore, it aims to identify implementation barriers, future priorities for the NEB Facility and links between its R&I and Roll-out components.

The survey targets stakeholders involved in the New European Bauhaus Initiative, especially those from public administration and the construction sector. Other actors are encouraged to complete the survey as well. Your insights will contribute to recommendations for shaping the future NEB Facility.

The survey is especially keen to hear from the construction sector. Your input will directly feed into recommendations for shaping the future NEB Facility!

📝 Take the survey (~15-20 min): NEB Facility Survey

📅 The survey is open until 6 October
💡 Not familiar with the NEB Facility yet? Consult the NEB Facility factsheet first

New opportunity for clusters across Europe to join the Built4People Innovation Cluster Network!

/in ,

3rd Expression of Interest: Join the Built4People Innovation Cluster (B4PIC) Network

On 21 August 2026, STAR*track will launch the third Expression of Interest (EoI) for innovation clusters to join the Built4People Innovation Cluster (B4PIC) Network.

The EoI is open to innovation clusters and hubs in EU Member States and beyond, working across the whole Built Environment ecosystem and committed to advancing the objectives of the Built4People (B4P) Partnership and the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB).

A B4PIC brings together innovation-driven stakeholders across the Built Environment value chain at local and regional level. The B4PIC Network connects these ecosystems across Europe, creating a space for peer learning, knowledge exchange, collaboration and joint action, while strengthening links between local and regional innovation and the wider European R&I landscape.

Joining the B4PIC Network is an opportunity for clusters to learn from and contribute to a growing European community of Built Environment innovation ecosystems. B4PICs are expected to actively engage in the network by sharing experiences and best practices, participating in peer-learning and knowledge-exchange activities, exploring collaboration opportunities, and contributing to relevant future initiatives and calls.

As part of the network, clusters can also benefit from:

  • stronger connections with European and international innovation ecosystems;
  • opportunities to identify and engage in R&I and funding opportunities;
  • exchange with other clusters and Built4People stakeholders on common challenges and solutions;
  • guidance and knowledge exchange on integrating New European Bauhaus values and principles into innovation activities;
  • increased visibility of their ecosystem and activities at European level;
  • opportunities to connect with European institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

We are particularly interested in committed and active innovation ecosystems that see value not only in what the B4PIC Network can offer them, but also in what they can bring to the wider community.

Submit your Expression of Interest here to join the B4PIC Network by 14 September 2026.

For further information or enquiries, please contact info@built4people.eu 

Updates from the latest EU Innovation Finance Forum

/in , ,

What is the EU Innovation Finance Forum? 

The EU Innovation Finance Forum is a key element of STAR*track’s aim to facilitate access to finance opportunities and seeks to unlock private innovation finance in clean technology and new business models in the built environment, with a view to increase EU competitiveness. 

From first contact to funding 

The journey from identifying initial funding requirements to securing a tangible funding opportunity is rarely straightforward. Discussions in the EU Innovation Finance Forum showed that, when searching for an investor, understanding which type of funding best fits the company’s situation is crucial, as is finding the right match, building trust and improving readiness. 

Lessons learnt from the latest forum: 

Define the right funding need 

Forum discussions highlighted that innovators should identify what type of funding they need prior to approaching investors. 

Innovators often approach investors when they need new financing, but the term ‘private funding’ can mean different things, including debt, equity, blended finance, corporate-backed opportunities or public-private instruments. 

The message is clear: identify exactly what is needed before starting to look for funders. 

Targeted matchmaking matters 

Participants stressed that networking alone is ineffective when investors and innovators are not aligned on sector, geography, maturity or mandate. More selective, in-person formats were seen as valuable for building meaningful connections. 

Finding the right match is essential both for innovators and investors, but broad networking is not enough. Conversations are often poorly targeted, as innovators sometimes forget to research who they are addressing and why they want to be matched. This often leads to a mismatch in terms of mandate, geography, or sector focus. 

Participants of the Forum highlighted the importance of more selected formats, with a preference for in-person matchmaking: short one-to-one meetings, and clearer pre-selection.  

Trust is essential on both sides 

Even with the right matchmaking, mistrust can prevent effective communication on both sides and can ultimately become a barrier to financing. Founders may worry that investors will push them in directions misaligned with their vision to maximise profits, and investors may worry about unrealistic assumptions and a lack of credibility. 

Relationship-building skills, integrity and due diligence were all identified by forum members as key to overcome potential mistrust.  

Overinflated company valuations could also potentially be viewed as a red flag by investors, with the potential to damage trust and cause investors to back out. At the same time, trust must go both ways: investors also need to show that they can be reliable partners who support both the growth of the company and positive outcomes for their founders. 

Public and private finance can work together 

Public and private funding should not always be seen as opposing factors. In many cases, they can be combined as part of the innovation journey. There already exists an existing range of EU-level instruments that combine public and private logic.  

Programmes such as the EIC Accelerator, EIT Manufacturing, and other smaller initiatives can be a first step to help innovators move forward while preparing for private capital.  

The support of well-known institutions via accelerator participation, demonstrations with large corporations or public institutions and strong partnerships can all strengthen investors’ confidence.  

These signals do not replace due diligence, but they help show that a solution has already been tested or challenged in a meaningful way. 

To summarise 

The main lesson from this meeting of the EU Innovation Finance Forum was that private funding is not only about access to the funding itself; it is a journey that usually starts with a financing need but depends on trust, requires capacity building, and necessitates seeing the investors as partners. 

Funding discussions, therefore, can only begin with the right match, the right preparation, and enough trust to move forward.  

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.

Innovation in action: unlocking data and digitalisation for smarter buildings in Europe’s built environment

/in ,

As Europe’s built environment becomes increasingly digital, secure data sharing, interchangable platforms and intelligent systems are becoming essential to improve building performance, enable smarter decision-making and accelerate the clean energy transition.

From data space connectivity to integrated renovation platforms and service-level energy optimisation, digital innovation is reshaping how buildings, systems and users interact across the energy and information and communication technology (ICT) landscape.

Through its engagement with European Union (EU)-funded projects, STAR*track is identifying and showcasing innovations that are being developed, tested and deployed across Europe.

This article brings together a growing portfolio of data and digitalisation-focused solutions that address the challenge from different angles, from secure data exchange systems to user-driven sustainable digital infrastructure.

Please note: This page will be updated regularly as additional projects and innovations are added.

 

Featured data and digitalisation projects and innovations:

WeForming – Data Space Connector

Innovation type: Software
Innovation development status: under development (MVP 2.0)

A secure and interoperable data-sharing solution that:

  • enables seamless and sovereign sharing of datasets and energy applications across intelligent grid-forming buildings (iGFBs)
  • provides a modular connector with local data storage, data management and a user-friendly interface
  • supports interoperability through alignment with European Common Energy Data Spaces
  • introduces Connector-as-a-Service (CaaS), enabling buildings to connect to data spaces without complex hardware or software installations.

Learn more about WeForming.

EBENTO – One-Stop-Shop Platform for Energy Performance Contracting and Renovation

Innovation type: Software / System
Innovation development status: Under development (TRL 7–8, public testing phase)

A collaborative digital renovation platform that:

  • brings together renovation design, financing, contracting and performance monitoring within a single platform
  • uses BIM-based simulations to compare technical and financial renovation scenarios
  • includes digital Energy Performance Contracts (EnPC), smart contracts and digital logbooks to improve transparency and traceability
  • helps reduce transaction costs while strengthening collaboration and citizen engagement throughout the renovation process.

Learn more about EBENTO.

EXIGENCE – Per-Service Energy Consumption in Sustainable 6G

Innovation type: System / Technology
Innovation development status: Under development (TRL 4 validated in lab and 5G testbed environments)

A service-layer energy optimisation approach that:

  • measures and optimises energy consumption and carbon emissions at the service level rather than only the infrastructure level
  • encourages users to adopt lower-carbon service options through dynamic incentive mechanisms
  • connects ICT performance with carbon markets to support commercially viable, sustainability-driven operations
  • contributes to international standardisation, helping accelerate the adoption of greener digital infrastructure.

Learn more about EXIGENCE.

Next steps

These innovations aim to demonstrate how secure data spaces, integrated digital platforms and service-level optimisation can transform how buildings and digital systems operate, supporting greater efficiency, transparency and sustainability across Europe’s built environment.

STAR*track will continue to engage with EU-funded projects and expand this overview, highlighting practical and emerging solutions as they are developed, tested and deployed across Europe.

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.

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.