Enhancing Market Readiness for nZEB Implementation

Project Information

nZEB Ready

Grant agreement ID: 101033733

DOI

10.3030/101033733

Project closed

EC signature date 28 April 2021

Start date 1 September 2021

End date 31 October 2024

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 1 098 525,00

EU contribution

€ 1 098 525,00

Coordinated by

INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN CONSTRUCTII URBANISM SI DEZVOLTARE TERITORIALA DURABILA URBAN-INCERC
Romania

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - nZEB Ready (Enhancing Market Readiness for nZEB Implementation)

Reporting period: 2023-03-01 to 2024-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

While there are many initiatives for development of educational and training programmes regarding energy efficiency and RES in buildings and integrating them in the national curricula, the current training schemes are still not satisfactory for effective nZEB implementation, while the recourse to skilled professionals for renovations and new constructions of buildings is not usual practice. At the same time, the interest of the young generation towards the construction sector is continuously decreasing, due to unfavourable reputation of the profession and lack of awareness of the opportunities for career development and professional growth.
Within this context, the overall goal of the nZEB Ready project was to stimulate the demand for energy-related skills of construction workers, specialists in the 5 involved countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Portugal, Poland, and Romania) and to increase the market readiness for an effective nZEB implementation: (1) by addressing the key identified barriers of nZEB implementation in focused markets, (2) by supporting the enhancement of skills framework by new market-driven mutual recognition training and certification scheme for nZEB deployment to facilitate the necessary legislative changes, and (3) through development and communication of toolboxes, tailored guidance and practical support to engage homeowners and public authorities to reach the nZEB benefits.
This was achieved through the preparation of ready to use frameworks to answer the needs related to lack of awareness, skilled professionals and support instruments, by implementing the nZEB ready labelled procedures in the target/pilot countries to obtain a broader range of results, for further replication in a wider use at the European level.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The nZEB Ready has invested significant efforts to develop knowledge repository, awareness raising campaigns (based on target groups research and needs identification) and 13 key nZEB training programs (https://platform.nzebready.eu/training-programmes/) for specialisation of already qualified workforce and support tools for facilitating the implementation of nZEB standard in current administration and financing practice, involving partners in a collaborative process enabled by intensive peer review activities, thus improving the understanding of the needs and demands of the targeted stakeholders’ groups.
The implementation of the strategy aimed to attract local users and to engage new industrial and educational partners to stimulate the demand of nZEB-related skills and competences in the construction sector. As a result, a total of 12 national conferences were organised in the 5 countries reaching nearly 1000 participants, 16 regional workshops reached 565 participants, and 19 study tours reached 324 participants, while more than 25,000 participants were directly involved in 15 webinars.
A total of 97 training courses engaged 2,537 participants—160% of the initial target—equipping professionals, public authorities, and industry stakeholders with essential nZEB skills. Additionally, the project fostered 58 documented collaborations with producers and distributors of nZEB-ready materials. These partnerships, combined with impactful training programs, significantly advanced the adoption of energy-efficient building practices across Europe.
The communication and dissemination activities of the nZEB Ready project have delivered significant results, effectively advancing the adoption of nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB) across Europe. Over 12,700 stakeholders participated in more than 150 events, exceeding the initial targets. The project secured extensive media coverage, with a total of 258 publications, reaching a broad audience and effectively raising awareness of the benefits of nZEB practices. Partner countries actively engaged with professional journals and industry platforms, complementing the outreach through general media and social networks to solidify the project’s presence in the public discourse. The 584 social media posts generated hundreds of thousands impressions and building a follower base of 8,500+ across platforms. These efforts ensured widespread visibility and engagement with nZEB concepts and practices.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The nZEB Ready project has developed a strong foundation for promoting nearly zero- energy buildings with easily applicable resources like the detailed training schemes, the procurement guide and the relevant supporting tools, all united in a comprehensive Replication Roadmap framework accessible for all interested parties. The nZEB Ready platform (https://platform.nzebready.eu) serves newcomers and experienced professionals alike, helping users stay informed about the latest industry insights. Interactive features, such as gamification and peer-to-peer sharing, create an engaging experience that encourages users to exchange ideas and best practices in a shared vision for sustainable growth.
Moving forward, these tools have significant potential to benefit both the project team and a wider range of stakeholders across Europe. The Replication Roadmap serves as a strategic guide to help other regions and contexts adopt nZEB practices. It offers practical insights into raising awareness, delivering training, providing support tools, and building localized replication profiles.
The nZEB Ready project has been instrumental in advancing sustainable construction practices and support the transition to nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEBs) by delivering targeted training programs, interactive engagement events, and fostering collaborations among stakeholders in all participant countries.
Bulgaria’s nZEB Ready activities have significantly enhanced local capacity for energy-efficient construction. With a better continuous professional development framework and increased acceptance of nZEB standards, Bulgaria is now better positioned to support a resilient and sustainable construction sector.
The project’s outcomes in Croatia, including a stronger market for nZEBs and an increased pool of trained professionals, have set the foundation for new initiatives like CRO4skills. By building on the achievements of nZEB Ready, Croatia is better-positioned to transition smoothly to Zero-Energy Buildings (ZEBs), ensuring a sustainable and energy-efficient future.
In Poland the nZEB Ready project has laid a solid foundation for energy-efficient construction. These efforts ensure that Poland remains on track to achieve its sustainable construction goals and contribute to a greener, energy-efficient future.
In Portugal the nZEB Ready project has significantly enhanced the capacity of the construction sector for energy-efficient practices. The well-executed training programs have equipped a new generation of professionals with the skills to implement nZEB standards, while active engagement with the public sector has fostered a regulatory framework supportive of sustainable construction.
In Romania, the nZEB Ready project contributed to equip professionals with essential skills in energy efficiency, supporting the country’s sustainable construction and renovation goals. Building on nZEB Ready’s successes, Romania aims to expand training access, deepen engagement with public authorities, and further apply the developed certification schemes through initiatives like the Renovation Wave, to advance toward a more sustainable, energy-efficient, and resilient construction sector.

Awareness activities in Bulgaria (2)

Training activities in Portugal (1)

Training activities in Poland (2)

Training activities in Poland (1)

Training activities in Portugal (2)

Awareness activities in Romania (2)

Training activities in Croatia (1)

Training activities in Romania

Awareness activities in Bulgaria (1)

Training activities in Bulgaria

Awareness activities in Romania (1)

Training activities in Croatia (2)

Awareness activities in Poland

Awareness activities in Portugal