The Green Growth project: integrating the circular economy into the European construction sector
The Green Growth project aimed to address the challenges of integrating the circular economy into the European construction sector through comprehensive training and capacity building for trainers. Co-funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ programme, the project ran from 2020 to 2023. It was developed by six institutions from five European countries: Spain, Germany, Belgium, Slovenia, and Italy.
The project was created to reduce the construction sector’s CO2 emissions by implementing strategies that reinforce the circular economy, particularly in building renovation. The project’s labour market analysis was conducted with companies, industry organisations and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) institutions and identified current and future market demands.
Project partners worked with educational institutions to develop curricula that incorporated the new skills and knowledge identified, including specific modules on the circular economy, energy use, sustainability and waste management in the construction industry.
The project aimed to:
- deliver training resources and provide training for construction TVET trainers on circular economy principles and the practical skills required for emerging applications
- reinforce social and environmental awareness among construction TVET trainers, workers and SMEs
- develop a sustainable strategy that incorporates circular economy principles into the culture of TVET centres.
In 2024, the project was recognised as an Innovation and Learning Practice by the Expert Group BILT on Building and Construction from UNESCO-UNEVOC.
The following products were developed in multiple languages:
- ‘Circular Economy in practice’ handbook: Teaching material and real-life case studies for construction trainers.
- An app on circular principles in renovation work: Reference tool for workers and SMEs.
- Case studies and exercises: Resources for trainers on the application of the circular economy in practice.
- Circular economy recommendations: Roadmap for adopting key principles in TVET centres as a permanent part of their culture.
- Circular Economy Skills course: Five-module MOOC course for construction sector trainers, designed to promote lifelong learning and foster the adoption of European circularity principles, including recycling, waste reduction and green economy practices to combat climate change.