The Green Growth project: integrating the circular economy into the European construction sector

The Green Growth project logo with a visual of a green house
Start/End date
to
Ongoing
No
Type of funding
Description

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.

Main results

The following products were developed in multiple languages: