The urgency of the climate crisis and the construction sector being responsible for more than 40% of GHG emissions requires accelerating the transfer and adoption of climate change mitigation skills and tools to workers, businesses, policy makers, and the public. Therefore, Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced the NEB Academy in November 2022 as a main flagship of the New European Bauhaus.

The initiative will make training materials easily accessible and offer courses in real-time. They are delivered through an international network establishing a growing number of Hubs across Europe that have regional coverage and expertise in specific topics. In this way, these tailored programs support the transition from a linear and fossil-based system to a more circular, regenerative and distributive economy designed to thrive within the planetary boundaries.

The NEB Academy aims to raise awareness, improve skills, and encourage commitment among stakeholders to drive change. Enhancing biobased industrialisation and digitalisation in the construction sector, the second largest industrial ecosystem in the EU, will create opportunities to attract young talent and skilled workers, contributing to the growth of the circular bioeconomy and the EU Green Deal. The initiative supports the goal of creating 160,000 additional green jobs in the EU construction sector through the Renovation Wave.

The NEB Academy will establish an open marketplace to match high quality training offers with skills needs and demands of different target groups. Setting up a central portal and database of certified training materials, courses, and modules, along with a selection of best practices in pedagogies it will enable widespread scaling of training on bio-based materials in sustainable construction. The curated NEB Academy course catalogue, validated according to thematic domains and NEB values, will allow trainers and trainees to immediately find the best suited training opportunities.

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“Providing training for actors all across the construction ecosystem, and spread all around Europe, will help increase the use of biomaterials and ensure more people have access to healthy, beautiful buildings for work, living, and learning.”

Prof. Andreja Kutnar, University of Primorska, Slovenia, Coordinator of NEBA Alliance

 

“I welcome the New European Bauhaus Academy Alliance, a powerhouse of 14 European partners, ready to launch its EU-wide training network. It will be a solid support for Europe's construction industry, addressing labour shortages and promoting knowledge sharing including on sustainable bio-based solutions, like the circular use of wood and other innovative materials.”

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

 

“The New European Bauhaus is about bringing the European Green Deal to our living spaces. To make it a success, we need to equip our construction sector with the skills and knowledge it needs to tap into the potential of sustainable solutions. This is where the NEB Academy will make a difference.”

Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

 

“I welcome the New European Bauhaus Academy Alliance which, through its diverse expertise across the EU, will address skill gaps in the sustainable and circular construction sector and create better employment opportunities at the regional and national level, while promoting high-quality and inclusiveness in construction.

Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms

 

 

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Source of original EC press release: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6593

NEB Festival Forum 2024 – official launch of the NEBA Alliance: https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/festival/forum_en

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