Fundación Laboral de la Construcción is participating in four new European projects, awarded during the summer period, in addition to the 19 already in progress. For the first time, the joint entity is part of an initiative belonging to Urban Innovative Actions (UIA) programme, financed with almost five million euros, the objective is to increase sustainability of the sector through urban promotion and the reduction of energy poverty. The other three, under Erasmus+ programme, focus on specialised skills in waste management in construction, as well as the professionalization of the sector through innovative, sustainable and BIM-based training.

All of them contemplate some of the main areas reflected in 2020 Construction Strategy "Strategy for a sustainable competitiveness of the construction sector and its companies", in order to achieve European objectives of energy efficiency, digitalisation, circular economy; professional mobility, labour insertion, qualification and professionalization; and to achieve a visibility and boost of the sector's competitiveness, in order to make it an attractive professional option for young people and women.

Urban Impulse

Urban areas face multiple challenges related to employment, migration, demography and pollution. However, cities are also positioning themselves as an engine for the creation of a new model that offers solutions to emerging needs.

In order to respond to these increasingly complex challenges, Getafe City Council is launching the project 'Intelligence Unit on Energy Poverty', led by  municipality of Getafe, which has the experience and knowledge of Fundación Laboral de la Construcción. The joint entity will be responsible for coordinating the communication and dissemination of this project, as well as participating in the development of other phases of this initiative, which will last three years.

The consortium, made up of nine national partners, will have nearly five million euros to work on the creation of an intelligent data analysis system, focused on identifying households in situations of energy poverty to offer solutions and tools to improve the quality of a more sustainable life.

This is the first time that Fundación Laboral has participated in this important European programme -Urban Innovative Actions (UIA)- which has European Regional Development Funds (Feder) to strengthen socio-economic cohesion within European Union and correct imbalances between its regions.

Construction waste management

Construction and demolition waste (C&DW) is one of the heaviest and most voluminous waste streams generated in European Union (EU). According to European Commission, they represent approximately 25% to 30% of all waste generated in EU and consist of numerous materials, including concrete, bricks, gypsum, wood, glass, metals, plastic, solvents, asbestos and excavated soil, many of which can be recycled.

This is the scenario facing the initiative of Erasmus+ programme 'CDWaste-ManageVET', co-led by Pedmede (Greece) and Environment Office of Corsica (France), which aims to respond to the needs in the management of construction and demolition waste, through the development of specialized training, with Fundación Laboral as partner, as well as collaborators from France, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Greece and Romania. The aim is also to promote the circular economy model in European construction sector.

Innovation and digitisation

In third place is the project 'Icons. Innovation in Construction Works', from the Erasmus+ programme, led by Centro Edile Andrea Palladio (Italy), with the participation of Fundación Laboral and a consortium composed of six institutions from Italy, Spain, Germany, Slovenia and the United Kingdom, which will address 'Open Education and Innovative Practices in the Digital Age' within the construction sector.

Finally, Erasmus+ project that is also being launched by the peer entity is 'Step into BIM-Digitising VET', led by Coventry University (UK), in addition to the participation of partners from Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Lithuania and Belgium. An initiative focused on Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology and the digitalization of the sector.