Deadline: 15-Sep-2026
The European Commission has launched a Horizon Europe funding opportunity with a total budget of €28 million to support low-disturbance prefabrication approaches for deep renovation of multi-storey buildings. The initiative aims to improve energy performance, reduce renovation costs, minimize disruption to occupants, and accelerate sustainable renovation practices across Europe.
Program Overview
This funding programme supports research, innovation, and demonstration activities focused on industrialized renovation methods that improve the renovation of existing buildings while reducing disruption to occupants and construction environments.
The initiative is part of the Built4People Partnership framework and seeks to accelerate the transformation of Europe’s building sector by promoting cost-effective and energy-efficient renovation approaches.
The programme particularly targets deep renovation solutions that can help buildings achieve Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NZEB) performance standards while improving construction efficiency and reducing environmental impacts.
Focus Areas and Program Objectives
The programme supports multiple priorities related to building renovation and sustainable construction.
Key objectives include:
• Reducing overall deep renovation costs compared to current practices
• Improving energy and resource efficiency
• Reducing occupant disturbance during renovation works
• Minimizing dust, noise, and waste generation
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions during construction activities
• Accelerating building renovation processes
• Supporting industrialized renovation techniques
• Improving construction logistics and efficiency
• Strengthening sustainability and circular economy goals
• Supporting Nearly Zero-Energy Building performance targets
Expected Outcomes
Projects funded under this initiative are expected to demonstrate measurable improvements compared to conventional renovation methods.
Expected outcomes include:
• Lower renovation costs
• Improved building energy performance
• Reduced renovation timelines
• Shorter occupant disruption periods
• Lower construction-related emissions
• Reduced construction waste generation
• Reduced pollutant emissions
• Improved installation efficiency
• Better building comfort during renovation works
Priority Research and Innovation Areas
The programme supports integrated solutions across the entire renovation process.
Integrated Building Renovation Solutions
Activities may include:
• Building design optimization
• Off-site prefabrication methods
• On-site installation systems
• Maintenance planning
• Operational performance improvements
• End-of-life management approaches
Adaptable Prefabricated Technologies
Activities may include:
• Flexible wall integration systems
• Structural adaptation solutions
• Balcony and overhang integration
• Existing utility system integration
• Solutions for varied building configurations
Construction Efficiency Improvements
Activities may include:
• Rapid installation techniques
• Improved construction logistics
• Coordination between manufacturing and installation
• Reduced on-site construction time
Occupant-Friendly Renovation Approaches
Activities may include:
• Reducing building downtime
• Minimizing comfort disruption
• Reducing noise and dust impacts
• Improving construction scheduling approaches
Key Concepts Explained
Deep renovation refers to comprehensive building upgrades that significantly improve energy performance and overall efficiency.
Prefabrication involves manufacturing building components off-site and assembling them on-site to improve efficiency and reduce construction time.
Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) are buildings with very high energy performance that require very low energy consumption.
Off-site manufacturing refers to producing building components in controlled environments before transporting them for installation.
Circular economy approaches focus on reducing waste and maximizing resource use through reuse, recycling, and sustainable design practices.
Funding Information
Funding is available under Horizon Europe through the Built4People Partnership framework.
Funding details include:
• Total programme funding: €28,000,000
• Maximum funding per project: Approximately €7,000,000
• Funding type: Research, innovation, and demonstration activities
The programme aims to support scalable and industrialized renovation solutions.
Who is Eligible?
Participation is open to a broad range of organizations and entities.
Eligible applicants include:
• Legal entities established under national law
• Organizations established under European Union law
• International organizations
• Eligible organizations from non-associated third countries
• Research institutions
• Universities
• Public organizations
• Private organizations
Applicants must comply with Horizon Europe participation requirements.
Participation requirements include:
• Registration in the Participant Register
• Obtaining a Participant Identification Code (PIC)
• Completing validation requirements before grant agreement signature
A validated PIC is not required at the application submission stage.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Europe’s existing building stock represents a major opportunity for improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Traditional renovation methods can be expensive, time-consuming, and highly disruptive to occupants.
Potential benefits include:
• Faster building renovation processes
• Improved energy efficiency outcomes
• Reduced construction disruption
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions
• Better living and working conditions
• Greater sustainability across the building sector
• Stronger progress toward climate objectives
What Applicants Need to Do
Organizations planning to apply should prepare proposals aligned with programme priorities.
Recommended actions include:
• Develop integrated renovation approaches
• Demonstrate adaptable prefabrication methods
• Address real-world building constraints
• Include measurable performance indicators
• Show environmental and economic impact potential
• Establish collaborative partnerships
• Complete Participant Register requirements and obtain a PIC
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid common proposal weaknesses.
Common mistakes include:
• Limited consideration of occupant disruption
• Weak scalability strategies
• Failure to address existing building conditions
• Lack of measurable impact indicators
• Incomplete environmental considerations
• Poor integration across the renovation lifecycle
• Missing registration requirements
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of this funding call?
The programme supports innovative prefabricated solutions that enable deep renovation of multi-storey buildings with minimal disruption.
How much funding is available?
The total programme budget is €28 million, with approximately €7 million available per project.
What building types are targeted?
The programme focuses on residential and non-residential multi-storey buildings exceeding five storeys.
What does low-disturbance renovation mean?
Low-disturbance renovation refers to methods that reduce disruption to occupants by minimizing noise, dust, construction time, and building downtime.
What is NZEB?
NZEB stands for Nearly Zero-Energy Building, which refers to buildings with very high energy efficiency and very low energy demand.
Can international organizations participate?
Yes. International organizations and eligible entities from non-associated third countries may participate under Horizon Europe rules.
Is a validated PIC required during application submission?
No. Applicants only need to obtain a PIC during the process, while validation is required before grant agreement signing.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s funding initiative supports advanced prefabricated renovation approaches designed to modernize Europe’s building stock with minimal disruption and stronger sustainability outcomes. Through industrialized construction methods and integrated innovation approaches, the programme aims to accelerate energy-efficient building transformation and support long-term climate and circular economy goals.
For more information, visit European Commission.