Deadline: 01-Dec-2026
The European Commission is inviting proposals to develop sustainable and predictive maintenance solutions that extend the lifespan of existing buildings while reducing environmental impacts. The initiative supports projects that create life cycle assessment-based decision tools and maintenance strategies designed to reduce waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy performance, and promote circular construction practices.
About the Predictive Maintenance and Repair for Buildings Initiative
The European Commission has launched this funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe framework to encourage a shift from traditional reactive maintenance toward predictive and preventive building management approaches.
Buildings often undergo maintenance only after problems become visible or serious failures occur. This reactive approach can increase costs, create waste, shorten building lifespan, and increase environmental impacts.
The initiative seeks innovative solutions that allow building owners and stakeholders to identify maintenance needs early, reduce disruptions, and preserve existing building stock more efficiently.
What is Predictive Maintenance in Buildings?
Predictive maintenance refers to the use of data, monitoring systems, and analytical tools to anticipate maintenance needs before building systems or components fail.
Instead of fixing problems after damage occurs, predictive maintenance aims to:
• Detect issues early
• Prevent major failures
• Extend building lifespan
• Improve resource efficiency
• Reduce maintenance costs
• Minimize disruption for occupants
Examples include:
• Monitoring structural performance
• Tracking energy system efficiency
• Detecting moisture or material deterioration
• Monitoring HVAC performance
• Assessing wear in building components
Key Focus Areas and Program Priorities
The funding initiative supports projects related to:
• Sustainable built environments
• Predictive building maintenance
• Building repair strategies
• Life cycle environmental impact reduction
• Circular economy principles
• Energy performance improvement
• Construction waste reduction
• Greenhouse gas emission reduction
• Life cycle assessment tools
• Extension of building service life
• Regulatory compliance
• Stakeholder engagement
• Social housing improvement
• Heritage building conservation
• Occupant-centered maintenance approaches
• Reduced disruption during maintenance activities
Understanding Key Concepts
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Life Cycle Assessment is a methodology used to evaluate environmental impacts across the complete life of a building or building component.
LCA typically considers:
• Raw material extraction
• Manufacturing
• Construction activities
• Operation and energy use
• Maintenance and repairs
• End-of-life disposal or reuse
Circularity Principles
Circularity focuses on reducing waste and maximizing the reuse and value of materials and resources.
Examples include:
• Reusing materials during renovation
• Extending component lifespan
• Designing repairable systems
• Reducing demolition waste
• Using recyclable materials
Decision-Support Tools
Decision-support tools help building owners and managers make informed choices regarding maintenance priorities and investment decisions.
Such tools may evaluate:
• Environmental impact
• Cost efficiency
• Building performance
• Risk levels
• Regulatory requirements
Funding Information
Funding support under this initiative includes:
• Total available budget: €10,000,000
• Indicative funding per project: Approximately €5,000,000
• Funding framework: Horizon Europe
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility is open to a wide range of entities under Horizon Europe rules.
Eligible applicants include:
• Universities and academic institutions
• Research organizations
• Public institutions
• Private organizations
• Nonprofit organizations
• International organizations
• Legal entities established under national law
• Organizations from non-associated third countries where eligible
Applicants must meet Horizon Europe participation requirements and any topic-specific conditions.
Project Requirements
Projects must satisfy several core requirements.
Applicants are expected to:
• Develop at least one Life Cycle Assessment-based decision-support tool for predictive maintenance and repair
• Create a package of maintenance measures that:
- Extends building lifespan
- Integrates circular economy principles
- Demonstrates environmental feasibility
- Demonstrates financial feasibility
- Meets regulatory requirements
- Minimizes disruption to occupants
• Demonstrate solutions across three buildings in different Member States or Associated Countries
Demonstration sites must include:
• At least one heritage building
• At least one social or affordable housing project
Projects must also:
• Engage building users and owners during design and implementation
• Use participatory approaches
• Apply transdisciplinary methods
• Identify barriers affecting predictive maintenance adoption
• Develop strategies for broader implementation and scalability
How the Program Works
Step 1: Assess existing building conditions
• Review current maintenance practices
• Identify inefficiencies and risks
• Analyze environmental impacts
Step 2: Develop predictive maintenance tools
• Create LCA-based decision systems
• Integrate performance indicators
• Develop forecasting mechanisms
Step 3: Design sustainable maintenance measures
• Apply circular principles
• Improve building performance
• Reduce resource use and waste generation
Step 4: Test and validate solutions
• Demonstrate approaches in multiple buildings
• Evaluate performance across different contexts
Step 5: Analyze implementation barriers
• Identify regulatory challenges
• Assess financial and operational limitations
• Develop recommendations for scaling solutions
Why This Initiative Matters
Existing buildings account for significant energy use, material consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Predictive maintenance can contribute to:
• Longer building lifespans
• Reduced construction and demolition waste
• Lower carbon emissions
• Reduced maintenance costs
• Better energy performance
• Improved living conditions
• Protection of heritage buildings
• More sustainable housing systems
• Reduced disruption for occupants
The initiative supports climate goals and strengthens circular economy practices across the built environment.
Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
• Proposing reactive maintenance approaches instead of predictive systems
• Ignoring life cycle assessment requirements
• Failing to demonstrate circularity principles
• Excluding users and stakeholders from project design
• Neglecting social housing or heritage building requirements
• Failing to show scalability potential
• Ignoring regulatory considerations
Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal
• Build multidisciplinary teams with technical and social expertise
• Include measurable environmental indicators
• Demonstrate cost-effectiveness and financial feasibility
• Prioritize occupant-centered solutions
• Show pathways for long-term implementation
• Include practical replication strategies
• Use evidence-based maintenance planning approaches
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The initiative supports sustainable predictive maintenance and repair solutions that extend building lifespan and reduce environmental impacts.
How much funding is available?
The total available budget is €10 million, with approximately €5 million expected per project.
What type of tool must projects develop?
Projects must create at least one Life Cycle Assessment-based decision-support tool for predictive maintenance and repair.
How many buildings must be included in demonstrations?
Projects must demonstrate solutions across three buildings in different Member States or Associated Countries.
Are heritage buildings required?
Yes. At least one heritage building must be included.
Is social or affordable housing required?
Yes. Projects must include at least one social or affordable housing project.
Can organizations outside the EU participate?
Yes. Legal entities from eligible countries, including some non-associated third countries and international organizations, may participate according to Horizon Europe rules.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s Predictive Maintenance and Repair initiative supports innovative approaches that preserve existing buildings, improve sustainability, and reduce environmental impacts. By encouraging predictive systems, circular practices, and stakeholder participation, the program aims to create longer-lasting, more resilient, and resource-efficient buildings across Europe.
For more information, visit European Commission.
