29.04.2026
BUILD UP Skills initiative and Communities of Practice
The past week, the 21st and 22nd of April, IRI UL participated in the 17th BUILD UP Skills Exchange meeting in Brussels. We were invited by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) who brought together more than 80 stakeholders working on skills development for the sustainable energy transition in the construction sector.
As representatives of the BUSUnited project, we highlighted Communities of Practice, which connect experts, policymakers, educators, and industry representatives in addressing shared challenges related to skills and training.
We actively contributed to the programme by delivering an interactive ice-breaking session, emphasising the importance of active participation and co-creation. We also had the opportunity to present the BUSUnited Communities of Practice approach on behalf of the project, underlining how these communities go beyond discussion to enable practical collaboration, peer learning, and joint problem-solving.
Through our expertise in participatory approaches and applied social sciences, IRI UL contributes to the development of BUSUnited Communities of Practice as inclusive spaces grounded in the real needs of construction sector stakeholders. The meeting further confirmed the importance of such approaches for building effective skills systems and supporting the implementation of European policies such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
The event provided an opportunity to connect with European partners, exchange experiences, and co-create the next steps of the BUSUnited project. If you are interested in topics such as innovative approaches to construction workforce training, funding opportunities for skills development, or even AI in construction skills development, we invite you to join us and become part of the growing BUSUnited network: https://build-up.ec.europa.eu/en/skills/bus-united.
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