Call for proposals
Edufootprint project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund – Interreg Mediterranean – MED
Duration
1.11.2016 do 28.2.2019
Total eligible costs
– 1.200.684,75 €
EC ERDF + IPA contrubution
– 1.020.582,05 €
Project website
Contact person at IRI UL
prof. dr. Slavko Dolinšek
Key Challenges
Buildings are responsible for 40% of final energy consumption and 36% of GHG emissions in the EU. About 50% of Mediterranean buildings are over 50 years old and will still be in use in 2050. Environmental footprint of buildings is due to incorrect maintenance and management; part of it comes from the public sector. About 60% of all public building floor surface in the EU are schools. The EU 2020 targets will not be reached if only new schools will be built. It’s too expensive. Actual EU public sector economic goals are to save money and the energy efficiency is an aspect key. Initiatives as Covenant of Majors would help local and regional authorities to increase energy efficiency on their territories but the lack of economic resources limits the actions and the effects. Inadequate knowledge of owners and managers of public buildings is a barrier to elaboration and implementation of practices with a LCA approach. Low-cost and strong involvement of citizens can create immediate positive effects. Existing Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP) are frequently very demanding and include only refurbishment/retrofitting actions regarding buildings.
Aim
The key purpose of the project is to enhance the ability of owners and managers of public buildings in the direction of better energy management; This will be achieved not only with regard to the direct impact of energy in buildings (use) but also through indirect measures (procurement and full consciousness and behaviour). Activities will focus on testing and transfer of integrated energy strategies in schools through the LCA approach (the Life Cycle Assessment – evaluation of the life cycle). The approach includes the review and implementation of energy efficient practices, tap the SEAP (Local Sustainable Energy Action Plans – the local action plans Sustainable Energy).
A key part of the project are transnational activities because Edufootprint model will be tested in different countries MED. Innovative solutions, which will include the owners or authorities from the public and private sectors and final users will be transferred in seven of MED regions. Areas with less experience will have the opportunity to implement well tested measures and where there is already prior knowledge of various partners. The model will be tested in countries where there are different forms of public involvement in buildings.
Key Objectives
- An innovative model for the assessment and management of buildings, which will allow reducing the carbon footprint in schools,
- Improving the competencies of building owners and managers for the development and implementation of effective practices in public school buildings,
- Transnational EduFootprint network of schools for ensurement for the transmission of model in all Mediterranean countries.