The EU has committed to making its built environment greener in the coming years. With the introduction of the “Fit or 55” package and the proposed revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, local infrastructure and building investments are becoming increasingly driven by requirements and opportunities to apply sustainable energy technologies and circularity concepts. However, the competencies and skills needed to support a successful transition to a low-carbon and circular built environment remain a key issue that local actors are struggling to solve. 

The EU-funded BUS-GoCircular project aims to address and overcome the challenges of stimulating demand for a circular construction skilled workforce, along with the hands-on capacity building to increase the number of skilled professionals within the workforce across the value chain. Local and regional governments can use a wide range of policy levers to stimulate this demand.

Through good practice and replicable examples from Europe and beyond, this document aims to raise awareness among practitioners and policymakers about their ability to promote a more circular construction sector and upskill professionals. It also highlights the various levers at the disposal of local and regional governments and public administrations to support this transition.