News 2025

On 10 April, a marathon-day for the hearing hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee, Joël Schons, the Chair of FIEC Working Group "Housing", presented FIEC’s messages to our social partner European Federation of Builders and Wood Workers (EFBWW), and explained the challenges and solutions of the construction industry in a meeting with MEP Isabelle Le Callennec (EPP-FR), member of the Special Committee HOUS.
 

According to Schons, millions of additional housing units are needed across the EU to tackle the current crisis. This represents a necessary investment of several trillions euros. This means that innovative financial schemes, involving EU, national and private funds will have to be set up.

At the same time, the construction industry faces regulatory and administrative burden, economic and cost challenges, as well as shortage of skilled workers.

In its Position Paper published in December 2024, FIEC also highlighted that boosting productivity requires a real digitalisation of the industry, more standardisation, a greater role for off-site construction, a streamlining of zoning and permitting procedures and a level-playing field between private and public players. FIEC is also working on raising the attractivity of the construction sector towards young people and women, via the Social Dialogue, EU-funded projects, etc.

In his interventions, Schons insisted that incremental changes will not fix this situation. Bold, structural and coordinated actions are required: across financing, land use, construction methods and housing policy.

Read FIEC Position Paper on Housing.