News 2026

Europe’s construction sector is undergoing profound transformation while facing major challenges such as climate pressures, digital disruption, and growing skills shortages.

In response, the European Council for Construction Research, Development and Innovation (ECCREDI) has published its new strategy, setting out a roadmap to research and innovation across the entire construction value chain. The strategy addresses new priorities such as affordable housing, artificial intelligence, and industrialised construction, while placing a strong emphasis on market uptake alongside research needs.

The publication comes at a time when the EU is reassessing its research & innovation (R&I) priorities and funding for the years ahead. ECCREDI calls for a new approach to tackling critical challenges such as climate resilience, digitalisation, and circularity.

Proposals include workforce transformation and upskilling, as well as stronger integration of digital technologies including AI and digital twins.

Circularity is identified as a central priority, with ECCREDI urging for adaptable buildings designed for disassembly, together with improved legal frameworks to encourage reuse and recycling. The strategy also promotes climate adaptation measures, such as the use of low-carbon materials, and calls for supporting the use of innovation-friendly contracts in EU public procurement rules.

As Europe prepares its future R&I direction, the strategy aims to contribute to the work of policymakers and the European Construction Technology Platform (ECTP) in designing and implementing the next framework programme for construction research and innovation. The overall ECCREDI message is clear: construction innovation is a strategic enabler for a sustainable, competitive, and resilient Europe.

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  ECCREDI-Strategy-BROCH-2026.pdf

  Dowload Strategy brochure