BuildEST

Research and development program LIFE IP BuildEST – starter for building renovation marathon

Natural resources are mostly used for construction. In Estonia more than half of the energy is consumed in buildings. In order to save materials and energy and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions, existing buildings need to be maintained and renovated to improve energy efficiency.

For this reason, the state has initiated a renovation marathon and prepared a long-term renovation strategy (LTRS). The strategy aims to have all buildings smartly renovated by 2050. Setting and meeting this goal is necessary for our houses to be energy-efficient and sustainable, and to be pleasant to live and work in for years to come.

To find and test better and more comprehensive solutions 18 strongest contributors in the field – universities, ministries, and professional associations – have combined their wisdom in the BuildEST project. With the project we will raise capacity, increase experiences, develop the necessary toolset for improving energy performance, reducing carbon emissions of Estonian building stock in the required rate and provide a national framework and starter mechanism for carrying out the EU Renovation Wave Initiative on a national level.

Project activities:

+ Policy making

+ Technical solutions

+ Demo showcases

+ Adaption to changed climatic conditions

+ Circular principles to renovation

+ Digital technologies

+ Awarness raising

The total budget is € 16.3 million, of which € 9.5 million is European support. The project will run until 2028.

Read more about the project – BUILDEST.

The project is funded by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) through the LIFE IP (Integrated Projects) program for environmental and climate action projects.

There is a total of 18 project partners:

Ministries: Ministry of Climate (coordinating beneficiary), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment.
Universities: Tallinn University of Technology, Estonian Academy of Arts.
Public authorities: Foundation KredEx, Environmental Investments Centre, State Real Estate Ltd.
Municipalities: Tartu, Võru and Rakvere city governments.
Professional associations: The Estonian Union of Co-operative Housing Associations, Estonian Open-Air Museum Foundation, Centre of Rural Architecture, Tartu Regional Energy Agency, Estonian Circular Economy Industries Association, Estonian Association of Construction Entrepreneurs, Estonian Digital Construction Cluster, Estonian Woodhouse Association.