A New EU-Funded Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment in Romania, Croatia, and Germany
The ReBORN project, launched on February 1, 2025, is a forward-looking initiative funded under the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) to drive the transition towards sustainable construction practices and energy efficiency in Romania, Croatia, and Germany. With buildings accounting for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions across the EU, the project addresses one of the most critical challenges in achieving Europe’s climate neutrality goals by 2050.
ReBORN’s objectives are ambitious yet transformative:
- Advancing energy efficiency in the construction sector by promoting the use of locally sourced, natural materials, such as reed and hemp, as carbon-neutral alternatives to conventional building materials.
- Training professionals and public officials on cutting-edge sustainable building techniques, aligning with EU standards for Zero Emissions Buildings (ZEB).
- Developing innovative materials and tools to support the construction industry in adopting energy-efficient practices and carbon-neutral solutions.
- Raising awareness and fostering collaboration among policymakers, researchers, businesses, and civil society to embed sustainable practices into local and regional policies.
The project builds on a strong partnership of four organizations: the Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (Romania), the Tulcea County Prefect’s office (Romania), the National Institute for Research and Development in Construction, Urban Planning and Sustainable Spatial Development – URBAN-INCERC (Romania), the Adria Innovation Harbour (Croatia), and Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH (Germany) – the latter represented by our Steinbeis Danube Center. Together, these partners bring decades of experience in sustainable development, energy efficiency, and capacity building.
Why ReBORN matters: ReBORN aims to make a lasting impact by showcasing the potential of local natural resources in sustainable construction, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and fostering economic resilience in the Danube region. By equipping professionals and decision-makers with the knowledge and tools to adopt innovative practices, the project will help transform the construction sector into a driver of climate action and sustainable growth.
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ReBORN paves the way for innovative solutions and promising results toward a greener, more sustainable Europe.
– Juergen Raizner
Building on the Success of EUKI project “EDAPHIC-BLOOM Danube”: A Foundation for Sustainable Innovation
The ReBORN project builds on the success and expertise gained from the EDAPHIC-BLOOM Danube project, which focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Romanian Danube region by preserving organic soil matter and improving building energy efficiency. Building on the innovative approach of EDAPHIC-BLOOM, ReBORN intensifies efforts to enhance energy efficiency in the construction sector, this time expanding its scope to Romania, Croatia, and Germany. While EDAPHIC-BLOOM introduced tools like regional energy efficiency maps and training programs for certified passive house professionals, ReBORN takes these achievements further by incorporating the use of local natural materials, such as reed and hemp, into sustainable building practices. This continuation ensures that the knowledge, networks, and methodologies developed under EDAPHIC-BLOOM are leveraged to create an even greater impact in achieving Europe’s climate neutrality goals.
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