Innovative cost-efficient solutions for zero-emission buildings
European Comission
ExpectedOutcome :
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Increased number of solutions and approaches for construction of zero-emission buildings.
- Enhanced productivity of construction compared to standard practice.
- Reduced embodied emission and increased carbon storage, enhanced energy performance.
- Improved comfort, Indoor Air Quality and Indoor Environmental Quality.
- Increased awareness on zero-emission construction best practices.
- Enhanced circularity of construction. Scope :
To demonstrate that high-quality and affordable zero-emission buildings, in line with the Proposed Revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, can be delivered and mainstreamed. With new buildings already required to be nearly-zero energy buildings, the focus is on how to achieve zero emissions, zero or positive energy standards and how to reduce embodied emissions, also storing CO2 where possible (using recycled, zero-carbon, or sustainably sourced construction materials acting as carbon sinks).
Proposals are expected to address all of the following:
- Demonstrate innovative construction approaches and scalable solutions based on integrated existing solutions into standardised packages for a cost-effective construction of (new) zero-emission buildings, in line with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
- Ensure the approaches demonstrated:
- Allow to achieve zero or positive energy standards and to reduce embodied emissions, also storing carbon where possible, using recycled, zero-carbon or sustainably sourced carbon-storing construction materials.
- rely on mature construction products and materials, and technical building systems, seeking to deliver solutions that are ready for application and use, in view of significantly enhancing the energy performance of buildings.
- address all components of buildings (envelope, technical building systems, on-site renewable energy – e.g. BIPV – and, where relevant, electric vehicle charging points).
- are rooted in local and regional value chains for sourcing of buildings components and for involvement and upskilling of local and regional businesses.
- are tailored for the applicable regulatory framework: EU, national, and (where relevant) regional and local level.
- have strong potential for replication across Europe, in particular by construction SMEs.
- Demonstrations that include at least three real-life new construction projects, of which one at least should target public buildings.
- Ensure that the demonstrations:
- Cover at least three countries, with diverse climatic conditions and architectural patterns.
- Involve local and regional values chains, in particular SMEs, based on participatory approaches to increase innovation acceptability.
- Lead to clear and, where relevant, quantified and measurable indicators on the results achieved.
- An ambitious EU-wide dissemination roadmap addressing all relevant stakeholders (in particular businesses and authorities) to:
- promote the zero-emission buildings innovative construction approaches demonstrated.
- share guidance and recommendations on best practices for zero-emission construction.
- provide feedback to policy makers at EU, national, and (where relevant) regional and local level regarding the deployment of innovative and cost efficient solutions for constructing zero-emission buildings. Specific Topic Conditions :
Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.
General conditions
- Admissibility conditions: described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System
- Eligible countries: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide .
- Other eligibility conditions: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes
If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).
Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes
Evaluation and award:
Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes
Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual
Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes
- Legal and financial set-up of the grants: described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes
Specific conditions
- Specific conditions: described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Documents
Call documents:
Standard application form — call-specific application form is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Standard evaluation form — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
MGA
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 13. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme and Rules for Participation Regulation 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual