Stimulate demand for sustainable energy skills with circularity as a driver and multifunctional green use of roofs, façades and interior elements as focus

_ Duration 2021 – 2024

_ Programme Horizon 2020

_ Call H2020-LC-SC3-EE-2020-2

_ Total Project Budget € 999.893,75

_ Grant Agreement model Budget-Based

Short description 

BUS-GoCircular was an EU-funded project that addressed the skills gap in circular construction. It developed a practical qualification framework focused on multifunctional green roofs, facades and interior elements, linking tasks to learning outcomes and competencies. The project used train-the-trainer methods to upskill professionals across Europe and engaged stakeholders—companies, homeowners and local authorities— to promote circular green procurement and recognition of circular construction skills. Its goal was to strengthen both supply and demand for circular construction practices and support the wider adoption of sustainable building methods. The project also fostered regional collaboration by adapting training programmes to local contexts and building capacity within local and national training institutions.

The Architects´ Council of Europe’s involvement 

The Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) played a pivotal role in the BUS-GoCircular project, leading its dissemination and communication efforts. This included coordinating the project website, establishing its visual identity and producing key materials such as brochures, banners, newsletters, and managing social media channels. ACE also contributed to the mentorship programme and the development of the training package at the European level. Additionally, ACE organised and participated in events like the “Train the Trainers” sessions, enhancing the capacity of professionals across Europe to implement circular construction practices. Through these initiatives, ACE ensured the widespread dissemination of knowledge and resources, fostering a collaborative approach to upskilling the construction workforce in line with circular economy principles.

Project results 

The BUS-GoCircular project developed and implemented a circular construction skills qualification framework, focusing on multifunctional green roofs, facades, and interior elements.

The project partners also developed materials on the introduction of the circular economy, circular design strategies, reuse of building materials, the European policy framework most related to the built environment, and how to procure circular construction skills. Training packages were also developed in Dutch, Bulgarian, Czech, Spanish, Hungarian, Croatian and English to upskill SME’s on circularity have also been produced. Articles and reports from the project can be found in the Zenodo repository. Videos and training materials can be found on the YouTube channel.

Coordinator

ISSO – Netherlands

Project Partners

_ Circle Economy Foundation – Netherlands
_ Building Changes – Netherlands
_ Center for Energy Efficiency EnEffect – Bulgaria
_ University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy – Bulgaria
_ Czech Technical University in Prague – Czech Republic
_ INCIEN Institute of Circular Economy – Czech Republic
_ Instituto Valenciano de la Edificación – Spain
_ Valencian Federation of Construction Companies – Spain
_ University of Zagreb, Faculty of Civil Engineering – Hungary
_ ÉMI Epitesugyi Minosegellenorzo Innovacios – Hungary
_ Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest – Ireland
_ Architects´ Council of Europe – Belgium
_ ICLEI European Secretariat – Germany

For more information

BUSGO-Circular website | Twitter page | YouTube channel | LinkedIn page

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 framework programme for research and innovation under
Grant agreement No 101033740.