Pagari community center in Alutaguse parish: a typical wooden schoolhouse from the 1920s in Estonia. Photo: Triin Reidla
Buildings account for a significant share of carbon emissions in Europe, making their sustainable refurbishment crucial for climate action. Many historic buildings in the Baltic and
Balkan regions lack energy efficiency, increasing their environmental impact and contributing to high energy consumption. Challenges include outdated building stock, limited renovation rates, and the need for specialised skills and innovative approaches, particularly for cultural heritage buildings. The European Climate Initiative (EUKI) project EU-REPAIR supports the European Green Deal and national climate strategies by promoting repair and reuse practices, while addressing circular economy principles and energy efficiency.
The project will increase capacity for sustainable renovation, knowledge exchange on sustainable renovation and resilience to climate change, ensuring the long-term sustainability of valuable built environments across partner countries (Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Serbia). The project provides training for architects, engineers, artisans, students, and decision-makers to implement energy-efficient repair techniques. The project organises workshops, hackathons, and multiplier events to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. A digital learning platform ensures access to best practices, guidelines, and case studies. Collaboration with international partners, including research institutions and climate networks, enhances the project’s impact. The project also engages local governments and stakeholders to improve national legislation and strategic documents. By integrating circular economy principles, renewable materials, and risk assessment methodologies, EU-REPAIR ensures that historic buildings are preserved while meeting
modern energy efficiency standards.
Funded by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Period: 02.2025-05.2027
Partners: Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering and Energy (IECE); Vytautas Magnus University (VMU); Innovation Center University of Nis
Project website
Estonian Research Information System ETIS
Project coordinator: Triinu Väikmeri (triinu.vaikmeri@artun.ee)
This project is part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
