Austrian rural reuse demonstrator seeking BUSINESS-03 consortium

e7 energy innovation & engineering is seeking to join a consortium preparing a proposal for HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-BUSINESS-03: “Approaches to reuse vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces”.

We can contribute a concrete demonstrator for the development and preparation of a sustainable reuse project: a vacant former textile factory located in the centre of a rural municipality in Austria. The historic building dates from the 19th century and is part of the region’s textile heritage.

The site is currently being gradually reactivated through temporary cultural and educational uses. A participatory process involving local residents, creative professionals, educational institutions, students and start-ups has already begun. The next step is to develop an integrated and viable long-term reuse concept.

The demonstrator can address:

• participatory development of a flexible mix of housing, working, cultural, educational and community uses;

• preservation and activation of the building’s architectural and industrial heritage;

• sustainable renovation, energy supply and climate-neutral operation;

• assessment of infrastructure, accessibility and local service requirements;

• viable ownership, operation, financing and business models;

• contribution to the revitalisation of the village centre and wider rural development.

e7 can contribute expertise in building and neighbourhood decarbonisation, energy concepts, technical-economic assessment, financing and business models, and the development of transferable implementation strategies.

We can also involve an additional Austrian partner with broader expertise in strategies for vacant and underutilised buildings in rural areas. This would enable the demonstrator to be linked to a wider portfolio of rural vacancies, including former textile factories, inns, commercial properties and other buildings in village centres. The aim would be to derive a transferable approach for identifying, assessing, prioritising and reactivating such buildings.

e7 does not intend to coordinate the proposal but would be very interested in joining a suitable consortium as a project and demonstration partner.