Affordable and Sustainable Seismic & Energy Retrofit Solutions for Vulnerable Buildings in Seismic Zones

HORIZON-NEB-2025-01-REGEN-04: Innovative approaches for sustainable, inclusive and beautiful social and affordable housing

HORIZON-NEB-2025-01-REGEN-02: Bio-fabricated materials for sustainable and beautiful construction

We are looking to cooperate with companies, research institutes, and public authorities to co-develop affordable, effective, and sustainable retrofitting solutions for existing buildings in seismic regions of Europe.

Many old neighborhoods — often inhabited by marginalized groups such as Roma communities, refugees, and low-income families — are at high risk of earthquake-induced collapse. These buildings also suffer from severe energy inefficiency. Traditional retrofitting solutions are often too costly and intrusive, making large-scale interventions infeasible.

Our goal is to combine seismic and energy retrofitting, building on frameworks such as the JRC’s “Technologies for the combined seismic and energy upgrading of existing buildings”, but with strong emphasis on low-cost and environmentally friendly methods.

What we’re looking for:

• Research partners in structural engineering, energy systems, and material science

• Companies with innovative or recycled building materials

• Startups developing sensors or digital tools for retrofit monitoring

• Municipalities/NGOs focused on housing for vulnerable populations

• Architects/designers interested in making retrofit solutions beautiful, human-centered, and minimally invasive

Goals:

• Save lives and enhance safety in earthquake-prone zones

• Reduce the carbon footprint of retrofitting

• Develop green, bio-based or recycled materials

• Provide scalable models for public housing programs

• Promote social justice and inclusion through better living environments