Karl Neyrinck appointed new President of Embuild
Karl Neyrinck, Managing Director of EEG Group, succeeds him as National President of Embuild, FIEC’s Belgian member. He is a well-known figure in the building industry and within the Belgian federation.
“Christophe laid a clear path, and I want to continue his work. He established the foundations; it is now up to us to continue building on these solid bases,” stated new President Neyrinck, formerly President of Embuild Vlaanderen (June 2020 – May 2025) and at the head of Techlink (June 2015 – September 2022).
He is particularly committed to pursuing the “Embuilding the Future” Action Plan, to make Embuild an even stronger player in the construction and installation sector.
| PRESS RELEASE |
Romanian builders federation FPSC celebrates FIEC
On 9 December in Bucharest, on the occasion of their annual “Star Construct 2025” gala event dedicated to the excellence and solidarity of Romanian builders, our member federation Federația Patronatelor Societăților din Construcții (FPSC) celebrated FIEC for its 120th anniversary.
We are deeply grateful for this award, which recognises FIEC’s efforts to add value for its affiliates and this boosts our motivation.
It is good to see the dynamism and the pivotal role that our members play at their national level. This is the strength of FIEC.
| ABOUT FPSC |
FIEC welcomes Recommendations of Housing Advisory Board with a few warnings
In a Press Release published on 12 December, FIEC welcomed the publication of the Housing Advisory Board’s Recommendations. This report rightly highlights that Europe faces a structural and long-term housing crisis, that demands coordinated action across planning, finance, construction capacity and infrastructure.
In particular, some of the Advisory Board’s priorities are strongly aligned with FIEC’s long-standing positions, including the need to increase housing supply, support renovation and energy-efficiency improvements, simplify and digitalise permitting procedures, and scale up innovative and industrialised construction methods, in combination with skills development.
At the same time, looking at some other recommendations, FIEC warns that the housing crisis is a complex issue which requires a wide and open-minded approach, no one-size-fits-all solutions; public and private funding must work together, not against each other; and State aid expansion and mandatory quotas for social housing require caution.
FIEC stands ready to continue working with the European Commission and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the forthcoming European Affordable Housing Plan is ambitious, balanced and capable of restoring real housing affordability for European citizens.
| PRESS RELEASE |
SIDE-CIC project results available
FIEC and the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) are proud to share the final deliverables of the EU-funded SIDE-CIC project (Social ID Cards in the Construction Sector). This project started in 2023 and aimed to update the mapping of existing social ID cards in the construction sector and to look at the interoperability of these existing schemes.
The deliverables are:
– A mapping report which looks at 19 schemes across 17 countries, plus local initiatives in Italy and Denmark. The report assessed their legal basis, issuing authorities, scope and data features.
– A legal feasibility study which examined whether national social ID card schemes in construction could be made interoperable within the existing EU and national legal frameworks.
– A technical feasibility study which examined in detail how national social ID card schemes could interconnect through a secure and governed data exchange network. It mapped existing systems, analysed their tech¬nical characteristics and identified the gaps that would need to be addressed.
– Joint Recommendations from FIEC and EFBWW to guide the development and interconnection of social ID card schemes in construction and considerations for a potential pilot project.
All deliverables are available on FIEC website.
| DELIVERABLES |
European Employers’ Institute presents three studies on productivity
On 4 December, the European Employers’ Institute (EEI), of which FIEC is one of the founding members, organised a networking event to present three new studies on the persistent and widening productivity gap between the EU and the United States.
After a presentation of the key findings of the study, a panel composed of economists from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and from the Swedish Association of Industrial Employers, a member of cabinet of the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Roxana Mînzatu, and the author of the three studies exchanged on the implications and results of the studies. They stressed the need for more innovation and investment in the EU and discussed about EU actions needed to increase productivity.
| Read more |
Environmental Legislation: European Commission’s Simplification Initiative
On 10 December, the European Commission published its legislative proposal for an Environmental Omnibus.
FIEC welcomes the package, as many of the simplification suggestions by the construction industry have been reflected in the legislative proposals. The European construction industry is committed to helping make the regulatory framework more effective and accessible, without compromising environmental protection.
Clear criteria, proportionate obligations, and adequate operational tools are essential to achieving climate and environmental goals.
| Read more |
#FIEC120 Photos 3 December: Download from new Flickr account
All snapshots of our festive event celebrating FIEC’s 120th anniversary in Brussels (Concert Noble) are now available to view or download directly on our new Flickr business account.
Anyone can access the albums and pictures, even without one’s login/registration. Have a look and “take” your selection “away”!
Links to photos:
Album 1 – EVENT, SPEAKERS, GUESTS
Album 2 – LED WALL memories
#FIEC120 Anniversary: Video of festive evening
3 December, Brussels
A video-story of the highlights and best moments during FIEC’s festive evening hosted at Concert Noble, in Brussels, where we celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Federation at the presence of keynote speaker EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall, as well as European Parliament Vice-President MEP Antonella Sberna and the Chairwoman of the Housing (HOUS) EP Committee, MEP Irene Tinagli.
Thanks to all guests and participants for the vibrant spirit, for all positive remarks and feedback, and for joining us on such an important milestone. Special thanks also to European Commission Vice-President, Roxana Minzatu, for her video-message.
We were very pleased to have – among the attendants – Members of the European Parliament, officials of the European Commission and other EU institutions’ representatives, and mostly, our partners and our member federations.
| WATCH VIDEO |
#FIEC120 – A message by Lev Partskhaladze (CBU)
We warmly thank Lev Partskhaladze, President of our member federation, the Confederation of Builders of Ukraine (CBU), for his video-message sent to congratulate on the 120th anniversary of FIEC.
| WATCH VIDEO |
Dear Reader,
The end of the year is just around the corner. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for partnering with us and following us through 2025, a span of time that reported a series of key achievements, the special milestone marked by FIEC’s celebration of “120 Years of Construction in Europe“, and offered good opportunities to share successful actions.
While awaiting for the next challenges, we are glad to send you our best wishes for a joyful Christmas and happy New Year.
Our Newsletter will be back on Tuesday 13 January, 2026.
Warmest regards,
The FIEC Team