EU Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva with FIEC for ribbon cutting of Pilot Recycling Plant
On 3 May, FIEC was in Sofia at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the pilot recycling plant in the framework of the MOBICCON-PRO project.
With welcome addresses by EU Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva and FIEC Vice-President Laurentiu Plosceanu, the innovative installation for recycling of construction and demolition waste has officially opened its doors. The opening could also count on the presence of Mr Radu Moldovan, Romanian Embassy Economic Minister at the Romanian Embassy, and the Bulgarian President of the Economic and Social Council of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ms. Zornitsa Roussinova.
“Today’s opening of such a key pilot installation is a symbol of progress, sustainability and innovation in the construction sector. Particularly, for areas like South-East Europe and in the framework of MOBICCON-PRO project that stands out for the technology it offers.”, said VP Plosceanu during the ceremony.
“Projects like MOBICCON-PRO show how innovation and environmental protection can go hand in hand, create real benefits for both business and our planet. By working together (science, industry and communities), we build networks that drive bold solutions, inspire others and secure a sustainable future for Bulgaria and Europe.” – stated Commissioner Zaharieva.
About the importance of this pilot installation and the project co-funded by Horizon Europe, VP Plosceanu highlighted that:
- Such initiatives provide a significant support to collaborative research across the EU, fostering advancements in areas such as climate change, digital transformation and sustainable development.
- They aim at promoting circular economy practices and resilient construction methods.
- They represent examples of how EU funding can drive meaningful transformation in key sectors.
The presence of Commissioner Zaharieva is a powerful signal of the EU’s commitment to sustainable development and innovation in construction.
Special thanks go to all participants, partners and all people/organisations involved in this remarkable initiative, particularly, our Bulgarian member Bulgarian Construction Chamber and Glavbolgarstroy Holding.
| MOBICCON-PRO |
Angela Martina speaks for FIEC at the OECD conference
On 24 April, Angela Martina – Chair of the FIEC sub-commission on Vocational Education Training & Youth, intervened at the “2025 Conference on Infrastructure Governance – Roadmap to 2050” conference organised by the OECD.
The conference highlighted how the construction sector — representing 10.9% of Europe’s GDP — is crucial for delivering green infrastructure and achieving climate goals.
“Yet, a severe skills shortage threatens this transition. Green and digital skills must be urgently developed through investment in vocational education and strong partnerships between companies, training institutions, and public authorities.”, stressed Angela Martina during her intervention, and added that “(…) Through initiatives such as the Pact for Skills in Construction, we are investing in human capital and sustainable migration pathways to meet future labour demands.”
Governments must act alongside businesses: investing in education, promoting labour mobility, managing migration policies strategically, and reducing the fiscal wedge to foster job creation. “Building the workforce of today means building the resilient, green infrastructure of tomorrow”, concluded Angela Martina.
You can watch Angela Martina’s intervention from min 00:43:28 by clicking the below tab.
| WATCH SESSION |
Investment in Western Balkans: FIEC VP Laurentiu Plosceanu joined EU discussions
Opportunities for closer EU-Balkans cooperation were discussed last week at the “The Western Balkans Investment Framework” (WBIF), a joint initiative by the European Commission, international financial institutions, notably the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), and the Western Balkan countries. The aim is to share solutions on how to provide financial and technical support for priority development projects in the region.
As guest speaker, FIEC Vice-President Laurentiu Plosceanu shared his insights about boosting circular economy practices in the construction sector and stressed that “Western Balkan countries can play a key role in the development of a Single Market for construction and demolition waste, supplying secondary raw materials at competitive costs.”
He also highlighted that EU co-funded projects like MOBICCON-PRO (one of FIEC’s projects launched under the Horizon Europe programme) showcase viable cooperation models focused on recycling and reuse. These initiatives aim indeed at creating local jobs in labour-intensive activities, meeting the increased EU demand for recycled aggregates and supporting innovation and technology transfer.
Moreover, the WBIF plays a crucial role in funding transport infrastructure projects aligned with the TEN-T network, as well as in tackling the challenges for European companies investing in the Balkans, among which are:
- Political instability and democratic backsliding;
- Debt risks from non-transparent foreign projects;
- Mass migration and outflow of young talent and workforce;
- Complex administrative procedures and lack of transparency in public procurement;
- Unclear or poorly enforced environmental and social standards.
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Finnish Arctic Construction Cluster visits FIEC
On 28 April, a delegation from the Finnish Arctic Construction Cluster visited FIEC. This cluster gathers representatives from business organisations, education centres and public communities with the aim of creating an active cooperation network. In its activities, the cluster monitors the development needs of the sector and seeks solutions to them
Amongst the various EU-funded projects developed within the cluster, the delegation presented in particular a solution of temporary and mobile housing adapted to the needs and specificities of the region of Northern Finland, as well as a partnership cooperation with Kyiv for the reconstruction of Ukraine (i.e., light housing units).
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