Kick-off Meeting of “Construction Blueprint 2”
On 11-12 February, the Fundación Laboral de la Construcción (FLC) hosted the kick-off meeting of project “Construction Blueprint 2” at its headquarters in Madrid, gathering 20 partners from 10 European countries.
This initiative co-funded by the European Commission, aims to improve training and qualification in the construction sector, ensuring workers are equipped for the challenges of digitalisation and the green transition.
FIEC, together with the European Builders Confederation (EBC) and the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW), will lead the Work Package dedicated to the Pact for Skills in Construction. This involves monitoring and reinforcing the Pact’s implementation while also engaging new signatories to expand its reach. Additionally, three umbrella organisations will facilitate dialogue among stakeholders and provide resources to support Pact members through best practices and shared expertise.
European Commission Work Programme 2025
The European Commission has just published its Work Programme for the year 2025 entitled “Moving forward together: A bolder, simpler, faster Union”. The simplification of rules and the effective implementation of the current legislation are at its core, with a strong focus on Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness.
After the announcement of an Omnibus Simplification Package (OSP) addressing sustainability reporting (to be published on 26 February), there are now also two more OSPs being prepared on “investment simplification” and on the “removal of paper requirements, including on small mid-caps”. Those legislative initiatives are expected before the end of the first quarter of 2025 and can potentially bring significant relief for companies by lowering administrative burden.
FIEC will closely monitor the following initiatives for their simplification potential and will voice any concerns that may exist if any of the envisaged measures would add additional regulatory load, undermining the overall goal of maintaining and improving the competitiveness of European companies:
– Single Market Strategy
– Clean Industrial Deal
– Sustainable Transport Investment Plan
– European Climate Law
– European Water Resilience Strategy
– Post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework
On Social Affairs, the European Commission plans to publish (on 5 March) a non-legislative “Union of Skills” initiative. Moreover, a new “Action Plan on the Implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights” and a “Quality Job Roadmap” are also expected for the end of 2025. Finally, the European Commission has announced a “New Pact for Social Dialogue” to be released in the first half of 2025.
Another important initiative for the construction sector is the “Affordable Housing Plan” aiming to address rising rental prices by looking into the root causes of high building costs. However, it is not among the initiatives for 2025, as the Commission intends to develop a comprehensive and robust proposal in close collaboration with the co-legislators. A dedicated committee on this matter was recently established within the European Parliament (HOUS Committee), and it is planned to present a specific proposal most likely in 2026. Early this month, FIEC President Piero Petrucco met with the Chairwoman of the Commitee at the European Parliament.
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FIEC signs letters to the College of Commissioners addressing key water concerns for the construction sector
‘Water Europe’ coordinated a collective approach for organising the water sector’s key concerns to engage effectively with the new team of the European Commission. In the framework of the Water Resilience Coalition, various European organisations have come together to call upon the European Commission to deliver a Water Resilience Initiative.
The Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, has just recently announced that a European Water Resilience Strategy will be published in the second quarter of 2025.
FIEC welcomes this important step. However, at that moment, it is essential to ensure that the initiative will be meaningful when addressing our concerns regarding water stress, excess water and water quality. For the European Construction Industry, it is clear that “we build the change together“.
Therefore, FIEC co-signed the following letters to:
– Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
– Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing
– Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition
– Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy
– Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for the Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth
– Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms
The construction sector’s expertise is critical in developing pragmatic solutions. Through sustainable infrastructure and innovative water management solutions, the industry can help reduce strain on water resources and enhance resilience across Europe. We look forward to keeping up the good dialogue and contributing to the work of the College of Commissioners whenever this is useful.
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New EU-OSHA survey on risks at workplaces
The EU OSHA published the 2024 European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging risks. This survey shows the most common risks identified by European workplaces across all sectors.
As in 2019, the two most frequently risks identified are prolonged sitting and repetitive hand or arm movements. In the top 10, we can also find lifting or moving people or heavy loads, risks of accidents with machines and hand tools, time pressure, heat, cold or draught and risk of accidents with vehicles.
The survey also highlights a growing awareness of the impact of digitalisation on safety and health and a strong attention to psychosocial risks factors.
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EU commitment to Ukraine and peace
At the Munich Security Conference 2025, European Council President, António Costa, stressed that lasting peace in Europe is inextricably linked to Ukraine’s sovereignty and its future within the European Union. Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, the EU has supported Ukraine with humanitarian, military and economic aid, with the clear goal of full EU membership for Ukraine.
Costa stressed that peace negotiations must not jeopardise Ukraine’s security or reward Russian aggression. With a 30% increase in defence spending since 2021, the EU remains committed to building a secure, united Europe through strengthened defence and partnerships, ensuring peace and security for all.
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