EXCEL4HOUSING4.0

EXCEL4HOUSING4.0 is a four-year Erasmus+ initiative that establishes a European network of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) to drive the green and digital transition in the construction sector. The project mobilises VET providers, universities, research centres, businesses, clusters, and public authorities across 10 EU countries and Ukraine to co-design training, innovation, and partnerships for energy-efficient, digital, and circular housing (“Housing 4.0”).
The project mobilises VET providers, universities, research centres, businesses, clusters, and public authorities across 10 EU countries and Ukraine to co-design training, innovation, and partnerships for energy-efficient, digital, and circular housing (“Housing 4.0”).
The Project

EXCEL4HOUSING4.0 is a four-year Erasmus+ initiative that establishes a European network of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) to drive the green and digital transition in the construction sector.

The project mobilises VET providers, universities, research centres, businesses, clusters, and public authorities across 10 EU countries and Ukraine to co-design training, innovation, and partnerships for energy-efficient, digital, and circular housing (“Housing 4.0”).

Our Vision

To create a highly skilled workforce capable of delivering net-zero buildings, deep energy renovations, digitalised processes, and circular economy practices in line with the European Green Deal, the Renovation Wave, and the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

Why it matters

Buildings use ~40% of Europe’s energy and are responsible for a large share of emissions. The renovated EPBD and the EU’s Renovation Wave set ambitious targets—making zero-emission new buildings the norm and accelerating deep renovations. Achieving this demands new skills, new curricula, and robust VET–industry cooperation across borders.

Thematic Pillars

W & Net-zero Buildings
Skills for sustainable construction and large-scale renovations
Digitalisation
BIM, digital twins, IoT, and smart building technologies
Circular Economy
Sustainable materials, circular design, and waste reduction

Key Activities

Expected Impact

Results & Resources

Throughout its implementation, EXCEL4HOUSING4.0 will produce a rich portfolio of open resources and practical outputs. These will be made publicly available in multiple languages.

Main Deliverables

Skills Intelligence Report

EU-wide labour market analysis, competence profiles, and best practice exchange

Curricula & Learning Resources

Modular training programmes and e-learning toolkits on net-zero buildings, BIM/digitalisation, and circular economy

Curricula & Learning Resources

Modular training programmes and e-learning toolkits on net-zero buildings, BIM/digitalisation, and circular economy

Micro-credentials Framework

Pathways for flexible lifelong learning across EQF levels 3–8

VET Training Academy Resources

Training guides, mobility schemes, and peer learning materials

Business–Education Cooperation Models

Frameworks for cross-border partnerships, apprenticeships, and open innovation

Competence Centre Outputs

Funding models, ESG and EU Taxonomy guidance, and governance tools

Communication Products

Podcasts, infographics, newsletters, policy briefs, and the final “Lessons Learned” publication

Key Targets

250+ learners and staff in cross-border mobility.

20+ long-term business–education partnerships

30+ best practices exchanged

30 SMEs/startups supported

10 national workshops and an EU-level event reaching 5,000 learners

All resources will be accessible through the project website, ensuring transparency, transferability, and long-term impact.

Partnership

EXCEL4HOUSING4.0 brings together 24 partners from education, research, industry, and public sectors. The consortium covers the full innovation and skills ecosystem needed for Housing 4.0.
This transnational structure ensures knowledge transfer, upward convergence, and strong policy alignment, while also providing tailored support to Ukraine in harmonising with EU standards.