News

The e-SAFE team has successfully completed the retrofit of its pilot building in Catania, located at Via Acquicella Porto 27/H, demonstrating the combined benefits of seismic safety and energy efficiency in residential buildings.

On 23rd September, the e-SAFE Final Conference took place in Brussels, marking the conclusion of the project and celebrating five years of innovation, collaboration, and shared vision across Europe. This event served as a key moment for reflecting on the progress made and discussing how integrated renovation solutions can contribute to Europe's building transformation goals.

The 17th International Conference on Sustainability in Energy and Buildings (SEB-25) is set to take place 17–19 September 2025, offering a vital platform for collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals dedicated to sustainable building and urban energy systems.

A recent study published by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission has brought renewed attention to a critical challenge in Europe: the renovation of public buildings, with a particular focus on schools, through strategies that combine energy retrofitting and seismic safety.

We are thrilled to announce the final conference of the e-SAFE project, titled “Enabling Replication: Integrated Renovation for Adaptive and Resilient Buildings”, taking place on September 23, 2025, at the BIP Meeting Centre in Brussels.

On 22 May 2025 the European Commission has launched the 2025–2027 Work Programme for the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument, allocating €176 million to support regional innovation across the European Union.

Our sister project REHOUSE, part of the Network of Building Renovation Projects alongside e-SAFE, has just published its first official press release highlighting the project's contribution to the EU’s green transition in the building sector.

On May 7, 2025, the Smart Readiness Indicator 3rd Joint Event was held in a hybrid format—both in Brussels (at Comet Meetings Louise) and online. The event was organized by the European Commission in collaboration with DG Energy and CINEA, within the framework of the SRI-ENACT Project, funded by the LIFE programme.

The European commission has recently launched a valuable opportunity through a call for evidence, inviting researchers, industry leaders and innovators to share their insights and collaborate to shape the future European strategy for research and technology infrastructure

The 2025 New European Bauhaus Call, part of the Horizon Europe framework programme, are now officially open. This new call aligns closely with initiatives like the e-SAFE project , which promotes innovative and sustainable approaches to retrofitting the built environment — a key focus area in several of the 2025 topics.

The third and final webinar of the e-SAFE Academy series is just around the corner, and this time the focus shifts to one of the most essential—yet often underestimated—aspects of building renovation: thermal systems.

This e-SAFE policy brief on financing highlights how the recast EPBD presents an opportunity to integrate seismic resilience into energy renovation frameworks.

This new e-SAFE policy brief identifies supportive EU policy initiatives and practical ways that the EPBD recast can be used to develop an integrated approach to renovations addressing both seismic safety and energy efficiency.

On January 2025, the University of Catania hosted the first e-TRAINING event, a training activity designed to transfer knowledge about the e-SAFE solutions.

The e-SAFE Academy is back with the second webinar in its series, titled “Envelope Solutions for Seismic and Energy Renovation”. This event will once again bring together researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders to explore innovative solutions and technologies aimed at improving seismic safety and energy efficiency in buildings.

Catania once again welcomed the e-SAFE consortium for the 8th Project Meeting. Over two days, project partners reviewed the latest achievements and resolved challenges faced during four years of implementation, setting the stage for the final development year.

e-SAFE is excited to announce the first appointment of the e-SAFE Academy webinar series, an engaging platform designed to share insights, foster dialogue, and explore innovative solutions in the field of building renovation.

The e-SAFE project was showcased during the GREEN DEAL GREECE 2024 forum by Angelos Protopsaltis, a prominent representative of our partner, SALFO SA.

The e-SAFE project attended the workshop Twin Transition for climate change resilience in the climate vulnerable EU regions during the European Week of Regions and Cities, which focused on how digital technologies, community engagement, and innovative policies can address climate challenges in Europe’s most vulnerable regions.

On September 24, the West University of Timișoara’s Advanced Environmental Research Institute (ICAM) became a focal point for climate and energy transition discussions during the Energy Joint Side Event of the OpenLivingLab Days 2024 (OLLD2024).

The European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek), the largest Brussels-based event dedicated to EU cohesion policy, providing a crucial platform for discussing shared challenges and opportunities across Europe's regions and cities.

Brussels, June 13, 2024 – e-SAFE once again had the privilege of participating in the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), continuing its longstanding commitment to advancing energy efficiency.

On June 4th, the e-SAFE project participated in a webinar organized by BUILD UP and hosted by NEBULA, focusing on the theme "How to Make Renovation More Inclusive and Beautiful? – Renovation Projects Talk About the New European Bauhaus".

The Network of building renovation projects, including e-SAFE and its sister project, oPEN Lab, is delighted to announce an exceptional opportunity for European innovators dedicated to advancing energy solutions.

The vibrant spirit of creativity, sustainability, and inclusivity converged in Brussels from April 9th to April 13th as the second edition of the New European Bauhaus Festival unfolded.

e-SAFE partner Venera Pavone from UNICT is leading the co-design process in the two pilots in Timisoara and Bucharest. This year, she set foot in Bucharest, to meet with the residents of a multi-family apartment building, and to discuss renovation plans that will make the building more energy efficient and seismic-proof.

In a significant milestone for the building renovation sector, the e-SAFE project took part in the Kick-off Meeting of the Network of Building Renovation Projects, a pivotal event organized by the REHOUSE project on March 12th.

In a pivotal event hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), e-SAFE proudly joined hands with two influential Horizon 2020 projects, Save the Homes and re-MODULEES.

On January 24, 2024, e-SAFE participated with great enthusiasm in the event titled "Tackling Energy Poverty in Europe: Time to Renovate Buildings!" This event was organized by our partner, BPIE.

The discussion highlights key insights into the renovation of the building sector, focusing on essential materials and the pivotal role of heat pumps in Europe's buildings. e-SAFE emphasizes its dedication to fostering a comfortable, carbon-neutral, and sustainable environment.

Collaborating with the BUILD UP portal, the EU-funded BUS-GoCircular organised a webinar series highlighting how different stakeholders could join forces to reskill and upskill the building sector workforce with circular skills by highlighting the main takeaways and outcomes of the project!

On November 22th 2023, e-SAFE enthusiastically participated in the conference "The Role of Energy Storage in Energy Community: Assessing Readiness, Needs, and Regulations through ECHO & BEST-Storage projects". The conference, organized by the European Association for the Storage of Energy (EASE), featured presentations from key players in the energy storage sector.

The Circular Cities and Regions Initiative held its first General Conference on November 8th, 2023, marking a significant milestone in advancing Europe's commitment to a circular economy!

On October 25th, 2023, e-SAFE had the pleasure of attending the Covenant of Mayors Investment Forum - Energy Efficiency Finance Market Place (COMIF-EEFMP). It is an annual conference that has been organised since 2018 by the DG ENER, DG CLIMA, and CINEA, in partnership with the Covenant of Mayors initiative.

The revised directive includes groundbreaking measures for buildings, road transport and more!

e-SAFE is honored to have been invited at the 6th insightful webinar of the Zero-Emission Buildings Academy series! The webinar will explore the project's unique approach to seismic and energy renovations in earthquake-prone European regions.

On October 10th, e-SAFE had the pleasure to attend a BUILD UP Webinar focused on building renovation with a special emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability at the district level.

Here's what happened at the B4P Clustering Meeting!

On October 5th, the e-SAFE consortium will organize in Athens the public event “Combined seismic and energy renovation of the EU building stock - The experience of e-SAFE project”.

We are delighted to announce that e-SAFE has received an invitation from CINEA and DG ENER to participate to a clustering meeting organised within the framework of the Built4People (B4P) Partnership!

Don't miss these next three webinars on building energy efficiency organised by BUILD UP, the European portal for energy efficiency and renewable energy in buildings, and ELENA, the European Local ENergy Assistance!

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking has published a call for proposals to support the establishment of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Academy network to facilitate the re-skilling and upskilling of the construction ecosystem.

The 3rd EESC Conference on Energy Poverty, themed “Tackling energy poverty for a just transition”, will take place on 19 July 2023 in Brussels at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

The BUILD UP platform, a reference point for energy efficiency and renewable energy in the building and construction sector, has launched its brand-new portal!

The European Innovation Council (EIC) has published a new open call for the EIC Pathfinder Challenges funding scheme.

Dr. Dobosi is associate professor of architecture at the Polytechnic University of Timișoara and president of the Romanian Association of Building Services Engineers. He played an integral role in identifying potential e-SAFE pilots in Romania and supported the consortium in liaising with local stakeholders. We spoke with Dr. Dobosi about his reflections on how to achieve financing for the project.

Upon the completion of the co-design process in Liceul Sportiv Banatul in March 2023, we sat down with the school’s director, Prof Ramona Roman, to discuss her experience with the process.

On March 29th and 30th the ee-SAFE 6th project meeting took place in Timisoara (Romania), and it’s been 2 days full of exciting events and activities!

Liceul Sportiv Banatul is excited to announce a public event that will be held at the POLITEHNICA University of Timișoara on 30th March, Green and seismic safe schools for Timișoara.

The EPBD deal is adopted, next up: final talks with EU Member States & Commission

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) debate revealed the value of wood construction in helping the EU reach its 2050 goal of carbon neutrality.

To help foster the New European Bauhaus transformation, the EIT Community members are offering support to the most innovative ventures that are driving sustainable change for cities, industries, climate, food, wellbeing and overall quality of life.

The European Commission published the new European Research Area (ERA) roadmap, outlining the main circular technologies and innovation needs for the textile, construction and energy-intensive sectors.

Vera will lead the e-SAFE co-design process on the ground in Timișoara and Bucharest with building owners and citizens.

The building sector has always had a significant impact on the climate crisis; we can no longer afford inefficient, unhealthy, high-emitting buildings. Read all that have been said at COP27 about the importance of the building sector to accelerate actions against climate change

Renovate Europe Conference: “Eyes on the Horizon: Renovating our Buildings to REPower the EU”, an inspiring conference for e-SAFE!

EU energy ministers setting new requirements for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

Check out the winners of e-SAFE Call for Virtual Pilots that will receive free renovation advice to achieve an eco-friendly, earthquake-safe building.

e-SAFE at the Covenant of Mayors Investment Forum a special environment of innovation, research, and hope for a better future!

The European Commission has recently published 9 calls to support activities towards sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply.

e-SAFE took part in the EUSEW2022’s Energy Fair, the largest European annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy and organised by the European Commission

The CETPartnership Joint Call 2022 is looking for projects to develop suitable solutions toward clean energy transition goals.

For the second year the e-SAFE project will be part of the European Sustainable Energy Week, Europe's largest annual event organized by the European Commission and dedicated to renewables and efficient energy.

On 16th September 2022, the e-SAFE and ProGETonE projects will organize a cluster event in Athens.

You still have time to receive free renovation advice to achieve an eco-friendly, earthquake-safe building.

Energy renovation in earthquake-prone areas must be strategically combined with seismic retrofitting by prioritizing the worst-performing buildings in terms of energy performance and structural safety. Its recast is an important opportunity to show that the EPBD is truly designed with the intention to protect vulnerable citizens.

From 8 to 12 June 2022 took place the very first edition of the New European Bauhaus Festival, promoted by the European Commission.

On June 16, the UNICT team part of the e-SAFE project will hold a panel discussion as part of the International Social Housing Festival, which is taking place in Helsinki.

Public and private building owners and managers of multi-storey, non-historical buildings are encouraged to apply by July 15th.

The e-SAFE team has completed the first release of e-DSS, a Decision Support System aimed to assist designers in the preliminary design stage of building renovations based on the e-SAFE technologies.

Upgrade your building to be energy efficient and seismic safe with the e-SAFE system! Work with our team and receive free renovation advice to achieve an eco-friendly, earthquake-safe building. e-SAFE provides your building with affordable renovation solutions to make it energy efficient and earthquake-proof.

e-SAFE applied for the projects showcase opportunity offered by the New European Bauhaus Festival, that will take place from 9 to 12 June 2022 in Brussels.

In December 2021, the European Commission released its proposal to recast the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) with the purpose of aligning it with the more ambitious climate targets for 2030 and 2050. The EPBD is being updated in the context of the broader ''Renovation Wave"...

e-SAFE is among the potential recipients of the 2022 SHC Solar Award.

Professor Giuseppe Margani, Project Coordinator of e-SAFE, has released an interview on FocuSicilia, an online journal focused on the economic and social dimensions of the Italian island.

The European Commission published last month the report of the 2021 European Research and Innovation Days.

Would you like to receive updates regarding e-SAFE project, get the opportunity to contribute with useful feedback related to energy and seismic renovation, and interact and exchange experiences with other professionals in this field? Join the e-SAFE stakeholder community on LinkedIn.

Throughout September 2021 the team at the University of Catania organized intensive co-design workshops that involved the university’s researchers and students, the residents of the local pilot site, IACP representatives, and members from Catania’s an engineering and architecture professional associations.

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) – an e-SAFE partner – is involved in the organization of the 2023 World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE), a biennial excellent platform conceived to promote discussions about the latest advances in the use of wood in structures...

The e-SAFE project was present in the EUSEW main agenda with an Energy Talk held by Professor Gianpiero Evola from UNICT. The energy talk took place online on 28th October 2021 under the full title of «The e-SAFE solutions for the energy and seismic renovation of non-historic buildings». The session aimed at presenting the main challenges and scopes of the e-SAFE project.

The European Commission launched a call for action to stakeholders from the energy sector to create and promote a new platform on equality in the afore-mentioned field.

The e-SAFE team finally meets in person for the first time in Catania!

The e-SAFE project will be part of the EU Sustainable Energy Week 2021, the biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe organized by the European Commission.

The e-SAFE project had the pleasure of being invited at the MATRYCS BDA Introduction Webinar on 27thSeptember.

One of the main challenges of our time is to make our cities more sustainable, promoting specific actions for the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. However, to be considered sustainable, cities must also be safe to live in...

On October 1st, a Workshop with stakeholders will take place within the context of Catania Local Platform and the real pilot of the e-SAFE Project.

On the 9th of July, the University of Catania hosted the launch event of the Catania Local Platform to discuss how the city can become a European model for building renovation.

The University of Catania, the leading partner of e-SAFE, will host a local event on Friday 9th of July 2021, from 5.30 to 8.0 pm (CET) to launch the Catania Local Platform.

Take part in our latest survey and give us your feedback on the retrofitting and renovation markets in the EU.

The European e-SAFE project, officially started on October 1st, will develop a competitive advantage in the construction market, combining both energy and seismic upgrading for the renovation of buildings.

e-SAFE partners from the University of Catania and Moverim, attended the workshop “Integrated techniques for the seismic strengthening and energy efficiency of existing buildings” organized by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission.

The e-SAFE project took part in the SET Plan conference 2020: Making the SET Plan fit for the EU Green Recovery.