‘What do you actually do there?’ – We hear this question quite often when we talk about our GreenCircle project. Sure, we have a website, a blog and we are active on LinkedIn. But for many people, it still remains rather abstract in their daily lives.
That’s why we’re taking the time today to explain GreenCircle as we would to our colleagues in the office, in the hallway or over coffee – with specific examples, in a way that’s easy to understand and to the point.
🌱 What is GreenCircle?
GreenCircle is a European project that addresses an important question: How can we make the construction industry more environmentally friendly – and what do professionals need to know and be able to do to achieve this?
To this end, we are developing so-called micro-certificates – small, practical training courses that construction professionals can use for targeted further training. The focus here is on green skills.
GreenCircle is part of a larger whole: It actively supports the implementation of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Because sustainability does not end at national borders – it is a European concern. Our aim is therefore to develop micro-certificates for green skills that are recognised throughout Europe and can be used directly on the labour market – especially by construction companies looking for qualified specialists with sustainable expertise.
♻️ What are green skills?
Green skills are abilities and knowledge that help us to work in a more sustainable way – in other words, in an environmentally friendly, resource-efficient and future-oriented way.
A few examples:
- Energy-efficient construction: Planning and constructing buildings in such a way that they consume less energy.
- Use of sustainable materials: Use of recycled or environmentally friendly building materials.
- Avoiding waste: Thinking about how to reduce or reuse waste during construction.
In short, green skills help to make the construction industry more sustainable – step by step.
🛠 How do we teach this?
Knowledge alone is not enough – it must also be applicable. That is why GreenCircle is working with educational institutions such as the Verein zur Berufsförderung der Bauwirtschaft Nord e.V. to develop specific training concepts (i.e. the micro-certificates mentioned above).
We also involve companies in pilot projects to test what has been learned in practice. Because, as we all know, theory is good, but practice is better!
👉 And what does this mean for our daily lives?
In concrete terms, GreenCircle means the following for our industry and for all of us:
- healthier buildings: fewer pollutants, better air, more comfort.
- lower costs: energy-efficient construction reduces operating costs in the long term.
- More environmental protection: resources are conserved, CO₂ emissions are reduced.
In this way, small steps in training and further education make a big difference – for construction projects, for companies and for the environment.
👉What’s next?
GreenCircle is on the right track. Some highlights:
- We have already developed a system for micro-certifications.
- Now we are creating specific modules that explain exactly how green skills can be implemented in construction.
- These modules are being tested at educational institutions – directly in practice.
- The findings will be shared with partners across Europe.
Sustainability is not a fashion – it is necessary. And it doesn’t have to be complicated. GreenCircle shows: Sustainable action can also be simple, sensible and feasible in the construction industry – and in line with the goals of the EU and the 2030 Agenda.