The project activities have started back in 2015 with preparation of all necessary prerequisites as training programmes, aids and teams of trained trainers. Nowadays, training programmes for a number of courses targeted to different educational levels and professional disciplines are available and in exploitation, covering the selected target groups in each country. A definite highlight of the project are the Terms of Reference for the setting up and equipment of the BKHs, which have been used not only to establish the 7 training centers in the project, but also 5 new centers in Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Bulgaria supported by private investments and the subsequent Fit-to-NZEB project. Teams of trained trainers are also available for each BKH, undergoing an international course in Dublin and intensive dedicated local courses. The pilot training activities started in 2016, when the BKHs were opened in all 5 participating countries - in many cases in partnership with leading local training and education providers.
BKH-Bulgaria is set up in the premises of the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia – the most renowned educational institution in this area. A highlight of this cooperation is the start of a joint Masters programme on energy efficiency in buildings and a number of training courses organized jointly with the Bulgarian Construction Chamber.
BKH-Romania is set up in the facilities of URBAN-INCERC, the national authority responsible for sustainable construction and urban development. The Romanian team has already established a number of partnerships with other national and local authorities, universities, business actors and VET providers. A second center was set up in Brasov, especially successful for RES-related qualification courses, officially recognized by the Romanian national educational system.
BKH-Czech Republic, situated in the center of Prague, is set up in cooperation with the Architectural and Building Foundation (ABF), the oldest and most established training provider for both architects and construction workers. Three Train-to-nZEB courses were approved for accreditation in the Czech Republic by the Czech Chamber of Chartered Engineers and Technicians.
BKH-Turkey is situated in EGE University, engaging the strong academic community in Izmir but also transferring knowledge to other cities and universities. The team has succeeded to attract a number of supporters from the business sector as well as the local professional associations. The interest was becoming so strong that a new training center had to be opened in Balikesir university, targeting better outreach to the still hardly accessible target group of blue-collar workers.
BKH-Ukraine is a definite highlight of the project, as despite limited financing for equipment, the partnership with the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (KNUCA) and nearly 30 local companies has enabled the establishment of a fully operational and highly successful BKH. The training courses in Ukraine are running successfully with a notable accent on certification of building energy auditors.
A major highlight of the project has proven to be the streamlined communication campaign, involving a wide selection of traditional and web-based communication channels tailored to the needs of the target groups and active engagement of all project partners, which has not only enabled the achievement of project targets but has also set up a solid basis for sustainable continuation of the activities of the BKHs beyond project's duration.
