Affordable Housing Initiative Days – Day 1 – Seminar

As the European Union launches its first-ever dedicated housing plan, the Affordable Housing Initiative European Partnership, coordinated by Housing Europe, provides a timely platform to bridge ground-level practice and policy development around two key — yet often overlooked — levers for the just renovation of Europe’s housing stock: procurement and partnerships.

The first part of the discussion will explore the critical role of public procurement. On the one hand, invited speakers will take stock of the practical challenges faced by cities, housing providers and SMEs, including procedural complexity, restrictive criteria and capacity gaps. On the other, we will showcase successful models that demonstrate how procurement can act as a catalyst for innovation, community engagement and energy efficiency. The session will culminate in a strategic exchange on how to institutionalise these good practices at European level, involving key actors such as local governments and the European Commission.

Following a networking break, the second lever — partnerships and coalitions — will shift the focus to the collaborative dimension. A keynote address on coalition-building will set the scene for a discussion among practitioners, highlighting the value of collaboration and the human journey behind forming alliances, overcoming obstacles and integrating residents’ voices. A final debate will address what is still missing at local level to create the conditions for both informal and formal cooperation.

Participants will gain practical insights into how procurement can be mobilised as an innovation driver, and will identify the essential ingredients for building strong, trust-based coalitions capable of delivering large-scale neighbourhood transformation.

This session is designed for city representatives, housing providers, researchers, and industry partners committed to socially inclusive housing provision.

How can cities shape affordable, high-quality housing through procurement, innovation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration? 

The AHI Days are a side event of the Energy Cities Annual Forum in collaboration with the city of Guimarães. Discover the full programme.

Due to the high interest, the event is now sold out.

AGENDA – DAY 1 (DISCOVER DAY 2 HERE)

✅ Download the Seminar programme

Venue: Sociedade Martins Sarmento R. Paio Galvão 2, Guimarães, Portugal 

14:00 — Official Welcome

Marco Corradi, President, Housing Europe

14:05 — The new EU plan for Housing

An overview of the EU’s strategy to ensure access to affordable housing across Europe.
Edit Lakatos, European Commission Housing Task Force

14:15 — The Affordable Housing Initiative Partnership

An introduction to the EU-wide programme supporting skills development in the affordable housing sector and delivering renovation projects centred on residents’ needs.
Iker Ayerbe, European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency

14:25 — Part 1: Procurement – the Good, the Bad and the Roadmap

Moderated by Fernando Sigchos Jimenez, European Builders Confederation

The “Good”: success stories in public procurement

Showcasing proven public procurement models that deliver value for both buyers and communities.

Presentations:

• Build Up Speed and Offsite Hub Italy — Chiara Stanghini, EDERA
• Transparency and social value quantification — José Maria Escolástico, Bilbao Social Housing

14:45 — The “Bad”: practical struggles with procurement

A discussion of real-world challenges in navigating procurement frameworks, including complexity, restrictive criteria, and uneven capacity.

Panellists:
Özgur Öner (Federal Association of German Housing and Real Estate Companies Associations)
Michele Bartolomei (ART-ER Emilia-Romagna)
Benedek Jávor (City of Budapest)

15:15 — The Roadmap

A forward-looking discussion on embedding and scaling good procurement practices across Europe.

Panellists:
Sorcha Edwards (Housing Europe)
Kees Verschoor (City of Utrecht)
João Carvalhosa (Gebalis, Public Housing Enterprise of Lisbon)
Ana Proença (Institute of Housing and Urban Rehabilitation of Portugal)

Networking Coffee Break An opportunity to connect with fellow participants.

16:00 — Part 2: Building partnerships and coalitions – the social fabric of innovation

Moderated by João Gonçalves, Housing Europe

Keynote: The role of partnerships in successful district housing projects

Queena Qian, Technical University of Delft

16:10 — Fireside Chat: Stories from the Ground

A conversation with Responsible Housing Awards winners, focusing on how partnerships are built, challenges resolved, and how residents shape outcomes.

Panellists:
Fernanda Rodrigues (Matosinhos Habit)
Maria Chiara Cela (DAR=CASA cooperative)
José Tellez (Sostre Civic)

Moderated by Margherita Marinelli

16:40 — What is lacking at the local level

A debate on building effective partnerships in social and affordable housing, focusing on trust, transparency, co-development, resources, and skills.

Panellists:
Mohamed Ridouani (Mayor of Leuven, President of Energy Cities)
Queena Qian (Technical University of Delft)
Francesca Spigarolo (Fondazione Housing Sociale)
Álvaro Salamanca (GNE Finance)
Fernando Sigchos Jimenez (European Builders Confederation)

Moderated by João Gonçalves

17:20 — Takeaways and Closing Remarks

Sorcha Edwards, Housing Europe
Claire Roumet, Energy Cities

17:25 — Political momentum: Building Brighter, Fairer Housing Futures

Mohamed Ridouani (Mayor of Leuven, President of Energy Cities)
Marco Corradi (Housing Europe)
Fernando Sigchos Jimenez (European Builders Confederation)

Due to the high interest, the event is now sold out.