On the 29th August 2023, ahead of the second EPBD trilogue under the Spanish Council Presidency, 67 civil society organisations, social, health and environmental NGOs, trade unions and youth movements across Europe have signed onto a joint statement calling on their elected representatives to deliver an ambitious and socially just EU Buildings Directive (EPBD) before the end of the year.

The ‘trilemma’ of rising energy costs, a cost of living crisis and a climate emergency have arrived at our front doors, with millions of households having to choose between eating or heating. Making our homes and buildings energy efficient and renewable-based is the answer to these issues as it can help reduce our dependence on dangerous, expensive and volatile fossil fuels, help shield people from energy poverty, and improve air quality while also combatting the climate crisis.

This starts with a strong EU policy framework, along with investments and resources that can be directed towards activating the relevant actors on the ground who can make the transition in our buildings a reality. Creating more energy efficient homes saves us energy and money, protecting the right to a comfortable and healthy living environment for all.

You can read the joint statement here.

“Mum, are those fireworks?”

“No, dear. It’s the beginning of the war.”

Iryna, a new mother, found herself saying things she never expected. On an ordinary day in February, her life and her family’s life took a sudden turn. This one event forced her to make a decision that would change everything forever.

Iryna, with her mother Tetiana and infant son Sava, had to leave Odesa in Ukraine in search for safety. Her husband and her father stayed back in Ukraine to serve the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Alone and unprepared, Iryna and her mother embarked on a journey full of uncertainty.

“Today the lion of Judah has descended upon my home. He has wiped away my tears,” exclaimed Mary with her hands in the air in exaltation.

As the house kept taking shape, it was evident that the life of Mary 57-year-old mother of 3 and a grandmother to 2 children all of whom are living with disabilities would change for good.

Mary had to squeeze her big family of seven (7), in a small house with rusted corrugated iron sheets without a toilet and bathroom. The 7 include her three (3) daughters who are living with varied disabilities, and her two (2) grandchildren born of her now divorced daughter for bearing children with disabilities.

Habitat for Humanity’s Human Resource Learning and Organisation Development (HRLOD) team participated in a build that will change Mary’s life in Machakos County, Kenya. This is one of the special builds organised  to give staff hands on experience in the field as opposed to the office environment that defines their scope of work.

Bratislava (May 27, 2023)  — Habitat for Humanity International is pleased to announce a new partnership with Umdasch Group, an Austrian-based group of companies active in the construction and retail sector.

The partnership will focus on sponsorship of house constructions and support of the Carter Work Project. Employees of the Doka subsidiary, who specialize in innovative formwork and scaffolding solutions in all areas of construction, will engage in international volunteering events on construction projects in the United States.

“By supporting Habitat in the USA, we can closely dovetail our social commitment with our corporate strategy and thus achieve the greatest possible impact with our available means and resources,” said Wolfgang Litzlbauer, CEO of the Umdasch Group.

The Carter Work Project, an annual home building event organized by Habitat for Humanity and its affiliates, takes its name from the former U.S. president Jimmy Carter and the first lady, Rosalynn, who are celebrated as Habitat’ most famous volunteers. Together, from 1984 until 2019, they served as champions and strong voices for decent, affordable housing around the world, having worked alongside more than 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,390 homes during that time.

“We are grateful for engaged partners such as Umdasch Group, promoting innovative solutions to make construction processes more transparent and sustainable, and helping Habitat build a world where everyone has a decent place to live,” said Rick Hathaway, Habitat’s vice president for Europe and the Middle East.

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand partner up with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

About Umdasch Group

The internationally successful Umdasch Group is active in more than 60 countries at over 170 locations and currently employs around 8,500 people worldwide. The family-owned company is the holding company for three operating divisions. Doka is one of the world’s leading companies for innovative formwork solutions and services in all areas of construction. In addition, the company is a global supplier of sophisticated scaffolding solutions for a wide range of applications. umdasch The Store Makers is a specialist in the design of shop interiors. Consulting and project management make the company an important partner for the retail industry, especially when it comes to innovative concepts for combining traditional stores with online retail. Umdasch Group Ventures is the technology driver and develops new, groundbreaking solutions and business models in both construction and retail.