Moderation: Anita Blessing / Joost Nieuwenhuijzen, European Federation for Living (EFL)

This webinar, curated by EFL member and partner The Housing Initiative for Eastern Europe (IWO) and part of a long-term series of EFL webinars on changing topics, addresses the challenge of refurbishing the housing stock in Central and Eastern European cities, particularly former public housing blocks where units are now privately owned.

We aim to understand exemplary urban housing challenges in Central and Eastern European countries in the context of urgent decarbonization targets, but equally urgent measures to reach basic decent housing standards amidst a mounting fuel and energy poverty crisis.

We explore regional approaches to (green) retrofits and refurbishments, asking whether European targets are achievable, and to what extent cities are prepared for the green energy transition. Speakers also ask how the humanitarian crisis unfolding out of the war in the Ukraine is shaping the context for meeting both climate targets and urgent housing needs.