Introduction to the circular economy in construction

On 11 June 2026, Embuild.Brussels hosted in Brussels the first pilot session of the training course “Introduction to the circular economy in construction”, developed as part of the European Erasmus+ project L2C (Linear2Circular).


The course is aimed at SME owners and staff with responsibilities within construction companies (project managers, site managers, executives, commercial roles), and seeks to help them embed circularity concretely in their business model. It was designed by Embuild.Brussels on the basis of its sector expertise, of the needs identified in the L2C survey of nearly 200 professionals across five countries, and of the catalogue of circular good practices developed within the project. The Brussels session brought together 12 participants from 7 companies: an audience of managers and decision-makers from the construction sector, with complementary profiles but all in a position to change the way their company works.

Designed to be short, concrete and participative, the training runs over three hours around five themes: waste, reuse, sustainable materials, business management and reversible design. It was co-delivered by two trainers with complementary areas of expertise, which helped keep up a good pace. Rather than a mere lecture, it favours discussion and exercises: to make the content tangible, the sustainable-materials theme drew on Embuild’s material library, with samples of insulation and innovative materials passed around for participants to examine, which was particularly appreciated. Participants took an active part in the question-and-answer moments and, in the final argumentation exercise, worked on two client profiles: the sceptical contractor and the conservative architect. The feedback is very positive.

The guiding thread of the training is that it is directly actionable: each theme closes on two good practices that participants can put in place the very next day (for example, using a waste check-list, carrying out a pre-demolition inventory, or favouring local and bio-based materials), with the full set of practices available in detail on the linear2c.eu website.

On the strength of these first results, Embuild.Brussels is now integrating this course into its own programme and plans to offer it once or twice a year as an open session, as well as on demand as in-company training.