Here are our members’ testimonies about the benefits of taking part in this mission!
“This event in Bergen, excellently organised by the Cluster, surprised me with the boldness, courage and innovation of the Phoenix project in particular. If it succeeds, which seems guaranteed by the enthusiasm, energy and dedication we felt, it will be proof that it pays to be bold and to support and work on disruptive ideas. On the other hand, this event was a shared opportunity, with special emphasis also on the Portuguese delegation, which was in every way remarkable and brings us extra energy for the challenges of our day-to-day lives. Finally, the contacts made between the participants is a professional and personal asset.
In general terms, this mission was fantastic, it exceeded my expectations in every respect, so I would like to congratulate the organisation and thank all the participants for their friendliness and friendship, which has always been present and will remain so for the future. Thank you very much.”
“Participation in the Mission to Bergen, organised by Cluster Habitat Sustentável, highlighted the difficulties the market faces in implementing a circular economy as a sustainability strategy in the buildings sector. However, this complex context is also a favourable environment for the development of innovative solutions that result from brainstorming between various sub-sectors, as the presentations and meetings that took place during the Mission showed.
The sharing of issues and joint discussion, as well as the development of pilot cases, are key to building coordinated strategies. In my opinion, this mission has mobilised the participants to take joint action to build a sustainable future, and the iteration of the various players, designers, builders and suppliers, from the initial design phase and on a global scale, is crucial.”
“The trip to Norway, organised by Cluster Habitat Sustentável, was a huge success. We had the opportunity to share experiences, learn about innovative projects and explore sustainable construction solutions that are being implemented in that country. The main benefits we derived from this trip include the exchange of good practices, the creation of new national and international partnerships and direct contact with innovative technologies.
The highlights of the trip were undoubtedly the visit to the Phoenix project, where we saw first-hand how a company is integrating sustainability into every stage of the construction process, aiming to reuse 100 per cent of construction materials in a 2200m2 building, and also the ‘mini-summit’ where we were able to attend presentations by various Portuguese and Norwegian companies and then share experiences and contacts with the people in charge. This experience was inspiring and reinforced our commitment to promoting sustainable housing in our own projects. Thanks to the Cluster and all the organisation.”
“The mission to Bergen organised by Cluster Habitat Sustentável stood out for having provided an excellent forum for exchanging innovative approaches to the main challenges of sustainability in the construction sector. The collaborative spirit between the Portuguese and Norwegian entities provided a valuable exchange of technologies and organisational practices, as well as an important space for strengthening ties with partners who, like us, see sustainability challenges as an opportunity to make a difference in our activity. This initiative emphasised the importance of international cooperation in accelerating innovation, contributing to the development of a more efficient and sustainable construction sector.
The multiplier effect resulting from the exchange of experiences between the different organisations was undoubtedly the most rewarding aspect of this mission. Getting to know the projects in both countries that are making a difference in the area of sustainability was not only useful, but above all inspiring. This interaction allowed for a deeper understanding of the different types of solutions on the market, as well as the impact they can have in the future. Finally, the most important resource we brought back from this mission was closer relations with industry partners who share our values and see co-operation as a way of creating a more positive impact on society.”
“The mission provided by Cluster Habitat Sustentável was a valuable opportunity to meet people and companies who share the same vision and challenges of sustainability in construction. The exchange of ideas allowed for closer ties and created an environment conducive to innovation and future synergies that will certainly benefit the sector. Access to new technologies and approaches, presented by both Norwegian and Portuguese companies, reinforces the importance of being at the forefront of knowledge. This mission was undoubtedly a privileged forum for discussing emerging trends and exploring collaborative paths, which I am sure will result in significant advances in the field of sustainability in construction.
know the Portuguese and Norwegian projects up close, allowing for a deeper understanding of their innovative sustainability solutions. Direct interaction with those responsible for the projects and visits to the sites made it possible to see in a practical way how their solutions are being implemented, which created an environment conducive to dialogue and the exchange of ideas. In addition, the opportunity to create solid personal and professional relationships with our colleagues was one of the highlights of the mission. This personal contact and the establishment of national and transnational ties are essential for building lasting collaborations that foster the development of joint solutions.”
“The sharing of good practices with both Norwegian and Portuguese partners was extremely enriching, allowing us to realise the sector’s potential for growth and transformation at a national level, especially with regard to the circular economy, as well as its international positioning.
The multidisciplinary nature of the themes and solutions addressed allowed us to broaden our horizons with regard to sustainability and the future of construction.
I enjoyed meeting the various national and Norwegian organisations and companies, I enjoyed getting to know the city of Bergen and the solutions found within the circular economy in the construction sector.”
“The mission was designed with very specific objectives in terms of circularity practices and fostering bilateral relations with Norwegian organisations. The involvement of the Portuguese organisations responsible for managing the EEA Grants, the Portuguese embassy in Norway and the projects and organisations presented by the Proptech cluster made it possible to share very relevant experiences. It was possible to witness innovative practices on Norwegian soil but also to show what is being done in Portugal. The interest in the subjects on both sides paved the way for a series of follow-up actions, some of which may take place within the scope of the EEA Grants programme.
The most interesting aspects lie in the similarities between the Portuguese and Norwegian sectors, particularly in terms of barriers to innovation and, from a more positive perspective, that there are distinct and, above all, complementary experiences on both sides that could be further developed in the near future.”
“SPRAL’s participation in the mission organised by Cluster Habitat Sustentável in Bergen was a highly enriching experience. The greatest benefit of this mission was the direct contact with technological innovations that promote sustainability in the construction sector. The sessions and presentations gave us a better understanding of the best green building practices, such as reuse, which are essential for the environmental challenges we face.
What we liked most was the atmosphere of international co-operation and the sharing of knowledge focused on technological innovation and sustainable development. This mission was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity to deepen our vision of the future and to contribute to a more responsible and environmentally conscious construction sector.”
“Undoubtedly, realising the work carried out by all the participants allows us to act with a broader vision in the projects we accompany and, more importantly, we have created points of contact in each of our activities, which can certainly complement each other. I can only express my gratitude for the excellent opportunity to take part in this mission, where every interaction was an opening for knowledge.
The most important thing for me was being able to bring back valuable information that opened my mind and made me see other ways of doing things, especially with the fervent performance of the Portuguese delegation. I hope I also left a bit of myself behind for all the professionals I met.”
“As the circularity of buildings and the reuse of building materials is an area in which LNEG has worked through various initiatives, the opportunity to get to know some projects from the Norwegian PROPTECH Innovation Cluster was very enriching. It allowed us to realise that we are all still taking our first steps in this area and I would like to point out that the Phoenix project showed how important the elements of flexibility are in the project, in order to adapt to products and materials that can realistically be reused, and partnerships to access materials and products with confidence, since the matchmaking between supply and demand is far from organised.
The visit to the building and the storage facilities (the existence of which is crucial to making the reuse strategy viable) was excellent, in fact the whole organisation was excellent, as was the interaction with the Norwegian and Portuguese colleagues: rich technically and from a human point of view. Fortunately, this mission doesn’t end with our return to Portugal, as we plan to follow the evolution of Phoenix and continue learning together. On behalf of LNEG, we would like to thank the two clusters, as well as the General Secretariat for the Environment and the National Management Unit of the EEA Grants programme. And special thanks to Cluster Habitat Sustentável for the initiative and invitation.”
“The chance to share good practices between partners in an open and genuine way. The chance to get to know projects in the early stages of development that integrate circular economy principles. The alignment of various partners (promoter, companies, startups and regulators) and risk aversion (duly framed) are important lessons. The request for results from regulators works as results-orientated pragmatism.
The presentation of innovative start-ups with relevant solutions to problems such as reverse logistics (Kontiki), characterisation of existing materials (BirdsView) and selective demolition of concrete (Rockslider). On the part of the promoters, the desire to renovate spaces in a responsible way, albeit iteratively and in the pre-project phase. The municipality’s support and the promoters’ desire to have the project as their flagship are positive signs for those looking to the medium to long term.”
“The mission organised by the Cluster made it possible for all the participants to share knowledge, with very different experiences but common concerns, and acted as a facilitator in finding solutions that promote sustainability and the circular economy in construction.
What I liked most about this mission was the organisation, the people/companies involved, the camaraderie and the spirit of wanting to learn more.”
