The Step by step guide on how to turn public buildings into nZEB standard aims to support public authorities to identify and manage the renovation process with a particular focus on eCentral project's countries (Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Italy).

Although there was an increased interest for nZEB in Croatia in 2020, further development of all activities in the construction sector was halted or delayed due to global pandemic COVID-19. Recovery is expected to come through new investment cycle in accordance with the European Green Deal.

While the basic principles of social distancing, surface cleaning, disinfection, hand washing and good hygiene in general are still the most important, this is not enough to prevent the transmission of infection. The COVID-19 virus can also be transmitted through the air. To prevent the transmission of infection, action is needed particularly in regard to room ventilation.

Climate protection and the creation of green jobs offer the best economic stimulus in the face of the current economic crisis. As a result, an additional billion will be invested in climate funding in Austria in 2021 and 2022.

Hungarian building sector shows decline due to the pandemic, however compared to other industries it has not been hit as hard. The segment of the family houses even can grow a bit.

BPIE has carried out an analysis of the investment opportunity for Europe’s building sector, which could help mitigate the damage of the COVID-19 pandemic, and should be considered as Europe defines its economic Recovery Package. The total investment opportunity for deep renovation of Europe’s buildings is estimated at €243 billion per year.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Unión de Créditos Inmobiliarios (UCI) have agreed on implementing green investments, such as mortgages and loans, for the refurbishment of properties and new constructions of NZEB in Spain and Portugal.

North-West Croatia Regional Energy Agency was established in 2008 by four regional counties (City of Zagreb, Karlovac, Krapina-Zagorje and Zagreb County) with a mission to play a leading role in transforming North-West Croatia into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices. The agency is committed to providing a comprehensive range of services to both public and private project developers and delivering a range of innovative and sustainable programmes on local, regional and national level.

Energy Agency of Savinjska, Šaleška and Koroška Region is a public institution with 14 employees that offers a substantial amount of expertise relevant to the project, gained through the successful implementation of numerous activities in the field of energy efficiency, exploitation of renewable energy sources and energy management of local communities. 
The Agency has experience in the development of local energy concepts, sustainable energy action plans as well as providing feedback on proposed national energy strategies. 

The Energy Agency of Styria is a non-profit private limited company, owned by the federal state of Styria. The Agency works on current challenges related to energy efficiency and sustainable energy supply and is divided in three departments’ buildings & energy, municipalities & regions and project development in the field of renewable energies. Main task of the Agency is supporting the implementation of the federal energy strategy of Styria along with municipalities, citizens and industry.

Energiaklub Climate Policy Institute applied Communications has been working on energy issues for more than 26 years in Hungary as a private, non-profit NGO. Its work concentrates on climate and energy policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate mitigation and adaptation. Energiaklub conducts research activities, develops SECAPs for municipalities, provides training courses, and carries out communication campaigns with the aim to make policy decision-makers, energy producers and consumers regard energy in a sustainable way.

Although it is the youngest town in Zagreb County, Sveta Nedelja dates back to medieval times and has proudly preserved its historical heritage until today.
Situated at the western gate of Zagreb, with approximately 18.000 citizens, the city is among most prosperous small towns in Croatia, evidenced by a large number of SMEs. Sveta Nedelja is one of the frontrunners of sustainable development in Croatia, having developed a SEAP and a funding scheme for implementation of EE and RES in households.

Velenje is the youngest and 6th largest city in Slovenia in terms of population. It is an economic, political and cultural centre of the Savinja-Šalek Region. Velenje has very vivid international cooperation reflected in already established cooperation with many comparable cities across Europe and active participation on various EU Programs. Velenje is trying to apply best practices from other cities into his own environment, aiming to become the best practice example regarding rehabilitation of the environment and diminishing of negative consequences of mining.

The 18th district of Budapest – Pestszentlőrinc-Pestszentimre – was founded in 1950 by combining two independent settlements. Today they host 22 residential quarter with a total of nearly 100.000 inhabitants. The 79% of the population lives in Pestszentlőrinc, while the 21% in Pestszentimre. The Péterhalmi forest lies between the 2 parts of the district. The district has mainly residential character with a majority of family houses, with more residential estates and some of the major industrial facilities.

Eurac Research is an advanced, private non-profit research and training centre established in 1992 in Bolzano (Italy) with about 370 collaborators from different nationalities. The centre has eleven institutes organized into four research areas: autonomies, mountains, technology and health. The Institute for Renewable Energy supports research on Sustainable Heating and Cooling Systems, Energy Efficient Buildings, Energy Retrofit of Historic Buildings, Photovoltaic Energy Systems and Urban and Regional Energy Systems.