Join us for the final event of the European Life BE FREE project, where public authorities, academia, businesses, and civil society have come together to advance energy renovation financing in Belgium.
What to expect?
The Life BE FREE project aims to develop innovative financing solutions while addressing legal, administrative, and information barriers. It brings together an entire ecosystem to accelerate the energy transition in Belgium.
During this event, you will have the opportunity to:
Discover the project’s key results and lessons learned, and look ahead to Life BE FREE 2.0, which will be carried forward by the Belgian Green Building Council (BGBC) and the Belgian Energy Efficiency Financial Coalition (BEEFiC).
Explore the latest recommendations on the ESCO model and the renovation of public buildings.
Connect with renovation experts, discover innovative solutions, and exchange ideas with peers and other professionals in the field.
Programme
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 9.00 – 9.30 | Registration & coffee |
| 9.30 – 10.00 | Introduction and 2026 achievements |
| 10.00 – 10.45 | Keynote by Claudia Carani on a European citizen-led project: an Italian case study |
| 10.45 – 11.00 | Coffee break |
| 11.00 – 12.15 | Five ESCO projects: • Luminus Solutions in a Walloon city • Watt Matters in a co-owned residential building in Brussels • Kelvin Solutions in Mortsel • Wattson and Korian in a rest home • Deplasse & Associés |
| 12.15 – 12.30 | Life BE FREE 2.0 |
| 12.30 – 14.00 | Networking lunch & showcase of inspiring pilot projects |
| 14.00 – 14.15 | Introduction |
| 14.15 – 14.45 | Achievements of the Life BE FREE 1.0 project |
| 14.45 – 15.45 | Panel discussion with the consortium leaders: initial commitments, lessons learned, and future challenges • Niko Demeester, CEO, Embuild • Karel Baert, CEO, Febelfin • Magali Frankl, CEO, The Shift • Wim Dries, President, VVSG • Piet Colruyt, Impact Capital / Wattson • Vincent Duchêne, IDEA Consult |
| 15.45 – 16.00 | Coffee break |
| 16.00 – 16.30 | Panel discussion with the Belgian Green Building Council (BGBC) and the Belgian Energy Efficiency Financial Coalition (BEEFiC) |
| 16.30 – 18.30 | Networking reception |
Who is this for?
This event is open to everyone working to advance energy renovation in the building sector, including:
Local and regional public authorities committed to creating a more sustainable built environment.
Companies and sector organisations focused on innovation and the energy transition.
Researchers and research institutions challenging conventional renovation models.
Professionals engaged in sustainable renovation and climate solutions.
Speakers
Head of EU Projects and Innovation (AESS, Italië)
CEO Embuild
CEO Febelfin
CEO The Shift
President VVSG
Impact Capital / Wattson
IDEA Consult
Partners
In this Community of Practice you will work with other companies and biodiversity experts to put biodiversity at the heart of your organization. You will learn how to develop a nature strategy that ensures concrete and structured progress and conforms to international standards.
What to expect?
This Community of Practice guides you step by step in building a nature strategy. After this session you will have:
tools to set ambitions and goals,
inspiration through a leader’s testimony,
valuable insights and practical advice from peers from other sectors and biodiversity experts.
Programme
With this fourth session of our Community of Practice, we will start the second phase of the ACT-D framework and work on the component Commit. After mapping the impact and dependencies of nature and identifying risks and opportunities, we are ready to set ambitions and goals.
We will explore the underlying theory, be introduced to a selection of practical tools, and listen to the experiences of organizations that have already put this approach into practice.
Speakers
Head of Strategy & Lead Beeometrics bij BeeOdiversity
Senior Biodiversity Consultant bij Arcadis
Who is this for?
This session is part of the Community of Practice Build your Biodiversity Strategy and is open only to (non-)members who have registered for the full course.
More information can be found here or at charlotte.moreau@theshift.be.
Our partners
The construction sector is undergoing fundamental changes due to climate goals, regulations, and increasingly scarce raw materials. This information session will introduce you to the “Moving the Building Ecosystem” learning network—a platform where companies, government agencies, and experts come together to actively shape the transition in the construction value chain.
What to expect?
Moving the Building Ecosystem offers a broad perspective on the current challenges and opportunities within the sector, an open learning environment where participants can work with peers to ask the right questions, and practical tools for translating priorities into a future-proof strategy.
Understanding the Approach: Discover how the program is structured, learn how the collaboration works, and gain insight into the tools and support you’ll receive as a participant.
Clarity on expectations: Find out what level of commitment is required, how much time you’ll need to invest, and what the specific benefits are for your organization.
See if it’s a good fit: learn how this learning network aligns with your organization’s decarbonization process and how you can integrate it into your broader sustainability strategy.
Who is this for?
Are you involved in the construction industry as a developer, architect, contractor, or supplier of building materials, and do you want to better understand where environmental and climate impacts arise, align your teams, and collaborate with partners to reduce those impacts?
Our partners
Ready for more?
Discover our other events and learning networks:
On average, supply chain emissions are more than 11 times higher than a company’s direct emissions. In other words, Scope 3 plays a key role in any decarbonisation journey. In this community of practice, you will exchange with peers and experts on tangible strategies to mobilise suppliers and reduce emissions on a large scale.
The climate challenge is growing and European regulations are changing rapidly. Organisations need to think ahead and take targeted action. In this learning network, you join forces with other pioneers. You will translate ambitions into effective actions and, supported by a scientific framework, work towards a well-founded and future-proof net-zero strategy.
Reaching net zero can be a bumpy road, but you don’t have to walk it alone. This info session introduces the Journey to Net Zero Community of Practice and shows you how to get your organization on the move.
What to expect?
Journey to Net Zero is designed to empower organisations with the strategies, tools, and network needed to achieve net-zero emissions through a science-based and action-oriented approach.
The webinar will provide an overview of the programme: its structure and timetable, the experts involved, and what you can expect to gain – allowing you to understand how this initiative aligns with your organisation’s ambitions.
It will also provide an excellent opportunity to ask questions or seek clarifications about the CoP.
After this session you will have:
Understand the CoP framework: Gain insights into how the programme is set up, including its collaborative approach and the resources available to participants.
Clarify expectations: Learn about the commitments involved in participating, the time investment required, and the potential benefits for your organisation.
Evaluate alignment: Determine how participating in this CoP aligns with your organisation’s current stage in the decarbonisation process and strategic objectives.
Who is this for?
This session is particularly relevant for (sustainability) managers looking to strengthen their decarbonisation approach.
Are you considering participating in Journey to Net Zero, but would like some more info first? Then sign up using the registration form at the bottom of this page.
Already convinced that this Community of Practice is precisely what you need? Apply here.
Our partners
Ready for more?
Discover our other events and learning networks:
On average, supply chain emissions are more than 11 times higher than a company’s direct emissions. In other words, Scope 3 plays a key role in any decarbonisation journey. In this community of practice, you will exchange with peers and experts on tangible strategies to mobilise suppliers and reduce emissions on a large scale.
The construction sector is undergoing a fundamental shift, driven by climate targets, evolving regulation and growing resource scarcity. This calls for more than purely technical solutions.
In this community of practice, The Shift brings together businesses, public authorities and experts to actively shape the transition across the construction value chain. Because together we are stronger.
As the construction sector is undergoing critical transformations, it is important for organisations to move from isolated, technical actions to more comprehensive decisions. This info session introduces the Moving the Building Ecosystem Community of Practice (CoP) and engages a variety of actors working across the entire value chain in developing a resilient climate strategy.
What to expect?
Moving the Building Ecosystem provides a broad view of the current state of the sector, an open learning environment to ask the right questions together with peers, and practical tools to translate priorities into a climate action plan.
Understand the CoP framework: gain insights into how the programme is set up, including its collaborative approach and the resources available to participants.
Clarify expectations: Learn about the commitments involved in participating, the time investment required, and the potential benefits for your organisation.
Evaluate alignment: Determine how in this CoP aligns with your organisation’s current stage in the decarbonisation process and strategic objectives.
Programme
The webinar will provide an overview of the programme: its structure and timetable, the experts involved, and what you can expect to gain, allowing you to learn how this initiative aligns with your organisation’s ambitions.
Who is this for?
This session is particularly relevant for organisations active in the building ecosystem willing to work with their peers and take effective decisions addressing their entire value chain.
Our partners
Ready for more?
Discover our other events and learning networks:
On average, supply chain emissions are more than 11 times higher than a company’s direct emissions. In other words, Scope 3 plays a key role in any decarbonisation journey. In this community of practice, you will exchange with peers and experts on tangible strategies to mobilise suppliers and reduce emissions on a large scale.
The climate challenge is growing and European regulations are changing rapidly. Organisations need to think ahead and take targeted action. In this learning network, you join forces with other pioneers. You will translate ambitions into effective actions and, supported by a scientific framework, work towards a well-founded and future-proof net-zero strategy.
Reaching net zero can be a bumpy road, but you don’t have to walk it alone. This info session introduces the Journey to Net Zero Community of Practice (CoP) and shows you how to get your organization on the move.
What to expect?
With Journey to Net Zero, your organization takes purposeful steps towards net zero, supported by concrete strategies, practical tools and a strong network. During this online session you will discover the program, meet the experts and see how to translate ambition into action, with room for questions and an open dialogue between policy and practice.
After this session you will:
understand the approach: you see how the program works and what you get,
have clarity on expectations: you know what we are asking and what it will bring,
check if it fits: you determine if this fits within your strategy.
Programme
During this session you will get a clear picture of the structure, timing and experts behind the program, and you will discover what it can do for your organization, with space to ask all your questions.
Who is this for?
This session is aimed primarily at for (sustainability) managers who want to strengthen their strategy around decarbonization. Are you considering joining Journey to Net Zero, but would like some more info first? Then this session is for you.
Our partners
Ready for more?
Discover our other events and learning networks:
On average, supply chain emissions are more than 11 times higher than a company’s direct emissions. In other words, Scope 3 plays a key role in any decarbonisation journey. In this community of practice, you will exchange with peers and experts on tangible strategies to mobilise suppliers and reduce emissions on a large scale.
The construction sector is undergoing a fundamental shift, driven by climate targets, evolving regulation and growing resource scarcity. This calls for more than purely technical solutions.
In this community of practice, The Shift brings together businesses, public authorities and experts to actively shape the transition across the construction value chain. Because together we are stronger.
Within the ACT-D framework, we build on insights into your organisation’s impacts and dependencies, translating them into concrete risks and opportunities. Through practical tools, peer exchange, and an inspiring real-life example, you will gain clear, actionable guidance to move forward.
What to expect?
In the third session of the community of practice Build your Biodiversity Strategy, we conclude the first phase of the ACT-D framework and move from insight to action. Together, we identify biodiversity-related risks and opportunities, supported by practical tools, peer experiences, and an inspiring on-site case at Hesbaye Frost.
Participants go home with:
an overview of risks and opportunities,
inspiration through a testimonial from a former participant,
practical insights and advice from peers across sectors and biodiversity experts.
Programme
This third session marks the conclusion of the first phase of the ACT-D framework. After mapping your organisation’s impacts and dependencies on nature, we now take the next step: identifying and defining the associated risks and opportunities.
Speakers
Senior Manager, KPMG
Partner Climate Change & Sustainability Services, Ernst & Young
Who is this for?
This session is part of the community of practice Build your Biodiversity Strategy and is only open to (non-)members who have registered for the full series. Questions? Contact charlotte.moreau@theshift.be.
Our partners
How are the Belgian regions translating the European EPB Directive into concrete policy and practice? During this national roundtable, we will explore the different approaches, exchange experiences on key challenges and discuss how to accelerate the renovation wave.
What to expect?
Buildings in Belgium are among the largest energy consumers in Europe. Their large-scale renovation therefore represents a complex challenge. During this roundtable, you will gain insight into the plans of the three Belgian regions to implement the European EPB Directive (deadline: 31 May 2026). What choices have been made? Where do we stand today? And what does this mean for the different stakeholders involved?
This session focuses on transparency, dialogue and mutual understanding between policy and practice.
Programme
| 9:00 - 9:30 | Welcome & registration |
| 9:30 - 10:00 | The Belgian context based on the Rebuild Belgium report |
| 10:00 - 11:30 | Presentation of the three regional transpositions of the European EPB Directive: Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels |
| 11:30 - 11:50 | Break |
| 11:50 - 12:30 | Practical case from the field |
| 12:30 - 13:00 | Final exchange and conclusions |
| 13:00 | Closing remarks |
Who is this for?
The national roundtable of the Life BE FREE project brings together those who want to make a difference: local authorities, financial institutions, ESCOs, companies, construction sector actors, academics and policymakers at different levels. In short, anyone committed to advancing the sustainable renovation of the building stock.
Our partners
During this second session of the learning network Build your Biodiversity Strategy, you will work alongside other companies and biodiversity experts on the first step of the ACT-D framework: identifying, assessing and prioritising your organisation’s impacts and dependencies on nature. This will help you lay a key foundation for a biodiversity strategy embedded in your core activities and aligned with international standards.
What to expect?
During this second session of the learning network Build your Biodiversity Strategy, we will explore the first step of the ACT-D framework. You will learn how to identify, assess and prioritise your organisation’s impacts and dependencies on nature, enabling you to focus your actions on the most material issues.
After this session, you will go home with:
an initial assessment of your impacts and dependencies,
inspiration through a testimonial from a former participant,
valuable insights and practical advice from peers in other sectors and biodiversity experts.
Speakers
Senior Manager, KPMG
Who is this for?
This session is part of the Community of Practice Build your Biodiversity Strategy and is only open to (non-)members who have registered for the full series.
Our partners
Interested in learning more?
During this second session of the learning network Build your Biodiversity Strategy, you will work alongside other companies and biodiversity experts on the first step of the ACT-D framework: identifying, assessing and prioritising your organisation’s impacts and dependencies on nature. This lays the foundation for a biodiversity strategy embedded in your core activities and aligned with international standards.
Healthy soils are the quiet foundation of our food systems, water management and climate resilience. During this field visit at Soil Capital, you will discover what regenerative agriculture looks like in practice and what it means for organisations that want to play a role in restoring nature.
How do you remain true to your values when it truly matters? This final session helps you build the courage and resilience to stay on track, even in challenging circumstances.
What to expect?
In this final module, we focus on ACTING: translating your values and insights into courageous, thoughtful action. What helps you move forward and stay the course, even in the face of resistance or uncertainty?
We take the time to reflect on your next step, personally and within your organisation, and bring the journey to a shared close.
In this session, participants will:
explore what is holding them back from taking action and how they can break through those barriers;
translate their personal motivation and values into concrete, courageous steps;
learn how to navigate resistance and uncertainty without losing their sense of direction;
experience the power of small actions with great meaning, aligned with their intention.
Who is this for?
This session is exclusively available to participants of the full programme Developing Your Inner Skills: a learning network by The Shift, in collaboration with Innerpreneurs.
Speakers
Expert at Entrepreneuriat & Transition
Expert at Entrepreneuriat & Transition
Our partners
Curious about more?
Discover our other communities of practice:
Work alongside other CEOs and experts to explore the mission, structure and governance of your organisation, guided by the Doughnut Design for Business model. You become part of a community of like-minded leaders who, just like you, are committed to building a future-proof business model and creating meaningful change.
