Conference: Upcycling Trust - An innovative solution to support energy renovation while safeguarding access to affordable housing

27 February 2025 by
Upcycling Trust

1st April, 14:00-17:00

Ghent, City Hall 


In order to address the increasing housing crisis, improve living conditions and achieve the climate objectives, innovative approaches are needed to accelerate the energy renovation while also safeguarding access to affordable housing. 


The Upcycling Trust project is demonstrating via innovative mechanisms in Belgium, France and Ireland the role Community Land Trusts and Organismes de Foncier Solidaire can play in accelerating energy renovation while addressing the housing crisis for low-income households. This innovative model, which combines legal, organisational, technical and financial measures, provides a powerful solution for a socially just transition.


Join us for the Upcycling Trust conference on the 1st of April in Ghent. At this occasion, policymakers representing participating cities and the EU, as well practitioners from the field of energy renovation will discuss actionable strategies on how to scale up local solutions such as the Upcycling Trust model.


Conference programme

1. Introduction speeches: Matthew Baldwin (European Commission - Directorate-General

for Energy - Task Force Housing) *to be confirmed*, Filip Watteeuw (Alderman of Ghent for Housing and Energy), Alain Maron (Brussels Minister for environment) *to be confirmed* and Sorcha Edwards (Housing Europe).


2. Presentation of the Upcycling Trust project and testimony video about beneficiary residents of the Brussels pilot.


3. Panel discussion and Q&A: Hilde Reynvoet (City of Ghent ), Waldo Galle (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Gilles Guillaume (Gent Knapt Op); Ailbhe Cunningham/Tom O’Donnell (Self Organised Architecture) *to be confirmed*. Moderation: Dali Malnoury (Community Land Trust Brussels).


The conference will be followed by a drink.


Register here


A special thanks to the Mayor of Ghent Mathias De Clercq and to the Alderman for Housing, Environment, Climate and Energy Filip Watteeuw for hosting this event.



 Invitation in a A4 format.