The META BUILD project -"Powering the METAmorphosis of BUILDings towards a decarbonised and sustainable energy system" - was presented during the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Energy Agency of Plovdiv, held on 29–30 April 2025.
The two-day event featured a Regional Energy Conference (“All Bulgarian and European Smart Cities Together”) and a Round Table (“Covenant of Mayors and the Future of Our Cities”), co-organised by the EU Covenant of Mayors and the Energy Agency of Plovdiv. It served as a major meeting point for leaders and innovators passionate about urban development, energy transformations, and building decarbonisation technologies.
High-level participants included representatives from the European Commission, national ministries and parliaments, European energy agencies, mayors, NGOs, and businesses, joined by municipal experts and citizens. The event took place under the patronage of Prof. Hristina Yancheva, Regional Governor of Plovdiv, who officially welcomed attendees. Mr. Haka Sakabov, Deputy Mayor for Construction, Investments and Municipal Property of Plovdiv Municipality, also attended the opening ceremony.
META BUILD in the Spotlight
At the Plovdiv event, META BUILD’s contribution was showcased through a poster exhibition in the conference hall, provoking discussions on practical technologies for heating and cooling decarbonisation in line with climate objectives.
In addition, the META BUILD poster “Metamorphosis of Buildings towards Sustainable Energy Use and Low Carbon Footprint” was displayed at an outdoor exhibition in the centre of Plovdiv, where it was viewed by thousands of citizens, boosting public awareness of energy transition solutions. Finally, META BUILD was also featured in the official anniversary yearbook of the Energy Agency of Plovdiv, distributed to all participants and partners, ensuring that the project’s message will continue to reach stakeholders across Bulgaria and Europe.
Key Takeaway
The Plovdiv celebrations highlighted that the “smart city” vision goes far beyond technology, requiring a holistic approach where intelligent infrastructure, renewable integration, and innovative digital tools drive the accelerated decarbonisation of buildings. META BUILD’s presence demonstrated how EU-funded research and innovation is already delivering concrete solutions to make this transformation a reality across Europe.
Summary & Key Highlights
Event details: April 29–30, 2025 – Regional Energy Conference and Round Table (Plovdiv, Bulgaria) celebrating the Energy Agency of Plovdiv’s 25th anniversary eu-mayors.ec.europa.eu
META BUILD highlights: Horizon Europe-funded decarbonization project (2024–2027, €15.54 million)
Technology portfolio: heat pumps, PV/PVT, battery storage, digital twins, AI controllers.
Demonstrations and replications across multiple EU countries.
Public outreach: Poster exhibitions (indoors and outdoors) and inclusion in event yearbook amplified visibility locally and across partner networks.
See the programme here