This Week in Construction & Housing — Brussels (#13, 2026)
EP committees review 2028-2034 cohesion fund; housing, regional innovation and energy infrastructure in focus; €2m EGF aid for Belgian steel workers; permitting and grid proposals discussed.
April 05, 2026 to April 11, 2026
EP committees review 2028-2034 cohesion fund; housing, regional innovation and energy infrastructure in focus; €2m EGF aid for Belgian steel workers; permitting and grid proposals discussed.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Regional Development (REGI): On April 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Regional Development (REGI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting; Date of next meetings.
EU Council
Upcoming: Informal Transport Ministers Meeting to Address Infrastructure Priorities
Transport ministers are scheduled to meet informally under the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council on 28 April 2026. The agenda is expected to centre on energy infrastructure, regional connectivity and the implementation of EU policy priorities in the context of the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. No further details were provided in advance of the meeting.
EP Committee Work
BUDG Committee: Building Policy and EU Office Premises—Lease and Renovation Proposals Considered
The Committee on Budgets (BUDG) met on 8 April 2026 to review several building policy matters, including early warnings for proposed leases for EU Delegations in Ivory Coast and Armenia, and the renovation of EU-owned premises in Paris. Rapporteur Olivier Chastel (Renew) led discussions on these proposals as part of the committee's ongoing building policy oversight.
BUDG Committee: European Investment Bank Group—Annual Report 2025 Examined
The committee agenda included consideration of the draft report on the financial activities of the European Investment Bank Group for 2025. Rapporteur Joachim Streit (Renew) presented the report, with a deadline for amendments set for 16 April 2026. Key issues relate to EIB financing, regional investment strategies, and oversight arrangements.
BUDG Committee: Mobilisation of European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Belgian Workers
On 8 April 2026, the BUDG Committee adopted its draft report on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to support 507 workers laid off after the Liberty Steel Belgium bankruptcy in April 2025. Rapporteur Matthias Ecke (S&D) presented the measure, which totals €2 million. The plenary vote is scheduled for late April.
BUDG Committee: 2026 Budget Transfers and Section III—Commission
The BUDG Committee discussed budget transfers for 2026, with Rapporteur Andrzej Halicki (EPP) presenting transfer request DEC 5/2026. Transfers concerning both the Commission and the European Ombudsman were reviewed, with related building requests also on the agenda. Further decisions will be taken in subsequent meetings.
BUDG Committee: Study Presented on EU Support for Natural Disasters and Post-2027 MFF Proposals
On 8 April 2026, BUDG Committee members were presented with a study on EU support for natural disasters, assessing the adequacy of proposals for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework. The study is intended to inform future budgetary planning and the alignment of disaster response instruments with new MFF structures.
CONT Committee: Discharge Report on 2024 EU Budget Implementation and Development Funds
On 10 April 2026, the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) published its report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the 2024 general budget of the EU, Section III—Commission and executive agencies, and the ninth, tenth and eleventh European Development Funds. Rapporteur Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA) provided observations on audit findings, performance, and compliance with regulatory frameworks relevant for regional and housing policy.
REGI Committee: Horizon Europe 2028–2034—Regional Innovation and Cohesion Emphasised in Opinion
On 7 April 2026, the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) adopted its opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing Horizon Europe for 2028–2034. Rapporteur Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza (ECR) underlined the need for stronger synergies between research funding and cohesion policy, and called for support for regional innovation ecosystems, smart specialisation, and balanced funding distribution across EU territories.
ENVI Committee: Draft Opinions on Energy Infrastructure, Permitting, and Regional Development for 2028–2034
On 8–9 April 2026, the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) published draft opinions on the Commission's proposals for guidelines on trans-European energy infrastructure and on the acceleration of permit-granting procedures. Rapporteurs Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska (EPP) and Rasmus Nordqvist (Greens/EFA) addressed integrated energy markets, resilience, and climate-neutral planning for the 2028–2034 period.
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SANT Committee: Draft Opinion on European Fund for Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion 2028–2034
On 7 April 2026, the Committee on Public Health (SANT) published its draft opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028–2034. Rapporteur Victor Negrescu (S&D) focused on health-related infrastructure and social housing aspects within the framework.
