Building Strategic Alliances
UIPI collaborates with key European and international organizations to strengthen the voice of property owners and advance shared objectives in housing, energy efficiency, and urban development.
Through strategic partnerships, UIPI engages with diverse stakeholders including European institutions, industry associations, and civil society organizations to promote balanced policies and best practices.
Strategic Partnerships
URBAN Intergroup
About the URBAN Intergroup
The URBAN Intergroup at the European Parliament is a cross-parties and cross-committees grouping with a horizontal approach to discuss urban-related issues. We bring together over 89 MEPs representing most EU Member States, all the political groups at the European Parliament, and working in all the parliamentary committees. We work with 118 partners from local, regional, national and European level that represent the interests of Europe's town and cities or work in the domain relevant for urban development.
The main objectives are to:
- monitor the legislative and non-legislative work of EP's committees on urban-related issues,
- work on common EU strategies – to put urban needs on the agenda of EU policies,
- be actively involved in the preparation of EU legislation,
- constantly stay in contact with partners and practitioners and
- inform about the realisation of EU policies on the ground.
The work focuses on a number of subjects linked to the sustainable development of urban areas such as:
- environment and energy efficiency,
- urban transport,
- housing,
- social aspects (social exclusion, migration, ageing of the population),
- services of general interest,
- local public finances, etc.
Over 70% of Europe's population lives in urban areas. Towns and cities are increasingly seen as the engines driving national and regional economies; however, at the same time, many problems of social or environmental nature lay in urban areas.
According to the subsidiarity principle, urban policy is not an EU competence. Nevertheless, about three-quarters of the EU legislation is implemented at local and regional levels and has a direct impact on Europe's towns and cities.
Why UIPI is part of the URBAN Intergroup
The URBAN Intergroup was set up and is working successfully since 2005 to ensure that urban-related problems are reflected in the European Parliament's decisions. The Urban Intergroup is, among other things, dealing with housing and building-related issues as well as other urban topics with are of interest for UIPI. Therefore UIPI is a partner of the Urban Intergroup.
BUILD UP (The European Portal For Energy Efficiency in Buildings)
About BUILD UP
BUILD UP is the European portal for energy efficiency in buildings and an initiative of the European Commission. BUILD-UP aims to promote better and smarter buildings across Europe by connecting building professionals, local authorities and citizens. Its interactive web portal will catalyse and release Europe's collective intelligence for effective implementation of energy-saving measures in buildings. The media can support this key action by raising public awareness and bringing actions at the local, regional and national level to the widest possible audience.
Why UIPI is a partner of BUILD UP
UIPI has a strong interest in the thematic topics discussed and promoted on BUILD UP. We believe that part of our task is to contribute to improving the energy efficiency and quality of the European building stock.
EHF (European Housing Forum)
About the EHF
The European Housing Forum (EHF) is an informal platform gathering representative organisations of the entire housing sector – consumers, providers and professionals – in order to share their expertise and raise the issues that this sector faces towards the EU institutions.
The European Housing Forum currently has 15 members, all of which are major international or European organisations working in the area of housing. It was created in 1997, following the adoption of a resolution on the social aspect of housing by the European Parliament.
Why UIPI is a member
UIPI joined the European Housing Forum in 2011 shortly after UIPI decided to strengthen its activities at EU level. Housing is the core topic of UIPI activities. Exchanging with relevant EU stakeholders on the issue, sharing intelligence or points of views is a real added-value for UIPI.
Since June 2014, Emmanuelle Causse, Director of European Affairs, is on behalf of UIPI the co-chair of the European Housing Forum together with the European Construction Industry Federation – FIEC and the European Union of Developers and House Builders – UEPC.
Liaison Group (European Economic and Social Committee)
The Liaison Group was set up in 2004 to provide a framework for political dialogue and cooperation between the EESC and the European organisations and networks with whom the Group liaises on cross-cutting issues of common interest.
The Group provides civil society umbrella organisations with a unique institutional structure, enabling civil dialogue and promoting participatory democracy. It is a channel through which civil society can discuss and influence the EU agenda and decision-making processes (as envisaged by Article 11 TEU).