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Priority 4

To achieve a safer, resilient, and more sustainable construction through well-directed funds and financing, we need to:

Ensure SMEs have access to conventional and sustainable finance, both public and private, supporting their green and digital transition.
Accompany SMEs and property owners with financial incentives and subsidies fostering and facilitating energy efficient renovations, both through small gestures and larger scale projects.
Set up long-term support and funding of pragmatic local initiatives for the decarbonisation of buildings and infrastructure, like One-Stop-Shops for energy efficient renovation or circularity hubs.

Consider taxation, including VAT, as a tool to relieve SMEs and promote building renovation at the national and local level.
Foster dialogue between SME representatives and financial institutions paving the way to an SME-friendly EU Taxonomy and lighter reporting exercises.
Guarantee optimum protection for workers through realistic occupational rules, adequate funding for health and safety and training adapted to SME worksites.
Ensure flexible and rapid financial resources directed to those who need them in the event of crises, considering inflationist and speculative market trends as well as cost- effectiveness.
Involve SMEs and crafts in the design of regulatory frameworks for buildings resistant to seismic activity and natural disasters, and in the implementation of financial incentives.
Invest in infrastructure guaranteeing water availability and measures to mitigate water scarcity in local areas, protecting them from hydro-geological instability, soil deterioration and intensification of extreme weather-related events.