Words from the EDA President: Navigating 2025: our industry's path forward
Published 2/4 at 10:14As we embark on 2025, the European demolition industry stands at a critical juncture, facing significant challenges and exciting opportunities. As EDA president, I personally believe that our success hinges on a commitment to innovation, education, and true collaboration to forge a sustainable and prosperous future for our sector.
These challenges could be overwhelming, but they only require a proactive and unified approach and a willingness to adapt and evolve. Nowadays, as the close of my time as president of the European Demolition Association is near, I can affirm that I am encouraged by our commitment in providing concrete resources and platforms that empower our members not only to survive but thrive in this evolving landscape.
This year started with the publication of guides about roles and career development in demolition and decontamination. Two guides born from collaborative working groups with the European Decontamination Institute that goes beyond simply identifying the skilled labour shortage. They outline potential career paths, defining job roles and necessary training. I truly believe these guides have the potential to be a turning point, fostering a new generation of skilled professionals dedicated to the safe and efficient evolution of our built environment.
Also, EDA is working on other publications that will have impact on the industry and that follow the European commitments and requirements for future industry. One such example is ‘Urban regeneration and the carbon footprint of demolition’, a guide that is currently being elaborated in the newest working group with the same name. This initiative is inspired by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), mandated by the UN General Assembly (https://unhabitat.org/topic/urban-regeneration).
What makes me prouder is that this and other EDA publications will be launched at the EDA Annual Convention, which will take place in my home country, Italy. There, in Venice, from 12 to 14 June, we will enjoy this vital opportunity to connect with colleagues, share experiences, and contribute to the collective effort of shaping the future of our industry. This is a place where we can learn from each other, challenge conventional wisdom, and forge the necessary partnerships to overcome the obstacles before us.
In conclusion, 2025 demands that we confront sustainability and the skilled labour shortage with boldness and determination. I firmly believe that through the EDA’s initiatives we can foster a stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable future for the European demolition industry. This is not just about profits or bottom lines, it is about our responsibility to the environment, the safety of our workers, and the long term wellbeing of our communities. It is about building a future we can all be proud of.
I look forward to seeing you in Venice.
About EDA
The EDA was founded in 1978 and is the leading platform for national demolition associations, demolition contractors and suppliers. The EDA has a strong focus on developments in Europe, which are of interest to the demolition industry.
