MINISTERSTVO PRUMYSLU A OBCHODU

Their core work

The Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade is the national government body responsible for energy policy, building regulations, and industrial development in the Czech Republic. Within H2020, it participates in EU-wide Concerted Actions — structured coordination mechanisms where all EU member states collaborate to implement key energy directives (EPBD, Renewable Energy Directive, Energy Efficiency Directive). Their role is to represent Czech national policy, share implementation experience, and align domestic regulation with EU energy performance requirements. They bring regulatory authority and national-level implementation data that no research institute or private company can provide.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 involvement (2015-2017) centered on the original Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and renewable energy transposition — essentially getting EU energy rules into Czech law. From 2018 onward, the focus shifted markedly toward energy efficiency implementation, building decarbonisation, renovation strategies, NZEB standards, and practical tools like energy performance certificates and smart building inspection. This mirrors the broader EU policy shift from directive transposition toward deep renovation and climate neutrality targets.

Moving toward practical decarbonisation implementation — audits, public procurement, financing mechanisms, and renovation strategies — making them increasingly relevant for partners working on the built environment's green transition.

How they like to work

Exclusively a participant, never a coordinator — consistent with their role as a national ministry contributing policy expertise to EU-wide coordination mechanisms. They work in very large consortia (62 unique partners across 29 countries), which is typical for Concerted Actions that include representatives from every EU member state. Working with them means engaging through formal EU coordination structures rather than bilateral research partnerships.

Connected to 62 unique partners across 29 countries, reflecting the pan-European nature of Concerted Actions where every EU member state participates. Their network is broad but structurally determined by the directive coordination format rather than by selective partnership choices.

What sets them apart

As the Czech national ministry responsible for energy and industry policy, they bring something no university or company can: regulatory authority and direct knowledge of national implementation barriers. For anyone developing energy efficiency solutions, building technologies, or renovation services targeting the Czech market, this ministry is the entity that sets the rules and knows the gaps. They are a gateway to understanding how EU energy directives translate into real market conditions in the Czech Republic.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CA-RES3
  Largest funding (EUR 98,781) and focused on renewable energy directive transposition — their only project outside the buildings/efficiency domain.
• CA EED3
  Most recent project (2022-2026), showing continued engagement and an expanded scope into decarbonisation, public procurement, and financing mechanisms.
• CAV_EPBD
  Covers the EPBD Recast with forward-looking topics: NZEB buildings, smart buildings, renovation strategies, and energy performance certificates.