Engineering Europe n° 03 - 2025

EFCA talks about Global Gateway in?Construction Europe

For over a century, European engineering companies have left their mark on iconic global projects, from the Suez Canal to the Itaipu Dam. Today, they remain involved in numerous?international projects, but evolving?policies on sustainability, human rights and fair competition have made working outside the EU more complicated. It is against this backdrop that the EU's Global Gateway aims to mobilise €300BN for sustainable projects worldwide by 2027, with a particular focus on Africa. However,?unfair competition from non-EU firms and lax enforcement of procurement rules in third countries?threaten these ambitions. EFCA, alongside industry partners, is working with EU institutions to propose solutions, including better project preparation, integrated financing, and revised procurement rules. Inés Ferguson, EFCA President, notes?“An integrated European value proposition can be more competitive but we need to adapt our approach.”? Our article "Shaping the Future of European Engineering" can be found below.

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Right signs from Parliament on Water Resilience

The European Parliament is calling for many of the same measures as EFCA, as it publishes a draft report on the Water Resilience Initiative. Referring in its opening rationale?to the fact that "water stress" already affects 20% of the territory and 30% of the population in Europe, it goes on to cite industry?as a significant user. The report resonates with EFCA's position paper published last year?in its emphasis on?nature-based solutions as critical to solving the water emergency. Amongst specific actions called for are: full implementation of the Green Deal, reduction in water demand as well as an increase in water reuse, digitally enabled water technologies and better data and data analysis. This document lays out a framework for the European Water Resilience Initiative, which was announced in Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's political guidelines for the current term, which started last year. EFCA welcomes the report and is already active on this issue.

See EFCA's position paper on Blue Deal.

Will the Competitiveness Compass Benefit Engineers?

The European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass outlines a bold strategy for the next five years, with significant implications for the engineering sector. Massive investments in energy grids, transport networks, digital infrastructure, and clean tech manufacturing will create new opportunities for engineers across disciplines. Projects like the High-Speed Rail Plan, Electrification Action Plan, and Digital Networks Act promise to drive demand for civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering expertise. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on streamlined permitting, regulatory simplifications, and access to skilled labour — all challenges that have previously slowed EU infrastructure projects. Assuming the right conditions are in place, the Competitiveness Compass could usher in a golden era for engineering in Europe, but while the strategy lays the foundation for growth, its real impact will be determined by efficient execution and industry collaboration.

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