Working Group Defence launched by the European Committee of the Regions

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The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has launched its Working Group on Defence (WG Defence) to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness, civil protection, crisis response, and competitive defence industry. The group met for the first time on September 22nd.

The group, chaired by Fernando López Miras, aims to connect local and regional authorities with EU institutions, foster best practices, and support a coordinated European Defence Union. The WG Defence adopted a roadmap for the 2025-2027 period, focusing on investments in defence capabilities, robust EU-level support for defence, security, and space, civil protection mechanisms, and transport upgrades. The group also discussed three strategic opinions under preparation within the CoR: European Defence Readiness 2030, Local and regional perspectives in the implementation of ProtectEU, and the European Preparedness Union Strategy.

Source: 

European Committee of the Regions 

Cross-border breakthrough at the Brenner Base Tunnel

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A significant milestone in the construction of the 58 km long underground railway Brenner Base Tunnel has been achieved. This exploratory tunnel, which runs between and below the two main railway tunnels, provides information on rock mass, reducing costs and time for the construction of the main tunnels.

The third exploratory tunnel will be essential for  the assessment of drainage, technical equipment installation, and maintenance works. The EU has financed the project from the early phases of feasibility and environmental studies under the TEN-T programme to further studies and construction works under the CEF Transport programme, with a total EU contribution planned until the end of 2025 amounting to €2.3 billion.

Three active construction sites are currently in operation, with key achievements including the completion of the Isarco river underpass, Hochstegen, Tulfes-Pfons, Sill Gorge, Mules 2-3, Sill Gorge-Pfons, and Pfons-Brenner. The new Brenner Base Tunnel, co-funded with €2.3 billion from the CEF Transport programme, aims to ease congestion on the Munich-Verona route, which is part of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor. The tunnel will consist of two single-track tunnels, each 8.1 m wide and spaced 40 to 70 m apart, with traffic through these tunnels being one-way and connected with bypasses every 333 m for safety.

Source: 

European Commission 

Germany faces a shortage of 10.000 construction planners according to a recent study

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According to a recent study, Germany is facing a significant shortage of skilled workers for construction projects under the Special Fund for Infrastructure and Climate Neutrality (SVIK).

The German Economic Institute (IW) reports a shortage of 10,000 experts for construction project planning alone. The demand for qualified workers is significantly outpacing the supply in infrastructure professions, with a skilled worker shortage expected to reach around 69,000 between July 2024 and June 2025. The shortage particularly affects civil engineering, as the field currently employs over 4,000 skilled workers. To address this shortage, the IW recommends recruiting personnel from non-EU countries. However, rising construction costs could devalue the special fund, causing billions of euros to be wasted.

Sources(in German):

Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft