EFB Annual General Meeting 2026: Strengthening Europe’s Green Building Network
On 8 June 2026, the European Federation of Green Roof and Living Wall Associations (EFB) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Berlin, Germany, bringing together representatives of national associations from across Europe. Organised alongside the World Congress on Greening Buildings 2026 and just before World Green Roof Day, the meeting provided an important opportunity to review the achievements of the past year, welcome new members, define strategic priorities, and strengthen cooperation across the European green building sector.
A Growing European Network
The AGM highlighted the continued growth of the EFB network, which today brings together 19 member associations and more than 1,650 companies and organisations working in green roofs, green walls and green infrastructure.
One of the highlights of this year’s meeting was the approval of two new members, further expanding EFB’s European reach.
🇱🇻 Latvia joins EFB as a Full Member
The Latvian Association of Landscape Architecture (LAAA) was unanimously accepted as a Full Member of EFB.
Represented by Valdis Turkovs and Andris Dreska, the association presented the rapid development of the green roof market in Latvia and its long-term ambition to strengthen green infrastructure nationwide. During the discussion, participants exchanged experiences on education, technical standards, cooperation with municipalities, and future collaboration within the Baltic region. Following the presentation, the membership was unanimously approved by all delegates.
🇲🇪 Montenegro joins as an Extraordinary Member
The AGM also welcomed Green Factory Montenegro as an Extraordinary EFB Member.
Represented by Kosta Radonjić and Danica Mihaljević, the organisation outlined its vision to establish the first national green roof association in Montenegro within the coming year. EFB members shared their experience in building national associations, governance structures, Codes of Practice, and stakeholder engagement, demonstrating the strength of the federation as a platform for knowledge exchange and mentoring. The application was unanimously approved.
EFB Leadership Continues
The new members join the Executive Board and Board Members elected last year, who will continue leading the federation during the coming year.
President
🇵🇹 Paulo Palha (ANCV – Associação Nacional de Coberturas Verdes)
Vice Presidents
🇦🇹 Vera Enzi-Zechner (VfB / GRÜNSTATTGRAU)
🇨🇿 Pavel Dostal (AZSF)
🇫🇷 Sophie Rousset-Rouvière (ADIVET)
🇩🇪 Rebecca Landwehr (BuGG)
🇮🇹 Maurizio Crasso (AIVEP)
🇬🇧 Chris Bridgman (GRO)
EFB Ambassador
🇬🇧 Dusty Gedge (GRO)
Board Members
🇧🇪 Simon Perneel (BDFG)
ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º Péter Csabina (ZEOSZ)
🇳🇱 Michiel van de Bunt (VBB)
🇵🇱 Balbina Gryczyńska (PSDZ)
🇷🇴 Zoltán-Zsolt Kolcsár (Converde)
🇸🇪🇩🇰🇳🇴🇫🇮 Tobias Emilsson (SGIA)
🇨🇠Erich Steiner (SFG)
🇪🇸 Fernando Hidalgo Romero (ASESCUVE)
ðŸ‡ðŸ‡· Tanja Herr (GROF)
🇱🇻 Latvian Representative (LAAA)
Extraordinary Member Representative
🇺🇦 Oleksandra Strashok (UAGI)
During the meeting, each Board Member introduced ongoing activities within their country, providing valuable insight into the latest developments in national green infrastructure markets and strengthening cooperation across the network.
Looking Back: A Year of Growth
The General Secretary, President and Executive Board presented a comprehensive overview of EFB’s activities over the past year.
Highlights included:
- continued expansion of the EFB network;
- ongoing European projects, including GoNaturePositive!, LIFE impaQt and StatiPLANT;
- development of new publications and policy guidance;
- successful cooperation with European organisations including the SoGreen Alliance, WGIN and ECTP;
- continued growth of EFB’s webinar programme, which has now delivered 23 webinars since its launch;
- increasing involvement in European research and innovation projects supporting nature-positive urban development.
Developing the EFB Roadmap
A major part of the afternoon focused on the EFB Roadmap for the Green Building Industry in Europe and the accompanying EFB Action Plan, developed through the Horizon Europe GoNaturePositive! project.
Building on a collaborative roadmapping process involving more than 50 experts from across Europe, participants reviewed the draft roadmap, discussed feedback received during public consultation, and refined the strategic priorities that will guide EFB’s work over the coming years.
The discussion focused on six strategic initiatives that address the main challenges facing the sector:
- European approaches and standards for green roofs and walls;
- innovative financing mechanisms;
- performance metrics for green infrastructure and nature-based solutions;
- low-carbon and circular materials;
- fair access to green infrastructure in cities;
- education, skills and professional training.
Board members contributed valuable expertise from their national markets, helping to further strengthen the roadmap and define future priorities for EFB.
Building a Stronger Federation
The AGM also included workshops on member needs, communication, cooperation with companies, and future funding opportunities.
Ideas for celebrating EFB’s 30th anniversary in 2027 were also presented, including coordinated activities across Europe to showcase three decades of cooperation and promote the important role of green infrastructure in creating healthier, more resilient and climate-adapted cities.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Annual General Meeting demonstrated once again the strength of the European Federation of Green Roof and Living Wall Associations as a collaborative network connecting experts, businesses, researchers and national associations across Europe.
With two new members joining the federation, ambitious European projects underway, and a clear strategic roadmap for the future, EFB enters the coming year with renewed energy and a shared commitment to advancing nature-based solutions and greener, more resilient buildings and cities across Europe.
The EFB would like to thank all members, delegates, guests and partners for their active participation and valuable contributions. Together, we continue to strengthen Europe’s green building community.
