From 18 to 20 June 2026, the European Council of Civil Engineers (ECCE) successfully held its 82nd General Meeting in Braga, Portugal, bringing together delegates from member organisations across Europe to discuss the future of the civil engineering profession and address some of the continent's most pressing societal and engineering challenges.

Hosted by the Ordem dos Engenheiros and the Ordem dos Engenheiros – Região Norte (OERN), the meeting provided an excellent platform for collaboration, policy dialogue and strategic decision-making, while showcasing Portugal's longstanding commitment to engineering excellence.

Over three productive days, participants engaged in General Meeting sessions, policy discussions, technical exchanges and networking activities that reinforced ECCE's mission of representing and advancing the civil engineering profession at the European level.

82nd ECCE General Meeting Participants

Italy Joins ECCE as a Full Member

One of the highlights of the General Meeting was the unanimous admission of the Consiglio Nazionale degli Ingegneri (CNI) as a Full Member of ECCE.

The accession of Italy further strengthens ECCE's representation across Europe and reflects the organisation's continued growth and commitment to closer cooperation between national civil engineering institutions.

From left: Maria Karanasiou (ECCE Secretary General), Andreas Brandner (ECCE Immediate Past President), Guido Razzano (CNI International Relations), Luca Scappini (CNI Councillor), Jeanette Muñoz Abela (ECCE Vice President & President-Elect), and Platonas Stylianou (ECCE President)

Affordable Housing at the Heart of the European Agenda

A central feature of this year's meeting was the international Round Table "Affordable Housing: Challenges and Solutions", organised jointly with leading experts from engineering, academia and industry.

The discussion explored innovative construction methods, industrialisation, digitalisation, sustainability and policy measures needed to increase housing affordability while maintaining high standards of safety, quality and resilience.

The outcomes of the discussion reinforced the essential contribution of civil engineers to addressing one of Europe's most pressing societal challenges.

Introduction of the Round Table by the moderator Professor Humberto Varum

Signing of the Braga Declaration

The General Meeting also marked the signing of the Braga Declaration, a joint initiative of ECCE and the Ordem dos Engenheiros.

The Declaration sets out a shared European vision for the future of civil engineering by promoting:

• Sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure
• Modernisation of the construction sector
• Safe and affordable housing
• Ethical and human-centred Artificial Intelligence
• Engineering education, skills and future leadership

The Declaration is now open for endorsement by engineering organisations and stakeholders across Europe.

Signing of the Braga Declaration by the ECCE President Platonas Stylianou and the OEP President Fernando de Almeida Santos

Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Civil Engineering

Delegates also approved the ECCE Position Paper on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation in Civil Engineering (AIDE).

The Position Paper establishes ECCE's strategic vision for the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence across the profession, recognising both the opportunities offered by emerging technologies and the importance of maintaining engineering judgement, ethics, transparency and professional accountability.

It also identifies priority areas for future policy development, education and knowledge sharing to support the digital transformation of civil engineering.

Download the AIDE Position Paper (PDF)

ECCE Vice President and President-Elect Jeanette Munoz Abela presenting the AIDE Position Paper

Strengthening Professional Ethics

Another important milestone was the adoption of the new ECCE Code of Conduct.

The revised Code establishes a modern framework of professional ethics and responsibilities, reaffirming the core values of integrity, competence, independence, sustainability, accountability and service to society that underpin the civil engineering profession throughout Europe.

Its adoption represents an important step towards promoting common ethical principles across ECCE's membership.

Download the ECCE Code of Conduct (PDF)

Modernising ECCE's Governance

The General Meeting also adopted the new ECCE Articles of Association, providing a modern legal and governance framework that will support the organisation's future development.

The revised Articles strengthen institutional governance, clarify organisational structures and decision-making processes, and enhance transparency and operational effectiveness.

Download the ECCE Articles of Association (PDF)

ECCE President Platonas Stylianou and ECCE Immediate Past President Andreas Brandner signing the new ECCE Articles of Association

Governance Roadmap Workshop

Looking beyond the formal adoption of the Articles, delegates actively participated in the ECCE Governance Roadmap - Bylaws Workshop, an interactive session designed to gather members' views on the next phase of ECCE's governance reform.

Working in thematic groups, participants discussed topics including among others:

• Membership structure
• Executive Board composition
• Financial governance
• Election procedures
• Representation and participation
• General Meeting procedures
• Future organisational development

The workshop generated valuable recommendations that will inform the continued refinement of ECCE's governance framework over the coming months.

ECCE Governance Roadmap - Bylaws Workshop

Honouring Distinguished Leadership

During the General Meeting, the Ordem dos Engenheiros conferred its Honorary Award upon ECCE President Platonas Stylianou in recognition of his outstanding contribution to strengthening cooperation between European engineering organisations and advancing the civil engineering profession.

The distinction reflects the close collaboration between ECCE and the Ordem dos Engenheiros and recognises President Stylianou's leadership and commitment to promoting engineering excellence across Europe.

ECCE President Platonas Stylianou receiving the Honorary Award by the OEP President Fernando de Almeida Santos

Looking Ahead

Delegates also reviewed ECCE's ongoing activities, strategic partnerships, publications and advocacy initiatives while setting priorities for the organisation's future work.

The discussions reaffirmed ECCE's commitment to strengthening its influence within the European institutions, promoting engineering excellence and supporting civil engineers in addressing the challenges of sustainability, resilience, digital transformation and infrastructure development.

Thank You to Our Hosts

ECCE expresses its sincere appreciation to the Ordem dos Engenheiros, the Ordem dos Engenheiros – Região Norte, the Organising Committee, speakers, volunteers and all participants for their outstanding hospitality and professionalism throughout the event.

Their dedication ensured the success of a General Meeting that will be remembered as an important milestone in the continuing evolution of ECCE.

Looking Forward

Building on the momentum created in Braga, ECCE now looks ahead to the 83rd General Meeting, which will take place in Warsaw, Poland, from 8 to 10 October 2026.

As the Council continues to strengthen its policy leadership, governance and international cooperation, the outcomes of the 82nd General Meeting will serve as an important foundation for the next chapter in ECCE's development.