Partners

The Hestia Foundation succeeds through partnerships. We seek engineers, universities, grant professionals, municipalities, and communities who share the mission.

Contents

University Partners

We seek a formal academic partnership with a Portuguese university to provide independent verification, student research programmes, and credibility for grant applications.

🔥 Priority Targets

  • LNEC (Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil): Portugal's national civil engineering laboratory — ideal partner for structural testing, material certification, and producing engineer-stamped documentation for permits and grant applications.
  • University of Algarve (UAlg): Local university with civil engineering and environmental science faculties. Natural partner for Algarve-based research, student projects, and regional credibility.

Additional Target Universities

  • Universidade Técnica de Lisboa (UTL / IST): Strong engineering faculty, existing sustainable construction research
  • Universidade de Coimbra: Civil engineering department with timber construction expertise
  • Universidade do Minho: Wood science and engineering specialisation
  • Universidade do Algarve: Local presence, tourism/housing research relevance

What the University Provides

  • Independent structural testing and certification
  • Academic credibility for grant applications
  • Student research projects (MSc/PhD)
  • Peer review of publications
  • Conference presentation opportunities
  • Joint research programmes with other EU universities

What the Foundation Provides

  • Real-world construction site for research
  • 12-month monitoring dataset
  • Open publication of all results
  • Student training in alternative construction
  • Publicity and media coverage

Structural Engineer

We require an independent Portuguese structural engineer to review calculations, certify structural adequacy, and produce documentation for permit applications.

Requirements

  • Licensed in Portugal (Ordem dos Engenheiros)
  • Experience with Eurocode 5 (timber design)
  • Willingness to engage with non-conventional materials
  • Interest in affordable housing innovation

Scope of Work

  • Review and certify load calculations (dead, live, wind, snow)
  • Verify RCP panel structural adequacy under Eurocode 5
  • Review I-joist span tables and roof design
  • Produce engineer-stamped drawings for permit applications
  • Witness prototype structural testing
  • Contribute to peer-reviewed publication

Grant Professional

We seek a grant professional with demonstrated success in EU funding programmes, ideally with experience in NEB, Horizon Europe, and/or LIFE.

Requirements

  • Track record of successful EU grant applications (2+ funded projects)
  • Experience with NEB Facility, Horizon Europe, or LIFE
  • Understanding of construction/energy/housing sector
  • Portuguese or EU-wide practice

Scope of Work

  • Map all relevant open and upcoming calls
  • Draft applications and manage submission timelines
  • Coordinate partner letters of support
  • Track application status and manage clarifications
  • Advise on consortium building for multi-partner applications

Municipality & Policy Partners

We seek partnership with Lagos municipality and national housing institutions to provide site access, planning support, and policy alignment.

🔥 Priority Targets

  • Municipality of Lagos: Municipal site access for prototype build, planning permission support, joint UIA application, workshop hosting, and public open days. Lagos qualifies for NEB Boost (under 20,000 residents).
  • IHRU (Instituto da Habitação e da Reabilitação Urbana): National housing and urban rehabilitation institute — policy alignment, programme access, and connection to national affordable housing strategy.

Partnership Objectives

  • Provide site access for prototype build
  • Navigate planning permission process
  • Demonstrate municipal innovation in affordable housing
  • Joint-apply for Urban Innovative Actions funding
  • Host workshop events and open days

Community Partners

We seek:

  • Community land trusts: Land access for long-term prototype monitoring
  • Self-build organisations: Network of potential builders
  • Housing cooperatives: Multi-house developments using RCP
  • Permaculture communities: Integrated land-use demonstrations

Industry Partners

We seek partnerships with:

  • Pallet suppliers: EPAL-certified pallet sourcing at scale
  • Builders merchants: Leroy Merlin, Aki — cutting services, material packages
  • I-joist manufacturers: STEICO or equivalent — technical support, span tables
  • Solar suppliers: PV panel + battery + hot water package
  • Insulation manufacturers: Rockwool, hempcrete suppliers
  • Tool manufacturers: DeWalt, Bosch — workshop tool packages

Join Us

If you are interested in partnering with the Hestia Foundation, please contact us with:

  • Your organisation and role
  • How you see the partnership working
  • What you bring and what you need
  • Your timeline and availability