In order to promote the culture of building with earth, Dachverband Lehm e.V. has set itself clear goals. We support all measures which make earth as a building material attractive and applicable again under today's technical and economic conditions.

We develop guidelines for the use of earth as a building material, publish information material and promote the development of new products, processes, techniques and structures for building with earth. In addition, Dachverband Lehm endeavours to preserve the ecological quality of this building material. We promote training and further education measures for building with earth, as well as cooperation with international organisations, institutions, firms, associations and networks in the field of earthen architecture.

More acceptance for earth building – that is one of our main concerns. We want not only to inform those interested in building with earth, but also to attract the attention of public authorities, credit institutions and funding organisations, insurance companies and politicians to the advantages of building with earth.

Contact to and cooperation with national and international organisations, networks and associations is also a vital measure in promoting acceptability. Our work in Germany has proved that a strong national association meets with better acceptance with organisations, public authorities and sponsors. We continue to extend and consolidate our many individual contacts at international level and to structure them in a global information network.

The Dachverband Lehm e.V. promotes and supports the development of new products, techniques and designs. There are a number of concrete research areas which can lead to new or improved products and their application. Both the innovative potential of construction and manufacturing companies and appropriate scientific facilities at research institutions are of crucial importance in this respect. For instance, a more precise definition of earth's specific characteristics must be developed, and a consensual classification of earthen building materials in the relevant building norms is necessary.

An important aspect of our activities also lies in the field of vocational training and continuing professional development. Not only have we initiated a nationally recognised training course leading to qualification as a “Specialist for Building with Earth”, we are also planning a primary vocational training course. The medium-term objective is to establish the field of building with earth as a separate trade area recognised by the Chamber of Crafts and therefore to increase its acceptance within the profession.

We also undertake and are planning a variety of measures within the academic sector. Students of architecture and building construction can only use earth as a building material properly and successfully in the near future if we inform them comprehensively today as part of their education.

To give building with earth a sound footing and a good future we need a competent, comprehensive and independent information and advisory service for consumers. Efficient knowledge management is of vital importance.

The Dachverband Lehm e.V. collects, compiles and provides information material relevant to building with earthen materials. We also initiate and publish professional publications in the field and promote the provision and transfer of knowledge and information sources internationally. The internet offers outstanding opportunites in this respect.

The professional activities organised by the Dachverband Lehm e.V. also represent an important opportunity for exchanging knowledge and experience. Technical and specific questions can be explored in conferences, our annual general assembly or other discussion meetings and our Earth Building trade fairs offer the possibility to learn more about new products, techniques and development in building with earth.

And for those who cannot wait until the next meeting, the internet offers once again a further platform for information, discussion and establishing contacts via our homepage and forum. Make contact in the Forum!