The New European Bauhaus (NEB) is about helping communities to be more sustainable, inclusive, accessible and affordable. It is a movement that spurs democratic action, encouraging civil society, businesses and innovators to come together and change neighbourhoods through the power of co-creation. The NEB supports an EU clean transition by blending circular and clean technologies with designs that cater to the real-life needs of citizens.
The Festival of the New European Bauhaus is a five-day event that aims to inspire citizens and practitioners with a vision of sustainable growth and lifestyles. The 2026 Festival is an opportunity to spread ideas, showcase what’s already being done, and celebrate culture and artistic expression.
The Festival 2026 includes: a Forum, where people can discuss the future of Europe through live debates on affordable, sustainable and inclusive living; a Fair, showcasing innovative concepts and prototypes that are already transforming Europe; a celebratory Fest of music, dance, art and creative workshops; and Satellite Events where local communities around Europe and beyond spread NEB values.
See here for the full Programme with details of all activities.
No. The Festival, including the Opening Ceremony and all activities, is free for anyone to attend. For details of how to register see here.
NEB includes a strong grassroots movement with hundreds of community projects across Europe. Details of satellite events outside Brussels, in Europe and beyond, can be found here for the 2026 edition of the Festival of the New European Bauhaus.
NEB prizes aim to show what a sustainable, clean and democratic transition means for local communities and citizens’ lives. This includes showcasing projects that promote NEB values in areas ranging from circularity and innovation to culture and heritage.
Over five editions since 2021, the Prize competition has attracted more than 5,000 applications and awarded EUR 1.54 million to 72 winners. This year a total of 13 winners and 14 runners will be selected by an expert jury, with winning candidates announced in September.
For the first time this year, architecture, design, and arts students aged 18 or over have been asked to design an official trophy for the NEB Prizes. Shortlisted teams are invited to present their design as part of the Festival of the New European Bauhaus in Brussels in June.
Details of projects from the 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 NEB prize editions can be explored online here.
The EU encouraged the creation of the New European Bauhaus in 2020 and a timeline of NEB development since can be found here. On 16 December 2025, plans for the future of the New European Bauhaus were adopted as “New European Bauhaus: From vision to implementation,” setting out actions to scale up the initiative and strengthen the NEB’s role as a driver of the clean transition and innovation.