The NEB Prizes trophy unveiled: Festival visitors select winning design as voting for the NEB Prizes launches

On Friday at the Festival of the New European Bauhaus, visitors decided what the first-ever NEB Trophy will look like. The winner, Luca Ambrosi from Italy, was announced during the Awards Ceremony on Friday by Commissioner Jessika Roswall. His design, named Aurora, will become the first ever official trophy for the NEB Prizes. 

The NEB Prizes recognise creativity, talent and innovative ideas for the benefit of local communities and society. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto launched the public voting for the 2026 edition at the Festival: the public can now vote for their favourite finalist project until 10 July 2026. The winners will receive the trophy designed by Luca Ambrosi at the NEB Prizes awards ceremony in October. 

Luca’s design was chosen among the many proposals submitted by students from all around Europe as part of a design competition launched by the European Commission. During the Festival, ten finalist prototypes were on display at the Art & History Museum in Brussels, with visitors voting for their favourite one. 

The winning trophy design, Aurora, is inspired by the flowing movement of the Northern Lights. Three recycled acrylic sheets rise and intertwine without overlapping, creating a light structure that symbolises hope, renewal and movement towards a better future. The colours of the acrylic sheets point to the NEB Compass: green for sustainability, blue for beauty, and yellow for inclusion and democratic participation. The acrylic sheets are anchored by a satin-finish stainless steel base, its solid presence creating a contrast with the ethereal appearance of the acrylic sheets above. 

Luca Ambrosi is a student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Carrara, Italy. He was present at the Awards Ceremony in Brussels, alongside the designers of the other finalist prototypes. The announcement of his victory was a very emotional moment: Luca joined Commissioner Roswall on stage, as the audience met him with a warm applause. He was visibly moved when he thanked the hall, before being joined by the other finalists for a celebratory picture. His design, Aurora, will now become a physical object – and part of the history of the New European Bauhaus.