NEB Lab: NEB Stewardship Lab

The co-development of the NEB Stewardship (NEB-S) model makes the endeavour more accessible and tangible for higher education institutions and students. 

Through joint workshops and engagement of stakeholders, the lab aims to examine and enhance the integration of dimensions of not only knowledge, but also agency and care within the higher education in alignment with the New European Bauhaus initiative. 

The overarching purpose is to nurture the transition from climate anxiety to NEB stewardship, especially among students. The lab's expected outcomes include the following: 

1. A co-developed working model for NEB Stewardship.
2. Practical proof-of-concept examples of NEB-S-based RDI integrated learning.
3. A toolbox for implementing NEB Stewardship.
4. A peer-learning network for higher education partners.
5. A reflection on digitalisation's opportunities in practising NEB Stewardship, in line with Twin Transition, and contribution to related EU policy. 

Higher education institutions and other research and education-oriented organisations can participate in the project. In the future, the scope of participants may expand to include cities, NGOs, and companies. Universities can take advantage of this opportunity to work together on the triple crisis (climate, biodiversity loss, and pollution), engage in the NEB initiative and shape the role of higher education. Sustainability science-oriented academia can link research concepts to practice. Other participants can consciously act on the climate and biodiversity crisis in collaboration with higher education partners and reflect on how they can apply the model to other activities. 

Activities 

March 2023: Lisbon workshop ‘Universities as powerful accelerators towards sustainability’ at the IADE 

June 2024: NEB Stewardship Lab Workshop and booth at the NEB Festival

November 2025: Workshop at the U!REKA Research Days 

Achievements 

• Cross-border participatory workshops
• Workshop at the IADE, March 2023: Universities as powerful accelerators towards sustainability
• Cumulus Conference 2023: From climate anxiety to the NEB Stewardship—How can art & design higher education support fostering knowledge, agency & care?
• U!REKA Connects 2023: NEB Stewarship Lab
• New European Bauhaus Festival 2024: NEB Stewardship for Higher Education: Setting ambitions for action!
• Creative Skills Week 2024, Official side-event: Skills for the New European Bauhaus - setting ambitions for action!
• U!REKA Research Days 2025: U!REKA and the Future of New European Bauhaus
• New European Bauhaus and stewardship concept embedded in the U!REKA European University Alliance Research Agenda 

Upcoming activities 

• Identifying potential partners to expand on the NEB Stewardship concept
• Seeking and establishing synergies with the other higher education for the NEB initiatives
• Organising workshop at the NEB Academy Piazza of the New European Bauhaus Festival in Brussels on Jun 11^th, 2026
• Identifying suitable calls and applying for project funding particularly under the NEB Facility 

Participation in the project 

The lab seeks input from universities on understanding the NEB Stewardship concept and its components. They are also interested in learning about the potential of the NEB-S model and aspects that need further development. Ideas and trials for implementing the model, as well as experiences and feedback from participating students and staff, are welcome. 

Project team coordination 

• Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, New European Bauhaus partner
• IADE - Universidade Europeia, New European Bauhaus partner
• La Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA), New European Bauhaus partner
• University of Turin, New European Bauhaus partner
• Cyprus Institute, New European Bauhaus partner
• Green Growth Generation, New European Bauhaus partner
• Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences