1. What is the New European Bauhaus Festival?
The New European Bauhaus Festival is a biannual event that celebrates and takes stock of the progress of the New European Bauhaus. The 3rd edition will take place in Brussels, featuring exhibits, projects, actions, activities from the next community and beyond, as well as discussions in various formats through the forum.
2. What are the key themes for the 3rd edition of the Festival?
The 3rd edition focuses on reimagining the built environment, placing life, spaces, and then buildings as priorities. The festival will explore three main directions: the transformative power of democratic engagement, the role of empowered citizens and local authorities, and affordable housing as a cornerstone of democratic participation.
3. What types of initiatives are eligible for the fair call?
Eligible initiatives are those that promote the values of the New European Bauhaus and the development of beautiful and sustainable spaces.
These initiatives should reflect the values of aesthetics, togetherness, and sustainability, and at least one of the principles: multi-level engagement, transdisciplinary approach, and participatory process.
4. What is the deadline for applications?
The deadline for applications is 15 October 2025.
5. How will the applications be evaluated?
Applications will be evaluated in two stages: content evaluation and technical and budget evaluation.
The content evaluation assesses how well the proposal connects to New European Bauhaus values, principles, thematic axes, and the inclusion of members from the New European Bauhaus community.
The technical and budget evaluation assesses the feasibility and budget impact of the proposal.
6. What criteria are used in the content evaluation?
The content evaluation includes several criteria:
i. Alignment with NEB values, principles, and thematic axes (30 points).
ii. Quality of the proposal and proposed engagement activities (20 points).
iii. Communication plan before, during, and after the festival (10 points).
7. What is assessed in the technical and budget evaluation?
Technical feasibility: Whether the proposed activities can be realized within the festival venue.
Budget impact: Whether the proposed activities match the available budget
8. What tips are provided for aligning with NEB values and principles?
It is recommended to use the NEB compass tool, which explains each value and principle and helps align your project with them. Not all values and principles need to be equally addressed; projects can have different ambitions based on their capabilities.
9. Should I aim for the highest ambition in all criteria?
No, it is advised not to artificially inflate your application to gain additional points. Focus on the innovative and creative aspects of your proposal while being mindful of the available space and resources
10. What are the booth sizes available for exhibitors?
The booth sizes available are 5 m² and 10 m². Exhibitors can choose their preferred size in the application.
11. Can exhibitors organize workshops or co-creative sessions?
Yes, exhibitors can organize workshops, labs, and participatory activities. There will be additional spaces available for these activities, separate from the exhibition booths.
12. Is there a budget range recommended for exhibitors?
The Festival does not provide a specific budget range for exhibitors. The Festival covers travel and accommodation costs for two people per exhibitor, but exhibitors are responsible for their own technical and operational costs.
13. Can exhibitors bring their own customized installations?
Exhibitors can propose bringing their own customized installations. These requests should be detailed in the additional information section of the application and will be discussed further if the application is selected.
14. Is there a requirement for exhibitors to be present during the Fair?
Yes, selected exhibitors are required to be present at the Fair during the opening hours throughout the entire Festival. The Fair is usually open from 10:00 to 17:00.
15. Can exhibitors invite and organize events in their booths?
Yes, exhibitors are allowed to organise events and activities in their booths. If planning a larger event, it should be described in the application under engagement activities.
16. Is the entry to the Festival free of charge?
Yes, the entry to the Festival is free of charge for all visitors throughout the Festival.
17. Can materials be delivered in advance to the event location?
Delivering materials in advance is not possible due to the tight schedule before the Festival begins. However, the event and production team will work to find solutions for such requests.
1. What is the focus of the NEB Festival for 2026?
The focus of the NEB Festival for 2026 is on the evolution of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), with a particular emphasis on neighbourhoods and the built environment.
It will address the transformative power of democratic engagement in shaping more inclusive and sustainable communities. It will highlight how empowered citizens and local authorities can play an active role in creating their environments, with a particular emphasis on affordable housing as a cornerstone of democratic participation.
In line with the NEB’s core vision, the Festival will be a space to reimagine our built environment, placing first life, then spaces, and then buildings.
2. What are the pillars of the NEB Festival?
The NEB Festival has four pillars: the Fest, Fair, satellite events, and the Forum (a conference discussion part). There are no calls for expression of interest for the Forum part.
3. What should proposals for the Fest reflect?
Proposals must promote the values of the New European Bauhaus and the development of beautiful, sustainable spaces that foster ways of living together. This includes reflecting the NEB values of aesthetics, sustainability, and inclusion (togetherness), as well as at least one NEB principle.
4. Are proposals limited to specific topics?
While the overall topics should be reflected, proposals are not automatically discarded if they cover other topics. The key is that all applications must promote NEB values and at least one principle to be considered.
5. What types of initiatives are eligible?
The selection is very wide and includes contemporary languages of artistic experimentation, music, live performances, audio-visual shows, public projections, participatory theatre, documentary theatre, dance, and other performances.
This list is not exhaustive and is meant to be inclusive of various artistic expressions.
6. What are the evaluation criteria for the application?
The evaluation process involves two main parts: content evaluation and technical and budget evaluation.
Content evaluation is done by external experts and includes criteria such as connection to NEB values, quality of the proposal, and engagement activities.
The technical and budget evaluation is handled by production and events professionals and includes criteria like the capacity to deliver the proposal, impact on the festival budget, and fit with the venue and programme.
7. How can applicants provide different budget options in their submissions?
Applicants can provide different budget options, such as versions with varying numbers of participants, to help with decision-making.
8. What does "participatory" mean in the context of the festival?
Participation can involve both audience engagement during performances (e.g. Q&A sessions) and the process of creating the project (e.g. involving diverse teams and community members in the development phase). Both aspects are considered participatory.
9. How many applications will be selected for the festival?
The number of selected applications depends on the quality and complexity of the proposals received. It is not a fixed number and can vary based on the budget and technical requirements of the selected projects.
Historically, around 20 to 30 performances have been selected.
10. What is the flat fee for selected applicants?
The flat fee for selected Fest applicants is €950.
11. Can applicants apply to both the Fest and the Fair?
Yes, there are no limitations on applying to both the Fest and the Fair. However, the explanation for participating in both should be strong and well-argued.
12. Can participatory processes extend beyond the festival days?
Yes, participatory processes can take place before, during, and after the festival. The main activity should occur during the festival, but related processes can extend beyond it.
13. What is the deadline for submitting applications?
The deadline for submitting applications is 15 October 2025.
The evaluation period starts immediately after the submission deadline and lasts into November. Applicants will be notified of the results by mid-December.
14. What should applicants do if they have specific requests or additional information?
Applicants can include specific requests or additional information in the "additional information" section of the application form, which is on page three of the application and has no character limit.
15. What venue is planned for the festival?
The planned venue for the festival is the Museum of Art and History in the Parc Cinquantenaire, Brussels. However, if this venue is not secured, alternative venues in Brussels will be considered.
16. Can non-EU applicants apply to the festival?
Yes, applications are welcome from EU and non-EU countries alike. There are no limitations based on nationality.
17. Will there be sample budgets or examples of previous applications provided?
No, sample budgets or examples of previous applications will not be provided. Applicants are advised to keep their budget presentations simple and clear, detailing equipment, production costs, and other expenses.