Community Update

On 7 December 2023, The Commission welcomed the provisional agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council to reduce the emissions and energy use of buildings across the EU. The strengthened Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will support the EU's efforts to decarbonise buildings across the whole Union. This is an area in which the concrete impact of the European Green Deal will improve the quality of life for people, in their homes and workplaces, and lower their energy bills. This deal will also boost Europe's energy independence in line with the REPowerEU Plan and make a strong business case for a cleaner buildings sector in the EU. Read more in the press release.

Are you curious what other cities and regions in Europe have to say about high-quality architecture and the built environment? Here’s your chance to participate in a peer learning visit in 2024. Calling all policymakers, urban planners, NGOs, local/regional organizations and beyond. These visits offer a unique opportunity to hear success stories and network with experts from different backgrounds. This series of visits stems from a larger collaborative initiative called Living Spaces - Cities and regions shaping the built environment for everyone. Learn more about the visits here.

Registration: apply here

Today, the European Commission is calling on European cities committed to sustainability to apply for the 2026 edition of the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards. These awards go to cities, large or small, that demonstrate ambitious objectives and real progress towards becoming more sustainable and improving quality of life. Each winner is allocated a monetary prize meant to support the implementation of these projects. If interested, the city must first register here.

Deadline for applying: 30 April 2024

The European Environment Agency published its first progress report today identifying what still needs to be done to reach the EU’s climate and environmental targets, as decided in the 8th Environment Action Programme. The report highlights the need to finalize proposals for the Green Deal and push for greater systematic transformations across the food, construction and mobility industries. While there is progress to celebrate, it is clear that the economy is not yet on track according to the planetary boundaries. For more details, check out a comprehensive summary or find the full report here.

This year’s European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is called: Net-zero energy solutions for a competitive Europe. The conference will focus on the importance of implementing climate neutral solutions and technologies to rapidly achieve the EU’s energy transition. A second major focus of this edition will be on cities – demonstrating the role they can play in driving positive change. One opportunity to get involved is through the call for policy sessions, which is open until 19 January 2024. Proposals should relate to one of the thematic areas listed on this page, where you can also find other ways to participate in the conference. Get updates by following #EUSEW2024 on social media, as well as by registering to the EUSEW newsletter.

EUSEW will take place from 11 to 13 June 2024 – mark your calendars!

The JRC's research is paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient economic strategies by untangling the interdependencies of climate change, biodiversity loss and financial risk. Although the financial sector has not always been invested in concerns such as climate, it is becoming increasingly clear that the health of our economy is reliant on the health of our planet. To better understand the relationship between these factors, read the full article here.

Apart from the numerous successes of our community members, the end of last year also marked the launch of an entirely NEB-Community led NEB Lab project: European Triennial of Modernism (ETOM). The ETOM-NEB-Lab, which was introduced to the NEB Community in November, is a collaborative laboratory that is focused on trans-European Modernism. The goal of the lab is to create and develop transnational cooperation, establish best practices and capacity-building initiatives, and establish a decentralized and recurring EUROPEAN TRIENNIAL OF MODERNISM festival. To learn more about the project, you can watch the recording of the project pitch or check the project’s presentation on the NEB website. For any inquires about the project, please contact Rober K. Huber or Eszter Davida.

Nature in the city is no longer solely defined by a freshly mowed lawn, a flowerbed, or a plane tree on the street. Not anymore, at least. Emerging agendas, where climate and biodiversity take centre stage, are shifting our perception of nature, and this shift is already visible in the urban landscape. But if nature is to occupy more space and play a more significant role in the city, what can we do?If you are in Copenhagen on the 16th of January, come join the Danish Architecture Center and Desire an Irresistible Circular Society and engage in this inspiring dialogue (in Danish). Follow this link to book your spot in the event!

The New European Bauhaus Festival is back on 9-14 April 2024 and it will take place in Brussels at the Museum of Art & History, Parc du Cinquatenaire. It will bring together people from across the globe to share their vision and actions for a future that is sustainable, beautiful, and inclusive. The Festival is free and open for everyone to attend. Registrations will open on 18 February.

More information here. Stay tuned!

Date & Time: 26 January 2024 from 10:30 to 12:30 (CET)
Platform: Webex
Registration: Register here

Join us for an informative online session to learn about the latest updates on the New European Bauhaus initiative. We will talk about: 

✅ Future programming framework for NEB 
✅ NEB Festival updates and programme 
✅ Pilot project on innovative financing for NEB supported by the European Parliament 
✅ Updates and invitations from NEB communications team

To attend, please register on the provided link. Connection details will be sent to registered participants a few days before the session. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation shaping the New European Bauhaus!

Date & Time: 18 January 2024 from 09:00 to 10:00 (CET)
Registration: Register here

Join the online presentation of the "Lviv Hospital Project" by Shigeru Ban, a member of the NEB High-level Round Table. The presentation aims to garner support for expanding the hospital's functions to accommodate the surge in patients from the war zone since February 2022. Learn more about Mr Ban's Ukraine support actions here and on the NEB Actions for Ukraine page.

Please register by 16 January, 17:00 CET, using this link. Connection details will be sent to the registered participants a day before the session.