New European Bauhaus

Dear reader,

Our first newsletter of the year comes ahead of schedule as we are pleased to start 2025 with a special announcement: the European Commission has officially launched the application process for two distinct awards celebrating innovation and creativity inspired by the New European Bauhaus:  the fifth edition of the NEB Prizes is matched up with the NEB Boost for Small Municipalities - a new award with the support of the European Parliament.

While both the NEB Prizes and the NEB Boost focus on awarding beautiful, sustainable, and inclusive projects, they are two independent awards: The New European Bauhaus Prizes will honour outstanding projects and ideas from individuals, teams, and organisations. Meanwhile, the NEB Boost for Small Municipalities is designed specifically to support smaller local governments in implementing transformative projects with a strong community engagement.

Read further below to learn more about each award and find out which one best suits your project.

We are looking forward to receiving your applications!

Your New European Bauhaus team 

For the first time, the 2025 Prizes edition will have a special focus on housing: the NEB “Affordable Housing Prizes”. Four projects will be awarded for completed projects in the EU contributing to the EU’s efforts to improve housing affordability in line with the NEB values and principles.

The 2025 NEB Prizes will reward existing projects as well as concepts developed by young talents under four categories:

1. Reconnecting with nature;
2. Regaining a sense of belonging;
3. Prioritising the places and people that need it the most;
4. Shaping a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life-cycle thinking.

In each of the four categories, two parallel competition strands are established:

• Strand A: “New European Bauhaus Champions” will be devoted to existing and completed projects with clear and positive results.
• Strand B: “New European Bauhaus Rising Stars” will be dedicated to concepts submitted by young talents aged 30 years old or younger. The concepts can be at different stages of development, from ideas with a clear plan to the prototype level.

The 2025 Prizes, supported by the Cohesion Policy, will be awarded to 22 winners and runners-up in total, who will receive a monetary prize up to €30,000, as well as a communication package to help them further develop and promote their projects and concepts.

Submit your project or idea now! The deadline is 14 February 2025 at 19:00 CET. To learn more about the eligibility criteria, consult the NEB Prizes 2025 guide for applications and visit the New European Bauhaus Prizes platform.

The NEB Boost for Small Municipalities will recognise 20 projects aligned with the NEB values and principles that demonstrate a strong community engagement. This initiative not only celebrates the exceptional potential of these projects but also brings much-needed visibility and recognition to the municipalities driving them forward.

Targeting municipalities in rural areas or those with populations under 20,000 inhabitants, the NEB Boost seeks to acknowledge the critical role smaller communities play in the New European Bauhaus movement. Their involvement is fundamental to ensuring that the movement remains inclusive and accessible to all.

Eligible projects must focus on transforming the built environment, including the renovation, and adaptation of buildings and public spaces.

The 20 winners of the NEB Boost will each receive a €30,000 prize, along with a tailored communication package from the Commission to further amplify their achievements.

Apply now with your project! The deadline is 14 February 2025 at 19:00 CET. For more information about the eligibility criteria, have a look at the NEB Boost guide for applications and visit the New European Bauhaus Prizes platform

PROMO KIT: NEB Prizes 2025 and NEB Boost for Small Municipalities