The New European Bauhaus (NEB) Prizes is a well-established competition that recognises inspiring projects and ideas that improve people’s quality of life by combining sustainability, inclusion and beauty.
The NEB Prizes are structured around two main strands:
- Strand A rewards Champions: mature, implemented projects that are already delivering concrete results on the ground.
- Strand B supports Rising Stars: promising ideas or early-stage initiatives, often led by young talents, with strong potential for impact.
In both strands, applicants can apply under one of the four thematic categories, revised to align with the European Commission’s plans for the future of the initiative (on 16 December 2025, the European Commission presented its plans for the future of the New European Bauhaus).
Since 2024 the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Prizes have developed an international dimension, extending beyond EU Member States to include neighbouring countries such as Western Balkans and Ukraine adding Moldova as neighbouring country this year and even beyond Europe. For the first time, the Prizes will extend beyond Europe by accepting applications from Brazil or Japan. One winner from each of these countries will be awarded an international prize, and two runners-up from each will receive monetary tokens.
The NEB Prizes 2026 will award 13 prizes of up to €20,000 to winners, along with support for communication and visibility. In addition, 14 runners-up will each receive a €5,000 monetary token. All the winners will be announced at an official award ceremony held by the European Commission.
What the International Prizes are for
The International Prizes aim to recognise excellence and creativity in implementing the New European Bauhaus in Brazil or Japan.
Who can apply?
Applications are open to Brazilian and Japanese individuals and organisations (public, private, or non-profit), provided that the project or concept is implemented in their respective country.
What the international prizes aim to recognise
Visibility to existing projects or new and emerging concepts in Brazil or Japan integrating the three NEB core values and working principles (participatory process, multi-level engagement, transdisciplinary approach).
Basic submission requirements
Applicants are invited to apply under one of the four thematic categories in one of the two established strands of the Prizes competition:
- Strand A: “New European Bauhaus Champions”, devoted to completed projects that show positive results.
- Strand B: “New European Bauhaus Rising Stars”, dedicated to concepts submitted by young talents aged 30 years old or younger, with promising concepts or early-stage initiatives—ranging from ideas to prototypes, yet to be completed but with strong potential and a clear plan
Please read the eligibility criteria for more information.
Applications must be submitted in English via the online platform by the closing date, 17 March 2026, 19:00 CET
Tools to assist the applicants
- NEB compass
- NEB checklist
- List of previous finalists and winners of the prizes, and their applications
Prize amounts and number of awards (International Prizes)
Two winners, one from Brazil and one from Japan, will be awarded €20,000 each, while two runners-up from each country will receive €5,000 as monetary tokens.
The New European Bauhaus (NEB) is an EU initiative that aims to recognise the diversity of places, traditions, and cultures in Europe and beyond. Cities and neighbourhoods around the world face the same challenges as in Europe, such as climate impacts, water scarcity, demographic changes and housing crises. The New European Bauhaus has the potential to bring integrated solutions beyond Europe, but also to learn and inspire European neighbourhoods through international practices and success stories.
Since 2024 the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Prizes have developed an international dimension, extending beyond EU Member States to include neighbouring countries such as Western Balkans and Ukraine, adding Moldova as neighbouring country this year and even beyond Europe. In a pilot approach the competition has been opened to selected countries that have manifested a clear expression of interest, are actively involved in the International Urban and Regional Cooperation and have a high degree of attention to urban and regional issues as well as to related global challenges.
For the first time, the Prizes are welcoming applications from Brazil or Japan. The 2026 edition of the NEB Prizes will reward and celebrate Brazilian and Japanese projects and ideas from young people that embody the New European Bauhaus values (sustainable, inclusive, beautiful) and its working principles: a participatory process, multi-level engagement, and a transdisciplinary approach. One winner from each country will be awarded an international prize, and two runners-up in each will receive monetary tokens.
Applicants are invited to apply under one of the four thematic categories (see section 3) within the two established strands of the Prizes competition:
- Strand A: “New European Bauhaus Champions”: open to Brazilian and Japanese individuals, public authorities, non-profit organisations, or private entities representing completed projects with demonstrable results implemented in Brazil or Japan.
- Strand B: “New European Bauhaus Rising Stars”: open to Brazilian and Japanese young talents aged 30 or younger with new concepts ranging from early-stage ideas to prototypes intended for implementation in Brazil or Japan.
The international prizes are open exclusively to applicants who are citizens or legal residents of Brazil or Japan. Eligible applications must be submitted by applicants based in, and proposing projects or ideas implemented within, Brazil or Japan respectively.
If you are a Brazilian or Japanese individual or organisation with a project located in the EU, the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence), Ukraine, or Moldova, we invite you to consult the relevant Guide to Applicants. Please refer to the Guide to Applicants for Strand A if you have a completed project, or the Guide to Applicants for Strand B if you are aged 30 or younger.
Applicants are encouraged to consult the NEB compass, which outlines the values and working principles of the initiative and illustrates diverse levels of ambition, and/or use the NEB checklist to test the coherence of your application. Examples of winning applications are available on the NEB Prizes website.
A total of 2 winners, one in Brazil and one in Japan will be awarded prizes of €20,000 each. Additionally, two runners-up in each country will receive monetary tokens of €5,000 each.
Winners will be selected from a shortlist of six highest-rated applications across all strands and categories, ensuring at least three applications per country.
Beyond the monetary prize and tokens, each winner and each finalist will benefit from a communication package provided by the European Commission (e.g., promotion in the European Commission’s social media and websites, assistance to produce a short video and support in promoting the projects).
Please note that applicants who are eligible for the international prizes will not compete in the NEB Prizes 2026 category awards, including the public vote and the Water Resilience special prize.
1 - Enhancing Circularity, Sustainability, and Innovation
This category rewards inspiring projects that combine beauty, sustainability, and social inclusion through circular and resource-efficient approaches. It rewards solutions that reduce environmental impact while improving quality of life, affordability, and resilience across sectors such as construction, textiles, furniture, and design.
Eligible projects shall apply circular principles such as reuse, repair, modularity, design for disassembly, sharing models, and the use of bio-based or recycled materials. They shall also strengthen local or regional circular value chains.
For example, in the built environment, projects can demonstrate the smarter use of space and infrastructure through renovation, repurposing, or temporary uses, helping to respond to housing and space constraints and support more inclusive living solutions.
They may further integrate energy-, water-, and material-efficient strategies, nature-based solutions, or digital and AI tools that contribute to climate action, biodiversity protection, and the sustainable management of natural resources.
More in general, the category rewards technological, social, and community-led innovations that can be replicated or scaled up, including new spatial, organisational, and business models that support SMEs, skills development, and the scaling-up of innovative solutions, and that contribute to a climate-neutral and nature-positive future.
Affordability and social inclusion should be embedded throughout. Projects may also promote innovative economic models and contribute to the long-term socio-economic development of their territory.
2 - Strengthening Local Democracy and Inclusion
This category rewards projects that combine beauty, sustainability, and social inclusion to strengthen local democracy, social cohesion, and community trust by placing citizens at the centre of decision-making and implementation processes.
Projects shall demonstrate genuine participatory and co-design approaches, bringing together citizens, professionals, and public authorities in transdisciplinary ways. Projects may promote the use of innovative tools, including digital platforms and immersive environments, to support participation, experimentation, and collective decision-making. Co-ownership, cooperative, and community-led models that promote affordability and inclusion are particularly welcome.
This category rewards initiatives that create inclusive, accessible, and high-quality public spaces and neighbourhoods, fostering a sense of belonging and social and intergenerational fairness. Projects may address the needs of vulnerable groups, including people at risk of exclusion, poverty, homelessness, or displacement.
Examples may also illustrate the application of “design for all” principles to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and respond to ageing-related challenges. Innovative ownership, governance, and business models — such as cooperative schemes, anti-speculation mechanisms, or impact investment — are also eligible.
By empowering communities to shape their living environments, these projects shall contribute to resilient social structures, local agency, and stronger democratic practices rooted in everyday life.
3 - Arts, Culture, and Heritage as Drivers of Change
This category rewards projects that combine beauty, sustainability, and social inclusion by using arts, culture, and cultural heritage as drivers of creativity, innovation, and social transformation within the New European Bauhaus framework. It recognises the role of cultural practices, heritage, and quality design in strengthening social cohesion, fostering new approaches, and creating a shared sense of place.
The category welcomes transdisciplinary initiatives that connect art, science, and industry by embedding artists and cultural professionals in technological and scientific environments, and by fostering collaboration with academic, construction, and manufacturing sectors. These projects generate new perspectives, imagine alternative futures, and co-create forward-looking solutions for societal regeneration.
Projects may also combine cultural and vernacular knowledge with digital and emerging technologies to enhance impact and support learning and participation in NEB values.
Projects may involve the physical transformation of places, showing how new, renovated, or repurposed spaces connect with local heritage, contemporary lifestyles, and demographic realities. They may bring together artists, designers, architects, educators, researchers, and local communities to reimagine neighbourhoods and public spaces. The adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, based on repair and informed renovation, is particularly encouraged as a way to support decarbonisation while preserving cultural value.
Examples can include the development of products, services, or business models rooted in local culture, craftsmanship, and creative diversity, in fields such as fashion, furniture, interior design, food, and everyday living.
The category recognises culture-led initiatives that go beyond functionality and aesthetics to create meaningful, inclusive, and enriching experiences that inspire lasting change.
4 - Enablers for New European Bauhaus Transformation
This category recognises projects that create the conditions needed to develop, scale up, and mainstream New European Bauhaus solutions. It rewards initiatives that support new ways of working, learning, governing, and financing to enable sustainable, inclusive, and high-quality transformation.
The category welcomes initiatives that develop innovative governance and participation models, funding schemes, education and skills programmes, and experimental environments where NEB approaches can be tested, refined, and scaled up.
Eligible projects may promote good practices to attract private investment and develop innovative business and financing models, including blended finance, local funding mechanisms, public–private partnerships, and community-based cooperative schemes that support affordable and high-quality solutions.
Projects may also support the development and dissemination of NEB-aligned standards, peer-learning platforms, professional training and technical assistance programmes, and specialised academic courses, including master’s and doctoral programmes. They shall help practitioners, businesses, and public authorities integrate NEB values and principles into their daily work.
Particular attention is given to initiatives that empower local actors, foster cross-sector collaboration, and support citizens and communities in co-creating their neighbourhoods and living environments, including through inclusive and accessible design approaches.
By strengthening capacities, skills, demand, and investment for integrated NEB projects, this category highlights solutions that enable systemic change and ensure the long-term viability and impact of the New European Bauhaus.
Applications for the New European Bauhaus Prizes should be submitted through the dedicated NEB Prizes platform and should be described in detail in the relevant application form.
The application period will start on 20 February 2026 and end on 17 March 2026 at 19:00 CET). Any possible decision to extend this deadline will be communicated on the New European Bauhaus Prizes platform
The application should detail how the project or concept reflects and translates the New European Bauhaus values and working principles. It should also include elements reflecting the eligibility and award criteria which differ slightly for each strand (see further detail in the sections below).
To help you complete the application form, please refer to Annex 1 and 2 that includes guidance for the description of your project.
Please note:
- Each application can be submitted under one category and in one strand only. Each applicant can submit multiple applications if they are related to different projects or concepts.
- Each application can be submitted only once but can be modified and updated while they are in draft state.
- You are invited to follow the New European Bauhaus Prizes platform for more information and further updates, and you can send your questions using the Contact form.
- Only applications that are submitted by the official deadline will be considered by the Evaluation Committee. Please do not wait until the final deadline to submit your application to avoid last-minute problems, such as page loading delays that may occur around the closing date of submissions.
All applicants for the international prizes of the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2026 must meet the criteria outlined in the Tables 1 to 3.
Table 1: Eligibility of the applicant (Who you are)
- Applicants for Strand A may be individuals, public authorities, non-profit organisations, or private entities that are nationals of, legally established in, and operating in Brazil or Japan, and that represent an existing and completed project implemented exclusively in the same country.
Applicants for Strand B may be individuals, non-profit organisations, or private entities that are nationals of, legally established in, and operating in Brazil or Japan, and that represent a specific concept intended to be developed and implemented exclusively in the same country.
All applicants in this strand, including any co-authors involved in the creation of the given concept, must be 30 years old or younger on the final day of call for applications.
If applying as a non-profit organisation or as a private entity, all representatives must also meet the age requirement by the final day for submissions.
- Special rules apply for certain entities (e.g. entities subject to EU restricted measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) (please note that the EU Official Journal contains the official list and, in case of conflict, its content prevails over that of the EU Sanctions Map) and entities covered by Commission Guidelines No 2013/C 205/05 - Commission guidelines No 2013/C 205/05 on the eligibility of Israeli entities and their activities in the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967 for grants, prizes and financial instruments funded by the EU from 2014 onwards (OJEU C 205 of 19.07.2013, pp. 9-11). Such entities are not eligible to participate in any capacity.
The application must be submitted by
a) Strand A: the individual(s) or the organisation(s) (such as city or region, funder, organiser) who is/are entitled to represent the project.
b) Strand B: the individual(s) or the organisation(s) who are the author(s) ofthe concept. If the concept has multiple co-authors involved in its design or development, all must be listed, along with an indication of their age and proof of age.
- The applicant should not be in one or more of the exclusion situations foreseen under Article 136 of the Financial Regulation (Article 136).
- The applicant will assume sole liability in the event of a claim relating to the activities conducted in the framework of the contest.
Table 2: Eligibility of the entry (the nature of your project)
- Projects and concepts submitted under Strand A and B must be implemented in Brazil or Japan.
- Double funding is prohibited. Projects or concepts that have received a monetary EU prize are ineligible for this contest. However, projects or concepts that have previously received public funding, including from the EU, (e.g. a grant) are eligible, if they have not won a monetary EU prize.
- Applications must explain how the project or concept integrates and promotes the New European Bauhaus values and working principles, and how it will improve the quality of life for people and communities in the long term.
- Each application mustbe related to a specific location or region, witha clear target group and defined objectives. It should explain how the project or concept addresses the specific challenges faced by the location or region.
- Projects or concepts that cannot be replicated in other contexts are not eligible. Replicability means that the project or concept can be implemented or adapted in a different location from where it originated.
Applications must meet the following maturity and implementation progress requirements:
a) Projects in strand A must be fully completed at the time of the application, with no missing components (be it physical/tangible or intangible components). Processes, tools, business models, or methods need to have been fully developed by the time of application. Projects in this strand must have been implemented or applied in at least one specific case.
b) Concepts in strand B can be at different stages of development, ranging from early-stage ideas to prototypes. The application should demonstrate a commitment to bringing the concept to life.
Table 3: Eligibility of the submission (how you apply)
- The name of the legal representative must be indicated.
- Applicants must clearly indicate the prize category and strand (A or B) for which they are applying in the application form.
- The application must be submitted via the online platform no later than (17 March 2026, 19:00.00 CET). During the applications period, the European Commission may issue a decision to extend the deadline for applications. A decision on extension is communicated on the New European Bauhaus Prizes platform.
- Applications must be submitted in English.
- The same project and concept cannot be submitted to multiple categories or strands.
- Applicants may submit more than one application, but each must represent a different project or concept in a different category or strand. Submitting the same application twice is not permitted. Multiple submissions of the same project or concept under different categories or strands will be considered ineligible.
- The application must consist of a fully completed form found in the NEB prizes platform, with all mandatory fields filled in. Each applicant is also required to sign the accompanying Privacy Statement.
The application shall include basic information and credits for the project or concept, as well as:
a) For Strand A: at least six photographs with appropriate copyright information and authorisation to use them by the European Commission. If photographs are not suitable, other visual representations (e.g., graphs, drawings) can be provided.
b) For Strand B: at least one photograph or visual representation of the concept, with copyright information and authorisation to use them by the European Commission.
Applications must include documentation that reflects the level of maturity and progress:
a) For strand A, the application must include details of achieved results and outputs of completed projects, e.g., evaluation report, final project report, relevant certification, etc
b) For Strand B: a development plan, detailing the next steps to further develop, promote, and/or implement the concept, with particular focus on the year following the application. The application should demonstrate a commitment to bringing the concept to life.
The quality assessment of applications will be conducted by external, independent experts based on the award criteria outlined below (the final ranking and selection of the winners shall be confirmed by the Evaluation Committee, consisting of Members from the European Commission. This committee holds full responsibility for ensuring the proper conduct of the competition and its final outcomes). A maximum of 100 points will be awarded for the quality of the application. To be considered eligible for selection, an application must obtain a minimum of 50% of the maximum aggregate score obtainable across all award criteria.
a) Showing results, outputs, or impact of the project in relation to its objectives, and to what is expected in the context of the respective category. This includes benefits from the project for direct and indirect beneficiaries. The project should also demonstrate their transformative potential from a global perspective (10 / 100 points)
b) Exemplary character in terms of the three core values of the New European Bauhaus (40 / 100 points):
- Sustainability: in the environmental sense, for example, reducing the environmental impact of human activities, advancing circularity and eco-design, implementation of nature-based solutions, preventing biodiversity loss, and promoting economic activities that encourage preservation, regeneration, and lifecycle thinking. Social sustainability and financial sustainability (such as project maintenance or funding) are not part of this criterion.
- Inclusion: in its various senses, ranging from accessibility and affordability for all, inclusive management, and design for all. It includes celebrating diversity, promoting interaction across generations, addressing spatial segregation and isolation, supporting vulnerable members of the community, and increasing opportunities for social interaction among everyone.
- Aesthetics and quality of experience for people: through design and emotional/cultural benefits, for example by connecting to the unique qualities of the place where the project is situated, fostering a sense of belonging through meaningful experiences or integrating new enduring cultural and social values.
c) Exemplary character in terms of the three main working principles of the New European Bauhaus (35 / 100 points):
- Participatory process: involvement of communities potentially affected by the project in the co-design, decision-making and implementation phases. Empowerment of local communities.
- Multi-level engagement: effective exchange both horizontally (e.g. links between different citizens, stakeholders, or municipalities) and vertically (e.g. links with regional and/or national stakeholders); to connect stakeholders from diverse levels who share similar purposes.
- Transdisciplinary approach: engagement of professionals and knowledge from different fields (e.g. architecture, drama, natural sciences) as well as drawing on the knowledge of non-academics and the public.
d) Innovative dimension (cross cutting criteria): novel approaches, as compared to mainstream, business-as-usual practices. (10 / 100 points)
e) EU Competitiveness: soundness of the financial approach to the project. (5 / 100 points)
f) High potential for transferring and replicating parts of the project (e.g. of the methodology, solutions, and experiences) to various places and contexts. (5 / 100 points).
The process of selecting the winners is organised and scrutinised by an Evaluation Committee composed of representatives of the European Commission. The Committee will ensure the respect of applicable rules, including in terms of conflict of interest. The Committee does not evaluate the applications themselves.
The selection process will take place in the following steps.
7.1. Eligibility check (planned for February-March 2026)
The Evaluation Committee will review all the applications to assess their eligibility following the criteria enlisted in section 5.
7.2. Quality assessment (planned for March-April 2026)
External experts selected by the European Commission services will conduct the assessment of the applications. To select these experts, the European Commission published a ‘Call for Expression of Interest' seeking experts that demonstrate relevant expertise in relation to the New European Bauhaus (balanced diversity of expertise around sustainability, inclusion, and aesthetics). The experts must not have any part in or conflict of interest with applications submitted for the New European Bauhaus Prizes competition.
The selected experts will evaluate the applications and attribute points based on the award criteria mentioned in Section 6. Each eligible application will be evaluated by two different experts.
Establishment of the list of finalists
The 6 top-ranking applications across all categories and strands competing for the international prizes will be included in the list of 27 finalists of the NEB Prizes 2026.
The Evaluation committee will ensure that there are at least 3 applications from each of the eligible countries. This rule applies provided that the top-rated application(s) passed all eligibility criteria, and gathered minimum quality, defined as at least 50% of the maximum aggregate score obtainable across all award criteria.
7.4. Jury assessment (planned for June 2026)
The 6 finalists’ applications will be assessed by a final jury of experts selected through the same ‘Call for Expression of Interest’ described in point 7.2. Balanced diversity of expertise around sustainability, inclusion, and aesthetics, as well as gender and geographical balance will be considered when selecting the jury members. Members will also certify the absence of any conflict of interest with respect to any of the finalist applications.
The final jury will propose 2 winners, one in each of the eligible countries, across all categories and strands.
The final jury will operate on a consensus basis. In case of persistent divergence of views, decisions can be taken by a simple majority voting rule.
7.5. Winners selected and notified (planned for July-September 2026)
The Evaluation Committee will first check the regularity of the entire process, will review the proposal of the jury, and will establish the 2 winners of the international prizes among the 13 winners of the NEB Prizes 2026.
The European Commission will award the prizes to the winners, and monetary tokens to runners-up based on the recommendations of the Evaluation Committee.
The Commission may cancel the contest or decide not to award the prize in any or all the categories, without any obligation to compensate participants, if: (a) no applications are received; (b) the evaluation committee cannot find a winner in each category and strand; c) the winners are not eligible or must be excluded.
The Commission may withdraw the prize after its award and recover all payments made, if it finds out that: (a) false information, fraud or corruption was used to obtain it; (b) a winner was not eligible or should have been excluded; (c) a winner is in serious breach of its obligations under the above rules of this contest.