By rewarding and putting real-life examples and young talents' great ideas into the limelight, the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Prizes demonstrates that innovative solutions for a positive future – combining sustainability, inclusion, and quality of life for all – are not only possible, but already happening. It helps bring the NEB closer to citizens and inspires more people to start their own projects.
Applicants from any nationality are welcome to apply, provided their project, concept, or idea is implemented in the EU, the Western Balkans, Ukraine or Moldova.
Applicants from Brazil or Japan, who have a project or idea implemented in their respective countries, can apply for the international prizes.
- For Strand A, all the individual(s) or organisation(s) (such as city or region, funder, organiser) who is/are entitled to represent the project can apply.
- For Strand B, the individual(s) or the organisation(s) who are the author(s) of the concept may apply, provided all representatives involved in creating the concept are 30 years old or younger on the final day of call for applications).
No. Both EU and non-EU applicants are eligible, as long as their projects or concepts/ideas are implemented in the EU, the Western Balkans, Ukraine or Moldova.
For the international prizes, only applicants from Brazil or Japan, who have a project or idea implemented in their respective countries, are eligible to apply.
- For Strand A: mature, implemented projects that are already delivering concrete results on the ground.
- For Strand B: promising ideas or early-stage initiatives, developed by young talents aged 30 years old or younger.
Both existing projects and new ideas can be submitted, provided they are implemented within the EU, Western Balkans, Ukraine, or Moldova.
Eligibility to compete for the annual thematic special prize on water resilience is limited to projects or ideas implemented in the EU, Western Balkans, Ukraine, or Moldova are.
For the international prizes, projects and ideas from Brazil or Japan must be submitted by individuals or organisations based in those countries, and the initiative must also be implemented there.
All submissions must reflect the New European Bauhaus values – sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful – as well as its core working principles: participatory processes, multi-level engagement, and a transdisciplinary approach.
Since 2024, the Prizes have been awarded a thematic special prize focusing on a specific theme. In 2026, the spotlight will be on projects and concepts dedicated to integrating water management into everyday spaces, buildings, and products, aiming to achieve sustainability, inclusivity, and enhancements in quality of life. Eligible projects include those related to the design and transformation of the built environment to protect and restore the water cycle, efficiently use water in a circular manner, and ensure inclusive access to clean and affordable water, all while creating beautiful, liveable, and socially inclusive places.
The special prize for Water Resilience is open to projects and concepts located in the EU, Western Balkans, Moldova, or Ukraine. Applicants must indicate their interest in this prize when completing the application form.
Applications will also be eligible to compete in Strand A and B of the mainstream NEB Prizes 2026 competition, within the category in which the application was submitted. However, each application can only win one prize: either as a winner in one of the categories, through the public vote, or as the recipient of the Water Resilience special prize. A project cannot be awarded more than one prize.
In 2026, the Prizes will welcome for the first time applications from Brazil or Japan. One winner from each of these countries will be awarded an international prize of EUR 20,0000 each, and two runners-up from each will receive monetary tokens of EUR 5,000 each.
Applicants can choose from two strands:
- Strand A: "New European Bauhaus Champions," for Brazilian and Japanese individuals and entities with completed projects and results in Brazil or Japan.
- Strand B: "New European Bauhaus Rising Stars," for Brazilian and Japanese talents aged 30 or younger with new concepts or prototypes aimed at implementation in Brazil or Japan.
International prizes are exclusively for Brazilian or Japanese citizens or legal residents. Applications must come from those based in, and proposing projects or ideas for implementation within, Brazil or Japan.
If you are a Brazilian or Japanese individual or organisation with a project based in the EU, Western Balkans, Ukraine, or Moldova, we invite you to consult the relevant Guide to Applicants. Refer to the Guide for Strand A if you have completed a project, or to the Guide for Strand B if you are 30 or younger.
In both strands, applicants can apply under one of the four thematic categories, revised to align with the European Commission’s future plans for the initiative.
- Enhancing circularity, sustainability and innovation
We will be looking for inspiring projects that demonstrate how circular and resource-efficient approaches can improve both environmental performance and quality of life.
Eligible initiatives should apply circular principles such as reuse, repair, modularity, design for disassembly, sharing models, and the use of bio-based or recycled materials, while strengthening local and regional value chains.
Projects may showcase smarter use of space and infrastructure through renovation, adaptive reuse, or temporary solutions that respond to housing and spatial constraints. They may also integrate energy-, water-, and material-efficient strategies, nature-based solutions, or digital and AI-supported tools contributing to climate neutrality, biodiversity protection, and the sustainable management of natural resources.
The category rewards scalable technological, social, and community-led innovations, as well as new spatial, organisational, and business models that support SMEs, skills development, and long-term socio-economic resilience. Affordability and social inclusion must be embedded throughout.
- Strengthening local democracy and inclusion
We will be looking for projects that place citizens at the centre of decision-making and implementation processes, strengthening local democracy, social cohesion, and trust.
Projects should demonstrate genuine participatory and co-design approaches that bring together citizens, professionals, and public authorities in transdisciplinary ways.
- Arts, culture, and heritage as drivers of change
We will be looking for projects that use arts, culture, and cultural heritage as catalysts for creativity, innovation, and social transformation within the framework of the New European Bauhaus.
Eligible initiatives may connect art, science, and industry, embedding cultural professionals in technological and scientific environments and fostering collaboration across academic, construction, and manufacturing sectors. Projects should generate new perspectives, imagine alternative futures, and co-create forward-looking solutions for societal regeneration.
- Enablers for New European Bauhaus transformation
We will be looking for projects that create the enabling conditions necessary to develop, scale up, and mainstream solutions aligned with the New European Bauhaus.
The first category focuses on projects that combine beauty, sustainability, and social inclusion through circular and resource-efficient approaches.
It recognises solutions that reduce environmental impact while improving quality of life, affordability, and resilience, across sectors such as construction, textiles, furniture, and design.
Eligible projects are expected to apply circular principles — including reuse, repair, modularity, design for disassembly, sharing models, and the use of bio-based or recycled materials — and to reinforce local or regional circular value chains.
In the built environment, this may include renovation, repurposing, temporary uses, or smarter use of space and infrastructure to address housing and space constraints.
Projects may also integrate energy-, water-, and material-efficient strategies, nature-based solutions, and digital or AI tools contributing to climate action, biodiversity protection, and sustainable resource management.
More broadly, the category recognises technological, social, and community-led innovation that can be replicated or scaled up, including new spatial, organisational, and business models supporting SMEs, skills development, and climate-neutral, nature-positive futures.
Affordability and social inclusion must be embedded throughout.
The second category recognises projects that strengthen local democracy, social cohesion, and trust by placing citizens at the centre of decision-making and implementation.
Projects must demonstrate genuine participatory and co-design approaches, bringing together citizens, professionals, and public authorities in transdisciplinary collaboration.
The use of innovative tools — including digital platforms and immersive environments — to support participation and collective decision-making is encouraged.
Co-ownership, cooperative, and community-led models promoting affordability and inclusion are particularly welcome.
This category also rewards initiatives that create inclusive, accessible, high-quality public spaces and neighbourhoods, fostering belonging and intergenerational fairness.
Projects may address the needs of vulnerable groups, including people at risk of exclusion, poverty, homelessness, or displacement.
Applications may also demonstrate “design for all” principles and innovative governance or business models, such as cooperative schemes, anti-speculation mechanisms, or impact investment.
The overall objective is to reinforce resilient social structures and stronger democratic practices rooted in everyday life.
This category recognises the role of arts, culture, and cultural heritage as drivers of creativity, innovation, and social transformation within the NEB framework.
It welcomes transdisciplinary initiatives connecting art, science, and industry — for example, by embedding artists in technological or scientific environments, or by fostering collaboration with construction, manufacturing, and academic sectors.
Projects may combine cultural and vernacular knowledge with digital and emerging technologies to enhance participation and learning.
They may also involve the transformation of places, showing how new, renovated, or repurposed spaces connect heritage with contemporary lifestyles and demographic realities.
Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, based on repair and informed renovation, is particularly encouraged as a contribution to decarbonisation while preserving cultural value.
Examples may include products, services, or business models rooted in local culture and craftsmanship in areas such as fashion, furniture, design, food, and everyday living.
The fourth category focuses on initiatives that create the conditions necessary to develop, scale up, and mainstream NEB solutions.
It rewards projects that support new ways of working, learning, governing, and financing sustainable and inclusive transformation.
This includes innovative governance and participation models, funding schemes, education and skills programmes, and experimental environments where NEB approaches can be tested and refined.
Projects may promote good practices to attract private investment and develop innovative financing mechanisms, such as blended finance, local funding instruments, public–private partnerships, or cooperative schemes.
Eligible initiatives may also support the development of NEB-aligned standards, peer-learning platforms, professional training, technical assistance, and specialised academic programmes.
Particular attention is given to initiatives that empower local actors, foster cross-sector collaboration, and support communities in co-creating their living environments.
Applications for the New European Bauhaus Prizes must be submitted via the dedicated online platform. Completed projects (Strand A) or concepts (Strand B) should be described in detail in the relevant application form.
The application form should detail how the project or concept represents the three New European Bauhaus values. It should also include elements reflecting the eligibility and award criteria which differ slightly for each strand.
For projects or concepts implemented in the EU, Western Balkans, Ukraine, or Moldova, please consult the Guide to Applicants for Strand A if your project is complete, and refer to the Guide to Applicants for Strand B, if you are 30 years old or younger.
For projects and concepts implemented in Brazil or Japan, please refer to the dedicated Guide to Applicants for International Prizes.
The application period will start on 20/02/2026 and end on 17/03/2025. Only applications submitted before the official deadline will be considered by the Evaluation Committee.
Yes. Individuals and organisations can re-apply with the same project, provided they have not won a New European Bauhaus Prize or received any EU-funded monetary award in the past.
No. Each application may be submitted under one category and in one strand only. An applicant can submit multiple applications if they are related to different projects or concepts.
To access the application form, you will need to use an EU Login. If you do not have one yet, please follow the instructions on how to create an EU Login. If you already have one but have troubles in accessing it, please contact the EU Login support.
Yes. Applications can be modified and updated while in draft form until the application deadline 17/03/2025. However, once an application is submitted, it cannot be altered.
STRAND A rewards projects that are fully completed at the time of application. Applicants must be able to show at least one specific case where the projects have been implemented or applied. Furthermore, the applicants need to be able to provide the relevant documentation showing outputs, evaluation, certifications, and project reports. The maturity of the project should reflect these criteria.
Each winner will receive a monetary prize:
- EUR 20,000 for winners of the New European Bauhaus Champions (Strand A)
- EUR 15,000 for winners of the New European Bauhaus Rising Stars (Strand B)
- EUR 20,000 for one winner of the special prize on Water Resilience
- EUR 20,000 for each for the winners of the international prizes - one in Brazil and one in Japan.
Each runner-up will receive a monetary token of EUR 5,000. In addition, winners will benefit from a communications package provided by the European Commission, which includes promotion on official websites and social media channels, production of a short video, and support in promoting the projects.
The selection process takes place in several stages:
- Eligibility check: the Evaluation Committee, composed of Commission representatives, will check that the entries are eligible (the Committee will not evaluate the applications themselves).
- Quality assessment: external experts, selected by the Commission through a ‘Call for Expression of Interest', will evaluate the applications and attribute points based on the award criteria in the Guide to applicants.
- Establishment of finalists: a list of 27 finalists for the NEB Prizes 2026 will be established by selecting the 8 top-ranking applications in Strand A and the 8 top-ranking applications in Strand B, with at least 2 applications per category in each strand. Additionally, the 5 top-ranking applications competing for the water resilience special prize across all strands and categories will be included in the list. Finally, the 6 top-ranking submitted for the international prizes will be included in the list, ensuring at least 3 applications from each eligible country. 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.
- Public voting: finalists' applications selected in the previous selection process will be published on the website for public voting where one winner in each strand will be selected. Please note that the public vote will not include the 6 finalists competing for international prizes.
- Jury assessment: s all finalists' applications will be assessed by a final jury of experts who will propose a list of 11 winners to the Evaluation Committee.
- Establishment of results: the European Commission will award the prizes to the selected winners based on the recommendations of the Evaluation Committee and the results of the public vote.