Prizes: All applications

NEXT GEN DESIGN responds to the climate emergency by empowering young designers across Europe to shape sustainable futures. Anchored in Vienna at designforum Wien and connected with five European platforms, it combines a travelling exhibition, open call, and residency to foster exchange, networking, and inclusivity. The project presents publicly what design can do, showcasing innovative solutions. Launched in 2025, it continues in 2026, aligned with the European Green Deal.

La Matanza de Acentejo shows how small rural communities can drive Europe’s green transition. Over 25 years, it has developed an integrated model combining protected agricultural landscapes, affordable housing and climate action. By preserving 70% of its territory and enabling access to housing through assisted self-construction, it has created a resilient and inclusive way of living. This long-term transformation offers a scalable model for rural Europe.

Collect, Clean, Sanitize and Reuse glass bottles in Kavadarci, NMK Smart reuse vs recycling as the last resort! Successfull pilot operation to be expanded nationwide Wine bottles from restarants, markets are collected and uplevelled from being garbage to a valuable, foodgrade save product. Inclusive jobs created. Supporting family wineries via low cost high quality bottles 100 000 bottles cleaned,30 tons CO2 saved, Carbon neutral cleaning PV, solar thermal and EVs planned

This project transforms traditional museum exhibitions into immersive, interactive experiences through the integration of Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Implemented in the Museum of Vojvodina, the solution allows visitors to “bring to life” artworks and historical artifacts using their mobile devices. By scanning selected exhibits, visitors unlock animated stories, contextual narratives and AI video production

In Sobreiro — a social housing district at the heart of Maia —vulnerable residents became co-designers of their neighborhood’s transformation. Through participatory co-design, a Renewable Energy Community, building renovation and cultural engagement, the Urban Revolution project in Maia tackled energy poverty, social exclusion and urban degradation. The interventions in Sobreiro are a replicable NEB enabler serving as a model for municipalities across Europe.

SÕÕR Circular MakerLab is a community-driven biodesign platform where local biomaterials, digital fabrication, and participatory learning converge. Through workshops, monthly MakerLabs, academic collaborations, and an open biomaterial library, the project transforms waste into value while building circular skills, knowledge, and resilient local production systems.

The Pepe Dome in Ostpark München is a sustainable, mobile dome for contemporary circus. It uses existing spaces efficiently and promotes shared community use. Its novelty lies in combining circus, art, and an open cultural space that is flexible, inclusive, and locally oriented. Created, influenced and enabled through the NEBourhoods Project Neuperlach.

In small and remote European villages, SMOTIES enhanced the co-creation of spaces for collective life, where participation becomes a way to negotiate needs, conflicts, and envision alternative futures. Often, the absence of gathering spaces limits opportunities for residents to connect and advocate for their needs. Through co-creation, overlooked places turn into sites of encounter, care, and local democracy, enabling communities to shape their environments from within.

Noria Anis is a circular fashion initiative that extends garment life through timeless design, local production in Romania, community engagement and behavioral change. By producing small series with local ateliers, it reduces waste and environmental impact. Through participatory styling workshops, it actively shifts consumer behavior, encouraging women to use their wardrobes more intentionally and reduce overconsumption.

Glas Zabjela ("Voice of Zabjelo") is a community media platform that has turned a Podgorica neighbourhood of 40,000 into an engaged civic community. Since 2017: illegal construction halted, a park saved, a community centre secured in the city budget, free youth arts programmes, a community mural, contributed to first music festival with 2,300 attendees, revived a local football club and much more. Proof that storytelling, participation, and a shared identity can reshape a neighbourhood.