The European Commission has announced the winners of the 2025 New European Bauhaus (NEB) Prizes, recognizing 22 projects that integrate sustainability, inclusion, and aesthetics. This marks the fifth year for the NEB prizes, which aim to demonstrate how culture and technology can work together to improve communities.
Awards were given in four categories with two strands: established projects under ‘New European Bauhaus Champions’ and promising initiatives from younger applicants under ‘New European Bauhaus Rising Stars’. A special prize addressed the need for affordable and sustainable housing.
For the first time, 20 small municipalities received the NEB Boost for Small Municipalities, a new initiative supported by a pilot project of the European Parliament. The initiative acknowledges the contribution of smaller communities in advancing sustainable and inclusive development.
Winners received up to EUR 30,000 each and a communication package. The awards ceremony took place in Brussels on September 30 with Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms Rafaelle Fitto; Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall; and Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen present.
During the event, the Commission also launched a student design competition for next year’s NEB Prizes trophy. Students are invited to submit designs representing sustainability, beauty, and togetherness by January 31, 2026.
President Ursula von der Leyen stated: “Every year I am impressed by the creativity in this competition. And I am really pleased with this year’s special housing prize. It will help us to think about solutions to the housing crisis in a new way. And it is an inspiration for our work on a European Housing Plan. Our goal is to make housing more affordable, sustainable, and better quality. These are also the goals of the New European Bauhaus. A home is not just walls and a roof. It is safety and belonging.”
Among this year’s ‘Champions’ winners were Spain’s Green Axes and Squares project reclaiming streets for people; Austria’s dieHausWirtschaft cooperative combining affordable housing with shared spaces; Ukraine’s Promprylad transforming an old factory into an innovation hub; Lithuania’s HempForma using traditional hemp production for modern acoustic panels; while Portugal’s Edible School won public support as an educational ecosystem centered on food sustainability.
In ‘Rising Stars’, Hungary’s Pollino converted urban signage into pollinator habitats; Estonia’s Kopli Community Courtyard saw students co-design public space from recycled materials; Greece’s Tavros Project retrofitted buildings for energy efficiency; Italy’s UN_SKIN explored biomaterials as leather alternatives; Italy’s Therapeutic Sculpture used participatory art for well-being.
A focus was placed on affordable housing through four special prizes awarded to projects in Denmark, France, Germany, and the Netherlands that exemplify accessible yet sustainable living solutions within Europe.
The NEB Boost recognized efforts from small municipalities across countries including Czechia, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal,and Finland—demonstrating that rural towns are also implementing NEB principles at local levels with support from the European Parliament pilot project.
Looking ahead,the Commission invites participation in the New European Bauhaus Festival scheduled June 9-13 ,2026 . Submissions are open until October 15 ,2025 (for Fair & Fest) or December 31 ,2025 (for Satellite events).
Launched after President von der Leyen’s State of Union address in 2020,the New European Bauhaus now includes nearly2 ,000 members across Europe ,inspiring almost500 projects .It supports implementation of the European Green Deal at local level by linking innovation,culture,and social inclusion.Since its start over5 ,700 applications have been submitted ;94 winners have shared more than €2 million .
This year introduced ‘NEB Affordable Housing’ prizes highlighting EU-based solutions.The ceremony was part of the second NEB in Regions & Cities event held September29 -30 bringing together400 participants focused on best practices exchange.
