European Commission - Press release Applications for New European Bauhaus Prizes and Boost 2026 are open Brussels, 20 February 2026 Today, the European Commission is opening applications for several awards celebrating innovation and creativity inspired by the New European Bauhaus (NEB): The sixth edition of the New European Bauhaus Prizes and the second edition of the NEB Boost for Small Municipalities invite trailbl...
European Commission - Press release Applications for New European Bauhaus Prizes and Boost 2026 are open Brussels, 20 February 2026 Today, the European Commission is opening applications for several awards celebrating innovation and creativity inspired by the New European Bauhaus (NEB): The sixth edition of the New European Bauhaus Prizes and the second edition of the NEB Boost for Small Municipalities invite trailblazers from across Europe and beyond to present beautiful, sustainable, and inclusive projects with the potential to bring positive change to the life of citizens, enhance innovation and participation. President Ursula von der Leyen said: “ The New European Bauhaus has grown from an idea to a vibrant movement. Projects across Europe show the possibilities for our future: sustainable, inclusive and beautiful. This is the moment to scale up; placing the NEB firmly in our competitiveness agenda to drive innovation and creative thinking. And in this, the NEB Prizes are a crucial element .” Building on the successful 2025 edition, where 22 exemplary innovative projects and concepts were awarded with NEB Prizes and 20 community-driven initiatives received the NEB Boost for Small Municipalities, the Commission is once again seeking projects that promote sustainability, inclusivity and quality of life. Sixth round of NEB Prizes: Pioneering the Future A total of 13 winners will be awarded in 2026, including two public vote prizes, a special water resilience award and international awards. Each winning project will be awarded up to €20,000, while additional 14 runners-up will get €5,000 each. Several new features have been introduced in the 2026 prizes, showcasing the expanded interest these awards are receiving: Expanded Horizons : Moldova joins the list of eligible participants, along with EU Member States, the Western Balkans, and Ukraine. Spotlight on Water : Introducing the special 'Water Resilience' prize, rewarding €20,000 to a project or concept adept at tackling water-related challenges. Global Reach : A new, dedicated international track welcoming projects from Brazil and Japan with a €20,000 prize for one winner per country, and €5,000 for two runners-up each. Accelerator Programme for Champions and Rising Stars : Finalists will benefit from tailored coaching, strategic guidance, and communication support, ensuring their projects flourish beyond financial recognition. New categories: The four thematic prizes categories have been revised to reflect the Commission's plan for the future of the New European Bauhaus , namely: 1 . Enhancing Circularity, Sustainability, and Innovation 2 . Strengthening Local Democracy and Inclusion 3 . Arts, Culture, and Heritage as Drivers of Change 4 . Enablers for New European Bauhaus Transformation NEB Boost for Small Municipalities: Empowering Local Communities After the success of last year's first edition, the NEB Boost returns even stronger to award and financially support 20 projects taking place in rural settings or in communities with fewer than 20,000 residents. Eligible projects must focus on the built environment, including the construction, renovation, and adaptation of buildings and public spaces. These projects should prioritize circularity, carbon neutrality, cultural heritage preservation, affordable housing solutions, and the regeneration of rural or urban areas. The 20 winners of the NEB Boost will each receive a €30,000 prize , and a tailored communication package from the Commission to further amplify their achievements towards all communities across of Europe. How to apply Applications for the NEB Prizes 2026 and the 2026 NEB Boost for Small Municipalities are open until 17 March 2026 at 19:00 CET . Applications for both should be submitted through the official New European Bauhaus Prizes platform . All the details about the application process are included in the respective Guides to Applicants available in the platform. The finalist projects of the NEB Prizes 2026 will be announced during the third edition of the New European Bauhaus Festival on 9-13 June this year , while the winners will be revealed during a dedicated NEB Award ceremony in the Autumn 2026 . Background The New European Bauhaus is an EU policy and funding initiative that makes the clean transition in built environments attractive for all. The initiative invites everyone to reshape our future and make it sustainable, beautiful, and inclusive, promoting positive and inclusive experiences. Launched in 2021 following President von der Leyen's 2020 State of the Union address , the New European Bauhaus has grown into a vibrant community of over 2,000 members across Europe and beyond, and over 700 NEB projects supported to date. Under the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), €1.4 billion have been devoted to the NEB, with the bulk stemming from cohesion policy (over €840 million) and Horizon Europe (over €530 million). It has become a key driver in implementing the European Green Deal and Clean Industrial Deal at the local level, bridging innovation, design, architecture, culture, and social inclusion. Through the annual NEB Prizes, the initiative highlights tangible solutions that show how communities can live more sustainably and beautifully, while ensuring affordability and social fairness. Across five editions, the NEB Prizes have brought visibility to projects and ideas from across the EU, the Western Balkans and Ukraine. Since 2021, over 5,700 applications have been received, and 94 winners have shared more than €2 million in support. For more information New European Bauhaus Prizes platform Guide for New European Bauhaus Prizes New European Bauhaus website Commission Communication on the New European Bauhaus IP/26/445 Quote(s): "The New European Bauhaus has grown from an idea to a vibrant movement. Projects across Europe show the possibilities for our future: sustainable, inclusive and beautiful. This is the moment to scale up; placing the NEB firmly in our competitiveness agenda to drive innovation and creative thinking. And in this, the NEB Prizes are a crucial element." Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission - 20/02/2026 "Across Europe, communities are finding bold and creative ways to tackle the water challenges in their neighbourhoods and homes. Water scarcity is a growing societal challenge, and many regions or municipalities have either too much or too little water. This year’s edition of the New European Bauhaus Special Prize puts the spotlight on these water efficiency efforts. But the ambition doesn’t stop there! By welcoming countries from outside of Europe and updating our categories to make the NEB future proof, this revamped set of NEB 2026 prizes show how the NEB can be an enabler for the clean and circular transition, whilst fostering innovation and benefiting communities both in Europe and worldwide." Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy - 20/02/2026 "Supported by cohesion policy, the New European Bauhaus Prizes award the transformative power of local initiatives with the potential to create more sustainable, inclusive and resilient places where people can stay and thrive in the communities they call home. By promoting these projects with the Prizes, we are helping the best innovative ideas turn into inspiration for real change across all EU regions." Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms - 20/02/2026 Press contacts: Maciej BERESTECKI (+32 2 29 66483) Isabel ARRIAGA-E-CUNHA (+32 2 29 52117) Maëlys DREUX (+32 2 29 54673) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email
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