Themes and pillars of the 2026 edition
The NEB Festival 2026 will, among other topics, address the transformative power of democratic engagement in shaping more inclusive and sustainable communities. It will highlight how empowered citizens and local authorities can play an active role in creating their environments, with a particular emphasis on affordable housing as a cornerstone of democratic participation. In line with the NEB’s core vision, the Festival will be a space to reimagine our built environment, placing first life, then spaces, and then buildings.
The Festival encompasses four key pillars:
- Forum – a platform for engaging discussions and the exchange of ideas surrounding the New European Bauhaus.
- Fair – a laboratory and exhibition, highlighting projects and prototypes that align with and support the core values of the New European Bauhaus.
- Fest – a celebration that unites culture, art, and conviviality, serving as a moment of collective rejoicing, honouring freedom of expression and embracing radical, innovative, and disruptive ideas and visions.
- Satellite events – initiatives and events organised independently in Brussels and beyond, aligned with the New European Bauhaus values.
Programme
The programme for the 2026 Festival of the New European Bauhaus will be coming up soon.
Calls for participation
The calls for Fest, Fair, and Satellite events are now closed. We thank everyone who submitted an entry. All submissions are currently under review, and updates will be shared on this page in due course.
NEB Trophy 2026 Design Competition
The call for the NEB Trophy 2026 Design Competition is now closed. We are grateful for all submissions received. Entries are under review, and updates will be posted on the dedicated competition webpage.
Background
First held in 2022, the NEB Festival is a biennial event that invites people to celebrate and take stock of the progress of the New European Bauhaus, the European Commission initiative that aims to turn the European Green Deal and Clean Industrial Deal into tangible change on the ground, improving daily lives through sustainable solutions for the built environment and lifestyles. It combines sustainability with good design, inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability, respecting Europe’s diverse places, cultural heritage, and cultures.