New European Bauhaus prizes 2024: Celebrating innovative sustainable development across Europe

Saturday, April 13, 2024

The Commission revealed the 20 recipients of the 2024 New European Bauhaus (NEB) Prizes, marking the fourth consecutive year of the awards, which are supported by the Cohesion Policy. This year’s edition highlights a unique category dedicated to reconstruction projects in Ukraine and emphasizes initiatives within EU regions that face socio-economic difficulties or challenges related to the green transition.

These prizes reward outstanding projects and initiatives that combine sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics, demonstrating how the European Green Deal transition can practically enrich the lives of people and communities. The prizes are awarded in four categories and two strands: one for established projects (the “New European Bauhaus Champions”) and one for promising initiatives from younger applicants (the “New European Bauhaus Rising Stars”).

The award ceremony took place at the New European Bauhaus Festival, where Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, and Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, presented the awards. Vsevolod Chentsov, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU, was also present.

2024 New European Bauhaus Prize Winners and Honorable Mentions:

Champions of New European Bauhaus:

• Map4Water: One Thousand Fountains City (Bosnia and Herzegovina): This initiative, which won the public vote, focuses on mapping and enhancing public water fountains in Sarajevo, involving local authorities, citizens, and tourists.
• Făget Forest Park; Cluj’s Green Lung (Romania): Awarded for its dual role in recreation and conservation within a significant forest park.
• Flytevi – Blue Urban Community Garden (Sweden): Recognized for its role in fostering sustainable community food and water solutions.
• SET Community Gardens (The Netherlands): Celebrated for its community garden that brings together diverse generations and cultures.
• Concrete to Culture (Bulgaria): Transforms a former office complex into a vibrant community hub.
• Rooftop Garden (Spain): Aims to integrate people with disabilities through horticultural activities.
• Yes We Camp (France): Activates communal spaces to empower local communities.
• A Sustainable Campus Transformation (Luxembourg): Focuses on the use of reclaimed materials in building renovations to minimize environmental impact.
• Re-Sourcing Commons (Austria): Enhances sustainability and community collaboration in a public park setting.

Rising Stars of New European Bauhaus:

• Regenerative Agriculture Hub (Spain): Leads in sustainable farming practices that enhance biodiversity.
• Cultivating Companionship (Germany): A research residency aimed at fostering life-centered design in agriculture and architecture.
• Hydroscape Lisbon (Portugal): Investigates the role of water in urban climate resilience.
• Cooperative Ownership of Communities (Hungary): Advocates for inclusive and affordable housing through sustainable practices.
• Co-llection (Greece): Reimagines rural community narratives through art.
• Community reBuilding (Ukraine): Supports the creation and renewal of Community Building Centres.
• Teufelsberg Transformation Lab (Germany): A model for collaborative policy innovation.
• Urban_MYCOskin (Portugal): Converts waste into eco-friendly materials.
• The Station (Belgium): Designs an autonomous, renewable energy-powered workstation for seasonal agricultural processing.

Special Recognition for Ukraine’s Reconstruction and Recovery:

• Nad Dzherelom (Lviv City Council): Awarded for revitalizing an abandoned natural area for social integration and biodiversity conservation.
• Leo States: Provides temporary housing for internally displaced persons in Ukraine.

The recognized projects, selected from 49 finalists, each received up to €30,000 and a communications package to further develop or replicate their initiatives across Europe.

Background on the New European Bauhaus Prizes:
The NEB Prizes acknowledge exemplary initiatives in four categories: Reconnecting with Nature, Regaining a Sense of Belonging, Prioritizing Places and People in Need, and Shaping a Circular Industrial Ecosystem. The competition includes two strands: one for established projects (“New European Bauhaus Champions”) and another for promising concepts from individuals under 30 (“New European Bauhaus Rising Stars”).

The NEB initiative, launched by President Ursula von der Leyen in 2020, connects the European Green Deal with everyday life, fostering sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful solutions for the built environment and lifestyle. Today, the NEB enjoys robust participation across the EU, with nearly 1400 members in its community and about 500 dedicated projects.

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