The NEB has generated great enthusiasm throughout Europe since its launch in 2020 and has gained significant support, as it is considered by the European Commission itself to be “the soul of the European Green Deal,” bringing a cultural, creative, and aesthetic dimension to climate and sustainability goals. It also translates the objectives of the Green Deal into the built environment and everyday life, making the ecological transition more accessible, inclusive, and attractive.
It is also part of the Renovation Wave strategy, which sets priorities and principles for the decarbonization of buildings by 2050, and the Fit for 55 legislative package, one of the pillars of European Climate Action. That is why, since 2024, the NEB has been one of the EC’s priorities. Given this remarkable growth in recent years, the Commission has decided that a step forward must be taken.
To accompany the recent European Affordable Housing Plan, a proposal for a Recommendation has been drafted that links it directly to the principles of the New Bauhaus. It will also be important for the European Housing Construction Strategy and for the revision of the rules on state aid relating to Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI).
This document is complemented by the Communication on the NEB also recently issued by the EC. They are not binding, as they respect the principle of subsidiarity, but they offer important guidance and advice. They also encourage international cooperation and the coordination of joint projects, and enable new opportunities and financing instruments.
Public consultation. Promotion of co-creation
Both the Communication and the Recommendation were made possible thanks to a public consultation that began in September 2025. A total of 88 contributions were received from 24 countries, from citizens, NGOs, public authorities, businesses, and academic and research institutions.
Among the contributions, consideration was given to the need to empower small municipalities and local communities, especially in rural areas and on the outskirts of urban environments. Users also highlighted the capacity of culture and the arts to disseminate NEB values, and the focus that should be placed on energy efficiency, inclusion, and quality of life in current housing solutions, which is one of the main challenges of the present.
What does the EC recommend regarding NEB?
The use of the tools provided through the NEB Academy is encouraged, as it is understood to be a key infrastructure for the training and retraining of professionals, as well as for innovation in methodologies and biomaterials, all with the aim of promoting an affordable, sustainable, and high-quality transformation of the built environment and other sectors. In this regard, the Commission will seek to reach out to new student profiles through the programs of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and Erasmus+.
It advocates for the rehabilitation and use of underutilized buildings and the revitalization of urban and rural neighborhoods, avoiding spatial segregation. In addition, the use of digital solutions such as the Digital Product Passport, energy efficiency certificates, and digital building permits is encouraged.
The EC also aims to develop the potential of a competitive and sustainable bioeconomy, promoting its adoption in sectors such as textiles. Citizen participation must be very much present in all these processes, so the Recommendation encourages the use of accessible digital tools for urban co-design. To promote these co-creation solutions, calls for proposals are being promoted by the NEB Facility, through Horizon NEB, to enable their effective implementation.
Finally, the document points out that NEB values should continue to be promoted in cities and neighborhoods, encouraging the development of national NEB awards wherever possible. In Spain, the values of Sustainability, Inclusion, and Beauty are fully integrated into the evaluation and award criteria for the La Casa de la Arquitectura awards.
For its part, the Higher Council of Architects of Spain (CSCAE) includes a specific category, the New Bauhaus Award, in its ARCHITECTURE awards. Likewise, national projects, such as Superilles Barcelona and Bizi Beizaman, are increasingly recognized for their potential and importance throughout Europe.
