Proposal for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on the New European Bauhaus
Date: 2025-12-16
Institutions: European Commission, Joint Research Centre
Subjects: EU initiative, building industry, circular economy, competitiveness, digitisation, distribution of EU funding, housing policy, innovation, sustainable development, technical standard

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   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Strasbourg, 16.12.2025  COM(2025) 1027 final 2025/0412 (NLE)  Proposal for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on the New European Bauhaus  
 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

• 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

Reasons for and objectives of the proposal 

The  New  European  Bauhaus  (NEB)  aims  to  support  Europe’s  transition  towards  a  more 
inclusive and sustainable future by bringing tangible positive change on the ground. The NEB 
champions  sustainability,  resilience,  aesthetics,  inclusivity,  accessibility,  and  affordability 
through  an  evidence-based  approach,  building  on  Europe’s  rich  cultural  heritage  and 
diversity1, while strengthening clean industries and technologies of the future. As announced 
in its political guidelines for 2025 to 2029, the Commission will further develop the NEB and 
broaden its community.  

Both  the  European  Parliament2  and  EU  Member  States3  have  consistently  shown  strong 
support  for  the  NEB.  The  European  Economic  and  Social  Committee4  and  the  European 
Committee of the Regions5 have also issued positive opinions on the initiative. The NEB has 
generated  enthusiasm  at  grassroots  level  with  a  robust  membership-based  community  of 
almost  2 000  local  and  international  organisations  ranging  from  non-profits  and  cultural 
entities to public authorities and businesses, reaching millions of people. 

The  present  proposal  for  a  Council  Recommendation  as  well  as  a  Commission 
Communication on the NEB accompany the European Affordable Housing Plan alongside the 
European Strategy for Housing Construction and a revision of State aid rules on Services of 
General Economic Interest (SGEI). 

• 

Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area 

The NEB  connects the  clean transition  and sustainable competitiveness to our living  spaces 
and  experiences  and  contributes  to  the  achievement  of  several  initiatives  such  as  the  Clean 
Industrial  Deal,  the  Circular  Economy  agenda,  the  Water  Resilience  Strategy,  the  European 
Ocean  Pact,  and  the  EU  Bioeconomy  Strategy6.  In  addition,  it  contributes  to  the 
implementation  of  cohesion  policy  and  to  the  EU  strategic  framework  for  culture  (Culture 
Compass  for  Europe),  and  complements  the  Agenda  for  Cities,  the  European  Integrated 
Framework  for  Climate  Resilience  and  the  Union  of  Skills  and  European  Pillar  of  Social 
Rights. 

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More information on the NEB values and principles, is available in the NEB Compass. 
See  European  Parliament  resolution  of  14 September  2022  on  the  New  European  Bauhaus, 
2021/2255(INI). Additionally, the European Parliament has supported the initiative with a preparatory 
action (‘New European Bauhaus Knowledge Management Platform’) and a pilot project (‘Stimulating 
Local and Regional New European Bauhaus Grassroots Projects’). 
Council conclusions on culture, high-quality architecture and built environment as key elements of the 
New European Bauhaus initiative, 14534/21. 
See 
bauhaus. 
See https://web.cor.europa.eu/ea/News/Pages/CoR-members-adopt-McCarthy's-opinion-on-the-New-
European-Bauhaus.aspx. 
Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council,  the  European 
Economic  and  Social  Committee  and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions  A  Strategic  Framework  for  a 
Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy (COM/2025/960) 

https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions-information-reports/opinions/new-european-

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• 

Consistency with other Union policies 

Through its truly transdisciplinary, innovative and bottom-up approach, the NEB contributes 
to several Commission priorities. 

The NEB promotes a sustainable and competitive economy by driving decarbonisation in 
the  built  environment,  accelerating  the  move  towards  clean  and  cheaper  energy,  and 
promoting  circular  design  and  resilient  models  in  different  economic  sectors.  It  also 
encourages  innovation  and  skills  development  for  the  clean  transition,  inspiring 
sustainable practices globally, including for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. It strengthens 
Europe’s social model by e.g. addressing housing affordability and improving our quality of 
life and it helps to protect Europe’s cultural heritage. By putting people and stakeholders front 
and  centre  of  change  through  participation  and  co-creation,  the  NEB  promotes  a  culture  of 
creativity, inclusion and dialogue that ultimately strengthens  trust in democratic processes 
and  European  values  also  ensuring  that  the  produced  outcomes  are  fit  for  the  realities  and 
demands of society and stakeholders. 

2. 

• 

LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY 

Legal basis 

The proposal for a Council Recommendation is based on Article 292 TFEU, which empowers 
the Council to adopt recommendations following a proposal from the Commission. While the 
NEB  initiative  itself  is  founded  on  three  inseparable  values-  sustainability,  inclusivity,  and 
aesthetics - this Recommendation is centred on the clean transition. 

Article 192 TFEU offers the legislative framework for achieving environmental objectives, it 
is also aligned with the intention of the NEB to bring the European Green Deal and the Clean 
Industrial  Deal  closer  to  people.  The  focus  on  sustainability  is  evident  throughout  the 
Recommendation,  emphasizing  sustainable  construction  practices,  energy  efficiency,  and 
resource management. These elements reflect the environmental goals outlined in Article 191 
TFEU, supporting the preservation and improvement of the quality of the environment.  

While  the  NEB  contributes  to  various  Union  objectives,  including  social  inclusion  and 
cultural heritage, as set out in Article 3 TEU, the strong emphasis on sustainability within all 
elements  contained in  this Recommendation  finds  a coherent  legal  foundation under Article 
192  TFEU.  This  focus  on  sustainability  facilitates  the  integration  of  NEB  values  into 
environmental  policy,  offering  non-binding  guidance  to  embed  these  principles  at  national 
and  local  levels,  thereby  advancing  the  Union's  overarching  environmental  goals  in  an 
inclusive way that takes the quality of experience of citizens into account. 

• 

Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)  

The proposal is in conformity with the principle of subsidiarity laid down in Article 5(3) TEU 
and  respects  Member  States’  competence.  The  challenges  the  NEB  addresses  (circularity, 
sustainability  and  innovation  for  the  built  environment;  empowering  citizens  through 
participatory  processes 
inclusive,  accessible  and  resilient 
neighbourhoods;  and  harnessing  the  transformative  power  of  education,  arts  and  culture  to 
boost creativity and innovation) are EU-wide and interconnected.  

to  strengthen  democratic, 

Delivering  on  these  objectives  depends  on  cross-border  enablers:  a  pan-European  NEB 
Community  and  grassroots  participation;  coordination  and  multilevel  governance  to  align 

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national,  regional  and  local  action  and  enable  peer  learning,  access  to  funding  and 
investments,  including  combining  EU,  national  and  private  sources,  as  well  as  a  shared 
knowledge and evidence base to measure impact and scale best practices. 

An  EU-level  recommendation  is  therefore  more  effective  than  isolated  national  action  as  it 
allows  for  coordination,  cross-fertilisation  and  policy  coherence  in  taking  forward  actions 
across Member States, in full respect of subsidiarity and national  contexts,  while benefiting 
from EU-level support, funding opportunities and peer learning. This initiative enables non-
binding  coordination  and  guidance  on  accelerating  NEB  mainstreaming  in  policies  and 
funding  instruments,  peer  learning,  replication  and  investment.  It  thus  helps  Member  States 
achieve  the  objectives  faster  and  more  efficiently  while  fully  respecting  their  competences 
and  the  role  of  regional  and  local  authorities.  In  line  with  the  principle  of  subsidiarity,  the 
NEB relies on Member States to tailor approaches to their governance systems and territorial 
realities,  ensuring  that  EU-level  support  complements  national  choices,  and  strengthens 
effective delivery on the ground. 

Coordination  and  multilevel  governance  of  the  NEB  initiative  is  centred  around  the  NEB 
National  Contact  Points  (NCPs)  established  by  Member  States,  who  advocate  enhanced 
coordination  across  governance  levels  and  sectors,  and  EU  coordinated  guidance  to  help 
sharing  good  practices  and  to  support  implementation  of  the  NEB  at  the  national  level  and 
local level.  

• 

Proportionality 

The proposal is in conformity with the principle of proportionality laid down in Article 5(4) of 
the TEU. Neither the content nor the form of this proposed Council Recommendation exceeds 
what  is  necessary  to  achieve  its  objectives.  The  actions  proposed  respect  Member  States’ 
practices and the diversity of systems across the EU. Any commitments by Member States are 
voluntary in nature, and each Member State remains free to decide on the approach to take to 
implement them. 

• 

Choice of the instrument 

A Council Recommendation (Article 292 TFEU) is the appropriate instrument for the Council 
to  invite  voluntary  commitments,  respecting  national  and  local  competences  in  the  built 
environment while providing a coherent EU-level framework. More prescriptive instruments 
would  be  disproportionate  to  the  coordination  and  facilitation  goals  and  risk  constraining 
diverse national and local contexts. This proposal for a Council Recommendation is adopted 
together  with  a  Commission  Communication  on the  NEB,  which  frames  the  context  for  the 
Recommendation  and  the  role  of  the  Member  States  in  the  NEB  governance.  The 
Communication  alone  would  however  not  be  sufficient  to  signal  the  specific  and  important 
role that Member States have in the future NEB actions to enable real transformative action 
on  the  ground.  As  a  legal  act,  while  non-binding,  a  Council  Recommendation  signals  the 
commitment of Member States to the measures included and provides a strong political basis 
for cooperation in this area, while fully respecting Member-State competence. 

3. 

• 

RESULTS 
CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS 

EX-POST 

EVALUATIONS, 

OF 

STAKEHOLDER 

Stakeholder consultations 

A  call  for  evidence  was  launched  on  19  September  2025  to  gather  feedback  on  both  a 
Commission Communication and the present proposal for a Council Recommendation on the 

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NEB. The call for evidence was made available in all official EU languages on the ‘Have your 
Say’  website  to  reach  a  wide  range  of  stakeholders  and  received  a  total  of  88  contributions 
from 24 countries, out of which 17 EU Member States. Most contributions were submitted by 
individuals  (21.5%,  both  EU  and  non-EU  citizens),  followed  by  Non-Governmental 
Organizations  (NGOs)  (17%)  and  public  authorities,  academic/research  institutions  and 
companies (all 12.5%).  

Contributions  highlighted  the  need  for  strengthening  the  capacity  of  local  governments  and 
municipalities with clear frameworks to support capacity-building and participatory design. A 
particular  focus  was  given  to  small  municipalities  in  rural  and  peripheral  areas.  Some 
contributions  also  emphasize  that  communication  and  visibility  for  the  NEB  could  still  be 
improved  to  make  the  NEB  more  accessible  and  understandable  to  the  public  and  local 
authorities.  Many  respondents  also  call  for  strengthening  the  cultural  and  educational 
dimension  by  supporting  artists,  designers,  and  creative  sectors  to  express  and  disseminate 
NEB values. Most respondents confirmed that the NEB should prioritize affordable housing 
solutions that are energy-efficient, climate-resilient and socially inclusive while encouraging 
renovation, vertical extension and the reuse of the existing building stock. Recurring feedback 
received  was  to  integrate  health  and  wellbeing  criteria  in  design  and  urban  policy,  such  as 
through  a  clearer  focus  on  indoor  air  quality,  ventilation  and  noise  reduction.  Multiple 
contributions  highlighted  the  need  for  urban  green  spaces  and  integrating  nature-based 
solutions  in  urban  infrastructure,  such  as  pocket  forests  and  green  roofs  and  walls.  Several 
contributors  especially  from  the  business  sector  also  supported  the  promotion  of  bio-based, 
circular, and low-carbon building materials, such as wood and gypsum. Multiple respondents, 
from civil society organisations as well as authorities, also called for the mainstreaming and 
embedding  of  NEB  values  and  principles  into  EU  and  national  urban  and  environmental 
policies.  Finally,  several  respondents  from  public  authorities  and  research  organisations 
highlighted the need for clear indicators and evaluation tools for assessing the effectiveness of 
NEB projects. 

In addition to the call for evidence, several targeted consultations took place with:  

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the Commission expert group for the New European Bauhaus Facility (26 September 
2025); 

the Green Cities Network (8 October 2025); 

the NEB Community (online workshop, 10 October 2025); 

the  European  Investment  Bank  (EIB)  and  the  European  Institute  of  Innovation  and 
Technology (EIT); 

Member  States  representatives,  in  particular:  the  NEB  National  Contact  Points 
(NCPs),  NEB  Horizon  Europe  R&I  National  Contact  Points,  the  Strategic 
Programme  Committee  for  Horizon  Europe,  the  environmental  attaches,  as  well  as 
managing authorities  responsible for implementing the NEB in  cohesion policy (25 
October  2025,  5  November  2025,  and  three  follow-up  targeted  sessions  on  3-4 
November 2025).  

• 

Impact assessment 

No impact assessment was carried out, given the complementary approach to Member State 
initiatives,  the  voluntary  nature  of  the  proposed  activities  and  the  scope  of  the  impacts 
expected.  The  development  of  the  proposal  was  informed  by  consistent  engagement  with 

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stakeholders  as  part  of  a  participatory  approach,  consultation  of  Member  States,  the  public 
consultation and numerous dedicated stakeholder consultations. 

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Fundamental rights 

The  proposed  Council  Recommendation  respects  the  fundamental  rights  of  the  EU.  It 
promotes  the  principles  recognized  by  the  Charter  of  Fundamental  Rights  of  the  European 
Union7, especially  environmental  protection, non-discrimination,  integration of persons with 
disabilities, education and good administration. 

4. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS 

While this initiative will not require additional resources from the EU budget, the measures in 
this Recommendation will mobilise sources of funding at EU, national and regional level. 

5. 

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OTHER ELEMENTS 

Explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal 

This  proposal  underscores  the  key  role  of  the  Member  States  in  contributing  to  the  NEB 
initiative,  emphasizing  the  importance  of  working  towards  more  sustainable,  inclusive,  and 
beautiful neighbourhoods and communities. For example, by promoting circular and climate-
friendly  construction  practices,  Member  States  can  significantly  reduce  the  environmental 
impact of buildings, aligning with EU-wide decarbonization goals. Encouraging community-
driven  solutions  and  participatory  processes  enhances  local  democracy  and  empowers 
citizens, strengthening social cohesion and trust in democratic institutions. 

The transformative power of education, arts, and culture is pivotal in driving innovation and 
sustainability.  By  integrating  NEB  values  into  cultural  initiatives  and  education  systems, 
Member States  can cultivate a culture of quality  architecture and design  that resonates with 
local communities and enriches their living environments. 

Enhancing  NEB-relevant  skills  through  targeted  education  and  training  programmes  equips 
individuals  with  the  necessary  expertise  to  implement  sustainable  practices  effectively  and 
develop  inclusive  environments  that  are  accessible  for  persons  with  disabilities  and  older 
persons.  Member  States  play  a  crucial  role  in  supporting  the  development  of  these  skills, 
ensuring the workforce is prepared for the future. 

Raising  awareness  and  expanding  the  NEB  Community  fosters  increased  engagement  and 
collaboration,  leveraging  diverse  perspectives  to  innovate  and  address  societal  challenges. 
Member  States  are  encouraged  to  harness  the  potential  of  experienced  NEB  practitioners  to 
inspire new projects and broaden the initiative's impact. 

for  scaling  up  NEB 
Facilitating  access 
projects. Optimising  existing  funding opportunities enables  NEB-aligned  projects  to  achieve 
tangible and transformative improvements in neighbourhoods and local communities. 

funding  and 

investments 

is  crucial 

to 

Knowledge  sharing  and  replication  of  successful  NEB  projects  enable  Member  States  to 
accelerate  the  transition  towards  sustainable  neighbourhoods  by  adopting  proven  blueprints 

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Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, pp. 389–405)  

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and  best  practices.  This  collaborative  approach  ensures  continuous  learning  and  adaptation 
across different regions. 

Finally,  effective  multilevel  governance,  with  a  central  role  for  NEB  NCPs,  ensures 
coordinated  action  at  national,  regional,  and  local  levels.  By  embracing  cross-sectoral 
governance  and  international  cooperation,  Member  States  can  maximise  the  NEB's  impact, 
contributing to a sustainable and more broadly positive vision of the future. 

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2025/0412 (NLE) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION 

on the New European Bauhaus 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  particular 
Articles 292 and 192 thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

Whereas: 

(1) The New European Bauhaus (NEB) aims to implement the clean transition and the Clean 
Industrial  Deal  via  tangible  projects  which  improve  daily  lives  through  solutions  which 
combine  sustainability  with  good  design,  inclusivity,  accessibility,  and  affordability, 
enhancing innovation in industrial ecosystems to unlock competitiveness, respecting and 
promoting  Europe's  diverse  places,  cultural  heritage  and  cultural  diversity.  By  fostering 
co-creation processes with  local  communities, stakeholders  and businesses, the initiative 
promotes  solutions  that  are  tailored  to  societal  needs  and  supported  by  a  broad  base  of 
citizens and can be replicated and scaled up in similar contexts across the EU. 

(2) In 2021, the European Commission adopted a Communication8 presenting the concept and 
objectives  of  the  NEB,  which  is  guided  by  three  inseparable  values  (sustainability, 
inclusiveness,  and  aesthetics)  and  three  principles  (multilevel  engagement,  participatory 
approach, and transdisciplinarity). 

(3) Both  the  European  Parliament9  and  the  EU  Member  States10  have  consistently  shown 
strong  support  for  the  NEB.  The  European  Economic  and  Social  Committee11  and  the 
European Committee of the Regions12 have also issued positive opinions on the initiative.  
(4) In  five  years,  the  NEB  built  a  robust  membership-based  community13  of  almost  2  000 
local  and  international  organisations  ranging  from  non-profits  and  cultural  entities  to 
public authorities and businesses. Over 700 projects have already been supported. Under 

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Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council,  the  European 
Economic  and  Social  Committee  and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions  New  European  Bauhaus, 
COM(2021) 573. 
See  European  Parliament  resolution  of  14 September  2022  on  the  new  European  Bauhaus, 
2021/2255(INI). Additionally, the European Parliament has supported the initiative with a preparatory 
action (‘New European Bauhaus Knowledge Management Platform’) and a pilot project (‘Stimulating 
Local and Regional New European Bauhaus Grassroots Projects’). 
See Council conclusions on culture, high-quality architecture and built environment as key elements of 
the New European Bauhaus initiative, 14534/21. 
See 
bauhaus. 
See 
European-Bauhaus.aspx. 
See Community is the core of New European Bauhaus - New European Bauhaus 

https://web.cor.europa.eu/ea/News/Pages/CoR-members-adopt-McCarthy's-opinion-on-the-New-

https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions-information-reports/opinions/new-european-

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the  2021-2027  Multiannual  Financial  Framework  (MFF)  EUR  1.4  billion  have  been 
devoted to the NEB. The bulk of the funding stems from cohesion policy (over EUR 840 
million)  and  Horizon  Europe  (over  EUR  530  million).  Other  EU  programmes  (LIFE, 
Single  Market  Programme,  Digital  Europe  and  COSME)  are  contributing  with  around 
EUR 26 million.  

(5) In the political guidelines for the European Commission 2024-202914, the NEB is part of 
the Commission’s overall objective of ‘Supporting people, strengthening our societies and 
our  social  model’,  with  the  goal  of  bringing  sustainability  together  with  inclusion  and 
affordability, and creativity with innovation. Enlarging the NEB Community would serve 
to advance this goal and make sure relevant stakeholders can contribute effectively. 

(6) The  values  and  principles  of  the  NEB  can  help  Europe’s  move  towards  a  more 
competitive and sustainable future. By embedding  the NEB values into existing national 
and  local  strategies  centred  around  the  built  environment,  Member  States  can  turn  the 
clean and digital transitions into tangible opportunities for citizens and businesses across 
Europe. By strengthening innovation,  industrial  excellence  and skills,  the NEB can help 
create resilient value chains and high-quality jobs across Europe, ensuring that the clean 
transition  reinforces  Europe’s  global  competitiveness.  However,  such  integration  and 
mainstreaming are currently unequal across the Union, leading to uneven opportunities for 
stakeholders and authorities, in particular at the local level. Member States can build on 
existing  good  practices  of  multilevel  and  cross-sectoral  governance.  Mainstreaming  the 
NEB values and principles into all relevant policies and funding instruments  at national, 
regional  and  local  level  is  necessary  to  support  the  transformative  regeneration  of 
neighbourhoods  and  strengthen  their  social  fabric,  and  to  promote  those  values  and 
principles for the built environment and relevant sectors.  

(7) Member States have a range of tools at their disposal to embed NEB values and principles 
that  promote  a  sustainable,  inclusive,  accessible  and  affordable  built  environment,  into 
their  National  Buildings  Renovation  Plans,  Territorial  Just  Transition  Plans,  Social 
Climate  Plans  and  other  national  or  EU  plans  and  strategies15.  Those  could  be  used  to 
support  mainstreaming  and  integration  of  the  NEB  objectives,  through  an  integrated 
approach, and to promote synergies between different goals such as energy efficiency and 
decarbonisation,  climate  resilience,  water  resilience,  affordability,  sustainability  and 
accessibility, particularly in the context of neighbourhood regeneration. 

(8) There  is  a  strong  opportunity  for  a  more  efficient  use  of  resources  within  the  built 
environment. Currently, construction, use and renovation of buildings require significant 
amounts  of  energy  and  mineral  resources,  accounting  for  42%  of  the  total  energy 
consumption, 35% of greenhouse gas emissions, 50% of all material extraction, and 35% 
of  the  EU’s  total  waste  generation16.  These  activities  also  contribute  to  water 
consumption,  and exacerbate air, water  and soil pollution, noise pollution, land use,  soil 
sealing and urban sprawl. 

(9) To reach its 2050 climate neutrality target, the EU adopted several legal acts to reduce the 
environmental  and  climate  footprint  of  buildings  throughout  their  life  cycle.  Those  are 
complemented  by  a  variety  of  non-legislative  policy  initiatives  ranging  from  calculation 
methodologies and tools to industry pathways, plans, strategies and funding, including on 

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See Priorities 2024-2029 - European Commission 
Such  as  Climate  City  Contracts  (Cities  Mission),  SECAPs  (Covenant  of  Mayors),  Local  Heating  and 
Cooling Plans (Directive (EU) 2023/1791). 
See EEA report ‘Addressing the environmental and climate footprint of buildings’, 2024. 

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‘Supporting life-cycle approaches to decarbonise European buildings’, to be published by 
the Commission in January 2026, the common framework of core sustainability indicators 
for office and residential buildings17, or rules on alignment of EU budget expenditure with 
do  no  significant  harm  criteria18.  These  and  the  EU  Bioeconomy  Strategy19  help 
overcoming  barriers  to  market  entry  and  support  the  creation  of  lead-markets  for  low-
carbon,  circular,  clean  and  biobased  building  materials  and  clean  technologies,  thus 
supporting  sustainable  business  models,  sustainable  and  resilient  industrial  ecosystems, 
jobs and value creation in the EU. 

(10)  NEB projects enhance the competitive and innovative edge of the construction, water 
and  bioeconomy  industries  through  the  prototyping  and  upscaling  of  technologies  for 
decarbonised  circular  and  nature-positive  design,  the  optimisation  of  construction 
methods,  addressing  standards  and  reducing  costs  to  create  markets  for  innovative 
materials, thus supporting resource-efficient,  cost-effective, and innovative growth while 
ensuring a sustainable use of limited natural resources. 

(11)  A  more  efficient  use  of  the  built  environment  -  buildings,  urban  landscapes,  public 
spaces,  green  spaces  -  will  support  the  adaptation  of  the  existing  building  stock  to 
people’s needs in terms of space and accessibility, while respecting planetary boundaries. 
Prioritising  the  efficient  use  of  built  space  through  renovation  or  refurbishment20  over 
demolition and new construction, as well as new social practices, represent a considerable 
potential to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the building stock21, deliver 
affordable  and  sustainable  housing  for  all,  slowing  down  urban  sprawl  and  soil  sealing, 
fostering social cohesion and acceptance while protecting cultural heritage. 

(12)  Local communities are at the forefront of the negative impacts of climate hazards and 
environmental  degradation,  such  as  the  increased  frequency  and  intensity  of  heatwaves, 
floods,  wildfires  or  earthquakes,  which  are  exacerbated  by  the  interaction  with  other 
drivers such  as poor  air, water  and soil quality or soil sealing.  Between  2011 and 2021, 
there was an increase of over 935 000 people in Europe living in potential riverine flood-
prone areas.22  In the period 2017-2019, on average 119 000 people per year in the EEA 
countries  and  the  UK  lived  in  areas  assessed  as  burnt  by  wildfires.23  To  support  local 
resilience and crisis preparedness, standards on adapting buildings to climate change24 as 
well as on flood and wildfire prevention, green areas,  urban ecosystem restoration could 
be  integrated  into  regulatory  and  financial  tools  as  well  as  in  related  trainings  and 
education25. 

(13)  Green-blue infrastructures are crucial for climate adaptation, biodiversity,  and public 
health. Reallocation and redesign of urban public space in line with the NEB  values can 

17 
18 

19 

20 

21 

22 
23 
24 
25 

See Level(s). 
See DNSH technical guidance to the SCF - European Commission. and the EU Taxonomy Regulation 
and its delegated acts include provisions aiming to reduce buildings’ environmental footprint. 
Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council,  the  European 
Economic  and  Social  Committee  and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions  A  Strategic  Framework  for  a 
Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy (COM/2025/960) 
‘Refurbishment’  includes  changes  of  space  plan  or  of  function  to  new  use,  not  typically  covered  by 
renovation, in line with the standards set the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). 
Based on Commission studies:  Conversion of offices into affordable housing, Sufficiency in the built 
sector and on a more efficient use of the building stock (results mid-2027). 
See EEA report on Europe’s Environment, 2025 
Ibidem 
See EU-level technical guidance on adapting buildings to climate change  
See Handbook on urban greening strategies and nature plans (2025). 

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be  supported  by  integrated  urban  mobility  concepts  (e.g.  SUMPS)  that  enable  these 
transformations  while  maintaining  accessibility  to  jobs,  services  and  amenities.  Streets 
and public spaces allow social interaction, well-being, and climate action rather than being 
merely transit corridors.  

(14)  EU  policies  include  specific  measures  and  tools  to  protect  disadvantaged  groups,  in 
particular  related  to  energy  and  mobility  poverty,  air  pollution,  access  to  clean  drinking 
water and sanitation. The NEB projects contribute to environmental and climate fairness 
while  also  strengthening  social  inclusion,  intergenerational  fairness,  gender  equality  and 
crime prevention, including gender-based violence.  

(15)  Participation  is  a  founding  principle  of  the  NEB.  Its  projects,  funding,  digital  tools, 
and capacity building are good examples of the promotion, incentivisation and support for 
participation and local democracy policies and practices, in particular on spatial and urban 
design and the transformation of neighbourhoods. 

(16)  Participation  in  urban  development  processes  presents  a  significant  opportunity  both 
for  communities  and  for  project  developers.  Genuine  involvement  of  citizens,  including 
those who are energy poor or  otherwise disadvantaged, in  the design  and governance of 
projects  builds  trust,  preserves  democratic  accountability,  and  strengthens  the  social 
fabric.  Such  engagement,  through  citizen  assemblies  and  co-design  workshops,  anchors 
projects in local realities and prevents tokenism, fostering resilient and inclusive societies. 
For  project  developers,  this  community  and  stakeholder  buy-in  can  lead  to  expedited 
permitting  processes,  smoother  project  implementation  and  ultimately  community 
acceptance and lower risks.  

(17)  By  leveraging  digital  tools  like  the  EU  Local  Digital  Twins  Toolbox,  advanced 
artificial intelligence (AI) models for reconstruction, digital building logbooks and digital 
pre-demolition  audits,  public  involvement  in  decision-making  and  policy  development 
becomes  more  transparent,  efficient,  and  responsive.  Strengthening  the  operational 
capacities  of  authorities  through  existing  resources  and  platforms,  such  as  peer-to-peer 
learning  opportunities  and  technical  support,  ensures  effective  guidance  and  support  in 
implementing  the  NEB  values  and  principles,  fostering  community-driven  solutions  and 
enhancing societal resilience. 

(18)  Lack  of  skills  in  the  construction  sector,  notably  for  circular  and  sustainable 
construction,  is  a  major  issue  for  the  construction  industry.  In  2022,  the  Commission 
launched  the  NEB  Academy  on  skills  for  sustainable  construction  to  contribute  to  a 
broader  effort  to  accelerate  the  upskilling  and  reskilling  of  workers  in  the  construction 
ecosystem  and  support  its  clean  transition.  The  Commission  will  scale  up  the  NEB 
Academy  and  develop  it  into  the  core  infrastructure  for  the  NEB  for  knowledge  and 
research,  safe  experimentation  and  innovation,  and  skills  development.  The  NEB 
Academy  will also provide a dynamic link to  ensure that all knowledge  produced under 
the  NEB  Facility  R&I  is  channelled  towards  skilling  activities,  capacity-building  and 
applied  innovation.  The  NEB  Academy  will  develop  a  NEB  Investment  Accelerator  to 
attract and facilitate allocation of private and blended funding to innovative NEB projects.  

(19)  The Davos Declaration ‘Towards a high-quality Baukultur for Europe’ acknowledges 
the  cultural  aspects  of  preservation,  planning  and  building  and  established  high-
quality Baukultur (culture of architecture) as a political priority. The Council Conclusions 
on  culture,  high-quality  architecture  and  built  environment  as  key  elements  of  the  New 
European  Bauhaus  initiative  adopted  on  29-30  November  2021  invited  Member  States 
and the Commission to promote a culture-led, quality-driven and participatory approach to 

EN 

10 

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the  built  environment  and  to  apply  high-quality  standards  in  planning,  design,  building, 
conservation, restoration, renovation and adaptive reuse processes. 

(20)  NEB  projects  show 

in 

that  embedding  artists 

technological  and  scientific 
environments sparks paradigm-shifting collaborations leading to innovation and concrete 
outputs. The Commission Communication on a Culture Compass for Europe adopted on 
12  November  2025  acknowledges  the  importance  of  promoting  a  shared  culture  of 
architecture  and  design  and  to  invest  in  a  high-quality  living  environment  for  everyone 
through  initiatives  like  the  NEB.  While  the  role  of  artists  and  cultural  professionals  as 
change-makers and innovators is essential to translate and implement NEB values on the 
ground, their mobilisation and access to funding are still insufficient, especially for small 
players,  to  fully  harness  the  potential  of  their  visions  and  their  creative  approaches. 
Breaking the silos among cultural and creative sectors as well as between art, science and 
technology is also a challenge that still needs to be addressed by creating and supporting 
more transdisciplinary collaboration opportunities. 

(21)  As of 2025, the NEB has its own funding instrument anchored in Horizon Europe, the 
NEB  Facility,  designed  to  increase  impact,  transparency,  and  simplify  access  for 
applicants.  The  NEB  Facility  operates  until  2027  providing  financial  support  and  a 
strategic framework to achieve the NEB objectives. The NEB Facility Roadmap, outlines 
the  foreseen  actions  and  strategic  directions  between  2025  and  202726. A  Research  and 
Innovation  component  is  endowed  with  an  annual  budget  of  approximately  EUR  120 
million  from  Horizon  Europe.  A  complementary  Roll-out  component,  focussing  on 
deployment and technical assistance, is expected to leverage a similar level of investment 
and  will  be  supported  from  other  EU  programmes,  as  well  as  by  Member  States  and 
private  sources. Member  States  are  already  embracing  the  NEB  values  and  principles  in 
their funding programmes in diverse ways, reflecting their unique contexts, heritage, and 
community  spirit.  All  Member  States  have  included  the  NEB  in  at  least  one  of  their 
cohesion policy programmes for 2021–2027. Ensuring sustainable funding for the NEB in 
the long term is vital, in particular in the context of the transition to the next MFF. 

(22)  Transformative  projects  need  to  also  attract  private  funding.  In  2024,  the  NEB 
Investment Guidelines were developed to help investors align their projects with the NEB 
values  and  principles  to  transform  Europe's built  environment.  The  Guidelines  were 
developed in  close cooperation between the European Commission  and  Joint Assistance 
to  Support  Projects  in  European  Regions  (JASPERS).  With  the  support  of  a  European 
Parliament  pilot  project27,  and  building  on  the  experience  of  initiatives  such  as  the 
Business Acceleration Services of the EIC - the EIC marketplace and the Horizon Results 
Platform  -  the  Commission  will  launch  an  Advisory  Hub,  an  interactive  platform  to 
facilitate  the  matchmaking  between  small  projects  looking  for  access  to  financing  and 
social  economy  investors,  philanthropy  organisations,  and  other  private  and  public 
investors. The EU Taxonomy28 also helps investors identify environmentally sustainable 
construction and renovation projects. 

26 

27 
28 

The  Roadmap  details  the  budget,  governance,  and  key  measures  and  provides  guidance  by  outlining 
how the Commission, in close collaboration with Member States and NEB stakeholders, will implement 
the NEB Facility. 
‘Stimulating Local and Regional New European Bauhaus Grassroots Projects’ 
Regulation  (EU)  2020/852  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  18  June  2020  on  the 
establishment  of  a  framework  to  facilitate  sustainable  investment,  and  amending  Regulation  (EU) 
2019/2088 (OJ L 198, 22.6.2020, pp. 13–43, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/852/oj). 

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(23)  The NEB Compass29 is the guiding framework on how to apply the NEB values and 
principles  in  practice.  A  NEB  Hub  for  Results  and  Impact30  has  been  established  to 
collect, analyse, and distil the lessons learned, as well as tools and knowledge generated 
by the NEB. A NEB self-assessment method31 was developed for project developers and 
decision  makers  to  facilitate  their  self-assessment  on  the  performance  of  the  project  in 
terms  of  NEB  values.  The  Commission  will  also  establish  key  performance  indicators 
(KPIs)  for  measuring  the  transformational  impact  of  NEB  projects  and  will  develop  a 
NEB Label to increase visibility for NEB projects, to support Member States in promoting 
NEB  projects  and  practices  and  to  facilitate  market  integration  by  providing  a 
standardised  framework  and  criteria  across  Member  States.  The  coherent  use  of  those 
tools  by  Member  States  would  reduce  fragmentation  and  promote  consistency  in 
implementation,  enhancing  competitiveness  within  the  internal  market  as  well  as 
dissemination  of  scalable  and  replicable  solutions  across  Europe  through  cross-country 
inspiration and sharing of good practices.  

(24)  Together  with  the  NEB  Community,  the  European  Commission  has  developed 
supporting  structures that  foster engagement and  collaboration. NEB Local  Chapters are 
self-organised,  place-based  groups  of  NEB  Community  members  that  contribute  to  the 
delivery  of  NEB  in  local  environments.  NEB  Labs  are  ‘think-and-do  tanks’  of  the 
initiative,  set  up  by  Community  members  to  co-create,  prototype  and  test  the  tools, 
solutions.  New  Labs  are  being  created  to  address  priority  issues,  and  a  NEB  Lab  on 
affordable housing will be set up to collect best practices on innovative methods such as 
offsite  constructions  or  additive  manufacturing,  densification  and  housing  solutions  for 
disadvantaged groups, or innovative accessibility adaptations. The European Commission 
will set up a European Housing Alliance as a hub for cooperation, mutual learning and the 
exchange of best practices bringing together all levels of government. This Alliance will 
foster  synergies  with  NEB  practitioners  and  NEB  Community  members,  including  the 
NEB Lab on Housing. 

(25)  Coordination  and  multilevel  governance  of  the  NEB  have  been  evolving  in  tandem 
with the initiative itself. In 2021, Member States established NEB National Contact Points 
(NCPs), to implement the NEB at the national level and coordinate cross relevant areas. 
With the creation of the NEB Facility, which is anchored in Horizon Europe32, NEB R&I 
NCPs were also established. Both networks are key in the preparation and implementation 
of  the  NEB  Facility,  addressing  together  both  its  R&I  and  Roll-out  components.  A 
dedicated  network  to  support  managing  authorities  implementing  the  NEB  in  cohesion 
policy33 was also established. However, more coordination and synergies need to develop 
between the different networks, to ensure coherence and impact.  

29 
30 

31 
32 

33 

See https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/tools-and-resources/use-compass_en  
Implemented  through  the  topic  ’HORIZON-MISS-2024-NEB-01-03:  Setting  up  a  New  European  Bauhaus 
hub  for  results  and  impact‘  and  the  follow  up  action  ’NEB  Hub  –  Phase  II:  advancing  impact,  knowledge 
management and monitoring of results’, the later in the Horizon Europe ‘main‘ Work Programme 2026-2027, 
Annex 13 - New European Bauhaus Facility.  
See https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/tools-and-resources/neb-self-assessment-method_en  
See  Annex  13  to  Commission  Implementing  Decision  on  the  financing  of  the  Specific  Programme 
implementing  Horizon  Europe  and  the  adoption  of  the  work  programme  for  2025-2027  (‘Work 
Programme  2025’)  and  amending  Implementing  Decision  C(2022)7550  on  the  adoption  of  the  work 
programme  for  2023-2024  within  the  framework  of  the  Specific  Programme  implementing  Horizon 
Europe - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and on its financing (C(2025) 2779); 
The NEB Peer2Peer (P2P) Community facilitates the exchange of best practices and knowledge on the 
NEB  among  Managing  Authorities  and  other  relevant  bodies:  https://futurium.ec.europa.eu/en/regio-
peer-2-peer-communities/new-european-bauhaus  

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12 

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(26)  The  NEB  is  also  inspiring  third  countries,  and  more  international  collaborations  can 
foster  exchanges  of  knowledge  and  good  practices.  The  Commission  and  the  EU 
Delegations in third countries are cooperating to promote the NEB approach outside the 
EU, notably through the establishment of NEB Academy Hubs outside the EU. The NEB 
has provided in particular support for Ukraine’s sustainable and inclusive reconstruction. 
Through  EU  programmes  such  as  LIFE,  Horizon  Europe,  and  Interreg,  the  NEB  has 
enabled projects like the circular renovation of panelka buildings in Chernihiv, sustainable 
land use initiatives  under Interreg Danube, and green urban restoration in  the Black Sea 
Basin. NEB Labs and Prizes are fostering innovation and co-creation, including the Future 
School for Ukraine and Public Infrastructure Lab. Ukrainian stakeholders and authorities 
have  shown  an  increasing  interest  in  adopting  a  NEB  approach  for  their  reconstruction 
initiatives, and more efforts should be made to support them. Additional support from the 
Commission and the EU Member States would allow them to accelerate their sustainable 
and inclusive reconstruction, together with local communities. 

(27)  The Commission will monitor the progress on the NEB through the regular meetings 
with  Member  States  representatives,  in  particular  the  NEB  NCPs.  The  Commission 
intends to support Member States in implementing the NEB at the national level and has 
announced  supporting  actions  and  future  priorities  in  the  Commission  Communication 
adopted  on  16  December  202534.  The  NEB  translates  these  priorities  into  tangible 
improvements  in  daily  living,  supporting  better  neighbourhood  design,  healthier 
environments and more inclusive public spaces. 

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION  

1. 

(a) 

(b) 

MAINSTREAM NEB VALUES AND PRINCIPLES  

It is recommended that Member States, at the appropriate levels of competence and 
in respect of the subsidiarity principle, embed the New European Bauhaus (NEB) 
values and principles in their relevant policies and funding instruments linked to 
neighbourhoods and the wider built environment. Building on the lessons learnt from 
successful  projects,  initiatives  and  governance  structures,  Member  States  are 
encouraged  to  take  a  strategic  approach  to  the  NEB  at  national,  local  and  regional 
levels,  identifying  all  the  relevant  policies  and  funding  instruments  which  can 
support  the  NEB  mainstreaming  in  their  Member  States,  as  well  as  the  relevant 
actors and networks who should be involved; 

Member  States  are  encouraged  to  use  and  promote  the  supporting  tools  provided 
through the NEB Academy as well as the NEB Label to foster affordable, sustainable 
and  high-quality  transformation  of  the  built  environment  and  other  sectors,  with  a 
view  to  promote  increasing  harmonisation  of  methods,  practices  and  innovative 
approaches across Europe. 

34 

 Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council,  the  European 
Economic  and  Social  Committee  and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions  on  the  New  European  Bauhaus: 
From vision to implementation (COM (2025)1026) 

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13 

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2. 

ENHANCE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 

It is recommended that Member States: 

(a) 

Promote  a  clean,  circular,  climate-neutral  and  resilient,  energy  and  water  efficient 
built environment and thereby support affordable and sustainable housing, by: 

(1)  Considering  using  public  procurement  to  promote  sustainable,  circular  and 

socially fair renovation and construction of buildings; 

(2)  Applying a whole-life carbon approach to the construction and renovation 
of  buildings,  as  per  the  guidance  to  be  provided  by  the  Commission, 
supporting  measures35  to  effectively  reduce  the  whole  life-cycle  carbon 
emissions  from  the  building  sector  via  a  harmonised  Union  framework  and 
methodology36; 

(3) 

In their National Building Renovation Plans and relevant national, regional and 
local  strategies  relating 
to  buildings,  prioritising  energy  and  water 
performance,  affordability  and  sustainability,  addressing  in  particular 
disadvantaged households.  

(4)  Promoting  that  new  buildings,  as  well  as  those  undergoing  major  renovation, 
are  designed  and  prepared  for  smart  measurement  and  management  of 
water  and  electricity  to  ensure  water  savings37  as  well  as  reduction  in 
operational  costs  for  buildings,  as  well  as  electric  vehicle  charging 
possibilities; 

(5)  Reviewing  how  incentives  could  promote  water  resilience  and  water 
efficiency  and  ensure  further  circular  use  of  resources  across  the  built 
environment.  

(b) 

Develop solutions to unlock the untapped potential of a competitive and sustainable 
bioeconomy  industry,  supporting  market  acceptance  and  uptake  and  the  smooth 
functioning  of the  internal  market  for job  creation and growth,  in  particular for the 
built environment and textiles, as set out in the EU Bioeconomy Strategy. 

(1)  Reviewing  how  markets  and  taxes  provide  appropriate  incentives  for 
sustainable  production  and  consumption  to  support  an  appropriate  shift  from 
using fossil based to circular bio-based materials and clean resources; 

(2)  Assessing  how  and  whether  public  procurement  is  used  to  create  market 
opportunities  to  support  bio-based  constructions  and  clean  technologies  and 
resources, in line with ongoing EU efforts on simplification and streamlining38; 

(3) 

Identifying  and  addressing  regulatory  barriers  and  other  obstacles  to 
market entry for innovative construction methods and materials such as low-
carbon  and  bio-based  materials,  offsite  construction  and  additive 
manufacturing in construction, and informing the European Commission about 
market  fragmentation  caused  by  divergent  national  rules  and  interpretations 

35 
36 

37 
38 

See Recital 11 for example of such measures. 
See  Commission  delegated  regulation  (EU)  2025/xxxx  amending  Annex  III  to  Directive  (EU) 
2024/1275 on the Union framework for the national calculation of life-cycle global warming potential. 
C(2025) 8723 - PE/2025/8966 
In line with the Commission Recommendation on guiding principles of water efficiency first. 
In the context of the ongoing review of EU public procurement directives, legislative proposal foreseen 
for mid-2026.  

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14 

  EN 

 
and  conflicting  EU  rules  through  the  European  Bioeconomy  Regulators’  and 
Innovators’ Forum and the High Level Construction Forum;  

(c) 

Prioritise  and  incentivise  an  efficient  use  of  the  built  environment  in  spatial 
planning  and  development  decisions,  with  a  view  to  promoting  social  and 
affordable housing, preventing spatial segregation and promoting the revitalisation of 
neighbourhoods, including in rural areas, in particular by: 

(1)  Mapping  vacant buildings  and  their suitability  for  sufficiency measures  and 
making this information available to competent authorities and to the actors of 
the building  sector;  Incentivising the transformation  of vacant buildings into 
affordable,  sustainable  and  quality  housing,  using  renovations,  extensions, 
refurbishing, changes of use, or adapting built spaces to the evolving needs of 
households;  explore  the  underused  housing  potential  in  rural  neighbourhoods 
through measures to develop their accessibility and connectivity; 

(2)  Streamlining,  simplifying  and  accelerating  zoning  and  building  permitting 
procedures  in  particular  for  renovation,  vertical  extension  and  sustainable 
refurbishment of buildings which can increase housing supply; 

(3)  Facilitate  the  development  of  NEB  good  practices  and  blueprints,  such  as 
those on resilient housing that the Commission will develop through a digital 
Catalogue; 

(d) 

Advance  the  NEB  values  and  principles  to  strengthen  neighbourhoods  and 
communities’ crisis preparedness  and resilience to health risks and natural disasters 
caused by climate change and environmental degradation, in particular by:  

(1)  Systematically  integrating  nature-based  solutions,  nature  restoration  and 
water  resilience,  disaster-  and  crisis  prevention  and  preparedness,  in 
particular  measures  on  wildfire,  water,  flood  risks  and  urban  canopy 
management  as  well  as  on  the  sustainable  recovery  of  affected  areas  into 
spatial  design,  as  well  as  promoting  them  through  capacity  building  with  all 
competent  authorities  and  through  training  modules  for  relevant  degrees  and 
vocational training;  

(2)  Promoting the assessment of the distribution of urban green space and tree 
canopy cover in the different cities and towns, looking at how future planned 
development  will  actively  integrate  urban  green  space  into  buildings  and 
infrastructure in  different  localities and regions and help  mitigate  the impacts 
of climate change.  

(3)  Promoting NEB Local Chapters with local authorities and relevant actors 
to  strengthen  neighbourhoods’  resilience,  increase  communities’  awareness 
and  co-design  community  led  solutions,  including  by  exploiting  digital  and 
scientific tools – such as scenario-based analysis; 

(4)  Consulting with relevant stakeholders, including insurers, in view of reviewing 
practices  based  on  the  ‘build  back  the  same’-principle  to  reflect  changing 
climate conditions; 

(5)  Exploring  measures  in  financing  tools  to  help  alleviate  negative  health 
impacts  caused  by  climate  change  and  environmental  degradation, 
including heat exposure, air pollution, noise, and lack of access to green areas, 
paying  special  attention  to  the  disproportionate  exposure  of  sensitive 
populations and disadvantaged groups. 

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(e) 

Incentivise  the  use  of  digital  solutions  for  circularity  and  energy  efficiency  for  a 
competitive clean transition, in particular: 

(1)  Promoting the implementation of tools such as the Digital Product Passport, 
Energy  Performance  Certificates,  digital  building  permits,  digital  building 
logbooks,  digital  pre-demolition  audits  and  other  digital  solutions  for  carbon 
lifecycle  tracking  and  fostering  shared  digital  infrastructures  and  tools 
supporting  data-driven  decision-making  smart  urban  planning,  energy, 
mobility and water management, in synergy with the Digital Decade Policy 
Programme; 

(2)  Promoting  digital  by  design  principles 

include  accessibility, 
interoperability,  energy-  and  water-efficient  ICT  in  urban  planning,  also 
toolbox  with  model-based 
through  a  digital 
supporting  simplification 
permitting, rule-as-code compliance, and once-only reporting. 

that 

3. 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

ENHANCE PARTICIPATION, LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND DIGITAL CO-DESIGN TOOLS IN 
SUSTAINABLE URBAN AND NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT  

It is recommended that Member States: 
Build on the NEB Hub for results and impact39 to progressively integrate the results 
of NEB projects to user perspectives in the spatial design and/or transformation 
of  public  spaces  and 
to  support  and  promote  energy  and  water-aware 
communities,  citizen-led  renovation  and  clean  energy  sharing  initiatives, 
empowering local actors and fostering inclusive, community-driven solutions; 

Promote NEB projects and policy practices for enhancing local democracy, inclusion 
and participation in urban planning and neighbourhood development, by supporting 
innovative  approaches  to  community  engagement  at  the  level  of  neighbourhoods, 
thereby contributing to implementing the Democracy Shield on the ground; 

Consult  and  engage  persons  with  disabilities  and  older  people,  to  support 
independent living and inclusion in the community and solutions that are accessible 
by design; 

Promote  the  meaningful  involvement  of  women  and  the  integration  of  a  gender-
sensitive  approach  to  the  design  and  development  of  public  spaces  and 
neighbourhoods, with the aim of inclusive and safe environments.  

Strengthen  the  operational  capacities  of  relevant  authorities  to  provide  effective 
guidance and support for learning about the values and principles of the NEB, how to 
use NEB tools and guidance on NEB funding instruments. To this end, make use of 
existing opportunities offered by the European Commission, such as: 

(1)  

(2) 

the EU Local Digital Twins Toolbox and ‘Local Digital for Reconstruction’ 
solutions;  
the Technical Support Instrument (TSI)40;  

39 

40 

Implemented  through  the  topic  ’HORIZON-MISS-2024-NEB-01-03:  Setting  up  a  New  European 
Bauhaus hub for results and impact‘ and the follow up action ’NEB Hub – Phase II: advancing impact, 
knowledge  management  and  monitoring  of  results’,  the  later  in  the  Horizon  Europe  ‘main‘  Work 
Programme 2026-2027, Annex 13 - New European Bauhaus Facility. 
See Technical Support Instrument (TSI) 

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(3) 

the Public Administration Cooperation Exchange (PACE)41; 

(4)  

peer-to-peer learning opportunities offered by:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

Cohesion policy, particularly under the REGIO P2P NEB Community, 
to  exchange  good  practices  and  knowledge  on  NEB  among  Managing 
Authorities and other relevant bodies and encourage further investments 
on NEB under the 2021-2027 cohesion policy programmes;  

The  capacity  building  strand  of  the  European  Urban  Initiative, 
supporting  both  cities  and  managing  authorities  in  mainstreaming  NEB 
values and principles within sustainable urban development strategies; 

The action ‘Contributing to the implementation of the NEB Facility with 
the support of  Horizon  Europe New  European  Bauhaus R&I and New 
European Bauhaus National Contact Points’42; 

The  EU  Competence  Centre  on  Participatory  and  Deliberative 
Democracy43 and its related network of national reference centres. 

HARNESS  THE  TRANSFORMATIVE  POWER  OF  EDUCATION,  ARTS  AND  CULTURE  FOR 
THE CLEAN TRANSITION  

It is recommended that Member States: 

Acknowledge and support cultural participation and the contribution of artists, 
creative professionals and culture-led experiments as a driver for innovation, local 
development  and  out-of-the-box  thinking  to  drive  the  clean  transition  (in  line  with 
the  Culture  Compass  for  Europe),  and  better  promote  NEB  opportunities  among 
cultural and creative sectors;  

Support the Commission proposal to strengthen the European Capitals of Culture 
in a way that synergises with the values and principles of the NEB. Fully implement 
the  commitments  from  the  2018  Davos  Declaration  ‘Towards  a  high-quality 
Baukultur for Europe’44 to embed the cultural aspects of preservation, planning and 
building in relevant national strategies. Follow up on the 2021 Council conclusions 
on  ‘culture,  high-quality  architecture  and  built  environment  as  key  elements  of  the 
New European Bauhaus initiative’ by integrating NEB values and principles into 
national policies governing architecture and the built environment; 

Foster  and,  where  necessary,  recover  traditional  knowledge  and  skills  in 
craftsmanship,  especially  in  valorising  cultural  heritage  buildings,  and  inspire 
innovations that can bridge past and present technologies and engage the cultural and 
creative sectors; 

Promote the NEB Route within DiscoverEU; 

Support educational programmes and curricula embedding the NEB values and 
principles in schools and higher education institutions.  

See TSI 2026 - PACE - Public Administration Cooperation Exchange - Reform Support 
Horizon Europe ’main‘ Work Programme 2026-2027, Annex 13 – New European Bauhaus Facility. 
EU Competence Centre on Participatory and Deliberative Democracy 
See https://davosdeclaration2018.ch/en/  

4. 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

41 
42 
43 
44 

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5. 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

IMPROVE KNOWLEDGE,  INNOVATION CAPACITIES AND SKILLS  THROUGH THE NEB 
ACADEMY TOOLS AND INITIATIVES 

Member States are encouraged to: 

Promote and  facilitate the uptake of knowledge, innovation tools and education 
and  training  programmes  developed  through  the  NEB  Academy  to  support  the 
transition  to  a  sustainable  construction  ecosystem  and  clean  solutions  as  well  as 
putting in place new NEB Academy Hubs and expanding existing ones, with a view 
to develop hubs presence in all Member States; 

Promote NEB research collaboration among students in diverse fields relevant to 
the  built  and  natural  environments  including  architecture,  engineering,  and 
planning.  

Support  the  Commission  in  mapping  NEB  projects  implemented  through 
different  EU,  national  or  regional  funding  instruments  -  including  those  under 
shared management - and in sharing good practices and support the Commission in 
developing  KPIs  for  measuring  the  transformational  impact  of  NEB  projects  and 
their  benefits  for  sustainable  growth  and  prosperity  and  integrate  them  where 
relevant in their policies and activities;  

Integrate the NEB values and principles in  the development  and implementation of 
the national and regional strategies addressing skills gaps, as well as in the Large-
Scale  and  Regional  Skills  Partnerships  under  the  Pact  for  skills,  in  particular  the 
Construction Large-Scale Partnership; 

Support  and  promote  NEB-relevant  vocational  education  and  training  (VET)  as 
well as reskilling and upskilling programmes, notably those developed through the 
EIT and Erasmus+; 

6. 

RAISE AWARENESS AND ENGAGEMENT ON THE NEB AND ITS COMMUNITY 

Member States are encouraged to: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

Support projects that will be receiving a NEB Label to be developed and piloted by 
the  European  Commission,  including  through  advisory  services,  by  providing 
visibility and facilitating access to funding, and by recognising the NEB Label as a 
quality criterion within funding programmes and calls; 

Support  the  Commission  in  its  efforts  to  enlarge  and  diversify  the  NEB 
Community  and  engage  with  their  country’s  members  of  the  NEB  Community  to 
understand  and  support  their  needs  and  proposals,  create  synergies  including 
with  relevant  national  and  regional  activities,  also  by  raising  awareness  about  the 
NEB  initiative  and  its  opportunities  for  academia,  professionals,  industry,  civil 
society and public authorities; 

Develop,  where  possible,  national  NEB  prizes  or  NEB  categories  in  relevant 
national prizes in synergy with the EU NEB Prizes; 

Increase  awareness  and  encourage  participation  of  relevant  stakeholders  in  the 
Member States in the biennial NEB Festival and ensure the organisation of national, 
regional or local satellite events in all Member States. 

7. 

IMPROVE ACCESS TO FUNDING AND INVESTMENTS 

Member States are encouraged to: 

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(a) 

(b) 

8. 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

Exploit  the  funding  opportunities  offered  by  the  NEB  Facility  for  both  its  R&I 
and  Roll-out  components,  by  increasing  awareness  among  all  relevant  stakeholders 
and potential beneficiaries, supporting them to participate and providing feedback to 
the  Commission  on  how  to  improve  it.  Ensure  funding  in  the  long  term,  including 
within the next MFF; 

Fulfil  the  commitments  to  implement  NEB  in  cohesion  policy  programmes,  by 
launching  concrete  calls  for  the  implementation  of  NEB  in  relevant  policy  areas 
according to the recent mid-term review, including by maximising private investment 
via the NEB territorial development model (NEB TDM) financial instrument; exploit 
cohesion policy programmes to in particular develop one NEB Lighthouse in each 
Member State; 

ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE NEB MULTILEVEL GOVERNANCE AND A CENTRAL ROLE OF 
THE NEB NATIONAL CONTACT POINTS 

It is recommended that Member States: 

Recognise  and  promote  the  central  coordinating  role  of  the  NEB  National 
Contact Points (NCPs) in the governance of the NEB at the national level, as well 
as support their capacity, also in synergy with the upcoming EU Housing Alliance to 
ensure  coherence  and  integration  of  the  NEB  approach.  Clarify  together  with  the 
Commission  the  definition  of  the  core  tasks  for  NEB  NCPs  and  define  additional 
country-specific  roles  if  needed.  Host  a  meeting  between  NEB  National  Contact 
Points during each Presidency of the Council of the EU in conjunction with relevant 
gatherings; 

Ensure a  cross-sectorial and multilevel governance for the NEB at the national 
level,  based  on  existing  good  practices,  through  coordination  and mainstreaming 
of NEB values and principles in  the planning  and implementation  of NEB-relevant 
funding  and  policy  initiatives.  Facilitate  coordination  and  collaboration  between 
the  NEB  NCPs  and  other  relevant  networks,  in  particular  Horizon  Europe  NEB 
R&I NCPs and managing authorities for cohesion policy; 

third  countries.  Support 

Promote  the  NEB  approach  and  tools  in  their  relevant  international  exchanges 
with 
inclusive 
in  particular 
reconstruction  of  Ukraine  through  pilot  projects  and  demonstrators  -  such  as  for 
schools,  public  spaces,  protection  of  cultural  heritage  and  circular  reconstruction  -, 
knowledge  creation  and  exchange,  as  well  as  to  consolidate  the  upcoming  NEB 
Academy  Hub  in  Ukraine  as  competence  and  support  centre  for  stakeholders  and 
local authorities for capacity building and sharing of innovative replicable solutions.

the  sustainable  and 

Done at Strasbourg, 

For the Council 
The President 

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