On 16 December 2025, the European Commission presented a strategic Communication and proposed Council Recommendation setting out the future role of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) as a driver of the clean transition and innovation. The update highlights the NEB’s next phase, linking it more closely to the European Affordable Housing Plan and expanding its scope to support sustainable neighbourhood transformation, inclusive participation, circular and bio-based solutions, and local climate action.
Key points from the Communication include:
• strengthening the NEB as a tool for circularity, sustainability and innovation in the built environment;
• empowering citizens through participatory processes and community resilience;
• integrating education, arts and culture to boost local transformation and creativity;
• developing digital catalogues of blueprints for resilient and affordable housing;
• enhancing the NEB Academy to support skills, upskilling and business development;
• funding NEB demonstrators and tools to showcase low-carbon, circular solutions;
• introducing a NEB Label to recognise and measure community-led impact;
• improving governance and access to funding through a NEB Advisory Hub and NEB Investment Accelerator.
The NEB’s strengthened focus makes it a key enabler of climate-neutral city transitions, with direct relevance for design innovation, financing, neighbourhood regeneration and community engagement at local level.
