Report from the New European Bauhaus Festival

Dimitris Athanassiadis, SLU Urban Future's hub coordinator in Ume?, reports from the The New European Bauhaus Festival in Brussels, where he participated in a panel discussion together with RISE Research Institutes of Sweden:

The New European Bauhaus Festival, where imagination meets sustainability and inclusivity for a beautiful future, took place in Brussels from the 9th to the 13th of April, in Parc du Cinquantenaire and the Arts & History Museum. The festival was open free of charge and aimed to inspire and engage individuals in embracing sustainable choices. There were also many satellite events all through Europe that were happening during these days? (https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/festival_en). The festival included a Forum with panel discussions and keynote speakers, a Fair with exhibition of NEB related projects, workshops and labs and a FEST with artistic performances. The festival was inaugurated by Ursula von der Laiden and ended with the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2024 Ceremony.

The New European Bauhaus Academy

During the festival, the New European Bauhaus Academy was launched. Its aim is to train architects, engineers, and construction workers and give them knowledge and skills for using more sustainable materials in their works. Architects, engineers, urban planners, designers, public servants, companies and citizens were invited to share their experiences related to the built environment and construction sector.

Subjects that were discussed were:

• Construction waste that need to become a resource again
• Sustainability of construction products that arrive to the EU
• Commission work to standardize the use of structural timber
• Biogenic materials in the construction sector
• The importance of cooperation with local communities.

Scaling up

The New European Bauhaus is now scaling up the initiative to connect the growing NEB community. One month ago the NEB Facility (a new, dedicated funding instrument under the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan) for 2025 to 2027 was approved. It aims to create and scale up innovative solutions that can revitalise European neighbourhoods through design for sustainability and inclusion. Beginning 2025, the Facility will put forward 120 million EUR per year for research and innovation projects through 2027 and the aim of the commission is to contribute at a similar level from other EU programmes. From its start the NEB has focused on the built environment. In the coming years it will also focus on a sustainable future of the fashion industry.

Read more about the festival and watch recordings here: https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/festival_en