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Discover 18 freshly launched, citizen-driven New European Bauhaus initiatives across Europe that are transforming urban and rural areas into Beautiful, Sustainable, and Inclusive spaces.
Across Europe, local communities are stepping up to shape their own neighborhoods, proving that community-led innovation is at the heart of the New European Bauhaus movement. From reclaiming urban green spaces to reimagining public spaces through co-design, these bottom-up initiatives show how collective action can create more sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful places to live.
Through the Connect NEB and Co-create NEB programmes, 18 EIT Community New European Bauhaus initiatives are being supported in 2025, each rooted in local communities and grassroots initiatives. Whether transforming schoolyards into food-growing hubs, restoring pedestrian connections in car-dominated neighborhoods, or designing climate-adaptive solutions for industrial zones, this year’s cohort is proving that real change starts from the ground up.
By working hand-in-hand with communities, municipalities, and grassroots organizations, these initiatives turn ideas into action—empowering communities to take ownership of their environment. The EIT Community NEB, led by EIT Urban Mobility and in partnership with EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, and Climate KIC, is proud to support these trailblazing projects that embody the values of the New European Bauhaus- sustainable, beautiful and inclusive.
Let’s meet the changemakers leading this transformation in 2025…
Connect NEB
Cultivating Common Ground (CCG) in South Somerset, UK
Exploring how arts and creativity can drive rural renewal, this project co-develops innovative ways for cultural engagement to strengthen local communities.
Verde Bairro 2.0 in Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal
Empowering residents to turn neglected public spaces into green, socially vibrant areas through small-scale community gardens and climate-adaptive urban renewal.
Co-creating to live together in Valencia, Spain
A pilot cooperative housing project fostering community ties, sustainability, and social cohesion through participatory design and local engagement.
Hulme Urban Green Spaces (HUGS) in Hulme, UK
Transforming grey urban spaces into vibrant, community-designed green areas by replacing car parking spots with climate-adaptive and resident-led solutions.
www.manchester.gov.uk and www.suscohulme.wordpress.com
Petroupoli Climate Shelter in Attica, Greece
Transforming an urban community garden into Greece’s first urban climate shelter, using nature-based solutions, co-design, and inclusive community participation to combat urban heatwaves.
Participation, Learning & Action for Nutritional Transition (PLANT) in Thessaloniki, Greece
Reconnecting intergenerational school communities with nature and sustainable food through placemaking, permaculture, and community-led education.
Building Social and Environmental Resilience in the Swedish Food System (SERISS) in Skåne, Sweden
Teaching local students and families about agroecological farming and policy advocacy to create a resilient and sustainable food system.
Vilnius Green Living Lab in Vilnius, Lithuania
Reimagining Soviet-era green spaces with community-led climate resilience initiatives, aligning with Vilnius’ European Green Capital 2025 ambitions.
WaterWiseCommunity in Bologna, Italy
A citizen-led experiment in recycling wastewater through nature-based solutions, promoting sustainability, education, and biodiversity in peri-urban Bologna.
Green Connections in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Revitalising underutilised urban spaces by creating intergenerational community gardens that foster social inclusion, environmental stewardship, and knowledge sharing.
Co-create NEB
Bucha Forest Classroom in Bucha, Ukraine
Creating an outdoor classroom in the forest to enhance environmental education and strengthen community resilience through hands-on learning.
Ratatouille of Vadrouille in Brussels, Belgium
Bringing sustainable food workshops and affordable plant-based meals to local neighborhoods through a mobile community kitchen initiative.
www.house-of-sustainable-transitions.be
Resilient and Healing Architecture for Leveraging Models of Urban Sustainable Communities (ReHEALMS) in Barcelona, Spain
Transforming Sant Pau into a sustainable hub by integrating healing architecture, mobility, and nature-based solutions to enhance community well-being.
Reviving Connections: Linking People and Places in Celje, Slovenia
Restoring pedestrian-friendly urban design by revitalizing neglected spaces and improving active mobility infrastructure through co-design.
At The Table You Never Grow Old (ATTYNGO) in Agro Atellano, Italy
Bridging generations through traditional food knowledge, this project brings children and elderly citizens together to document recipes and promote sustainable eating.
Villa+Verde Industrial in Madrid, Spain
Advancing climate adaptation in Villaverde’s industrial park through public-civic collaboration and nature-based solutions for a more resilient urban environment.
Youth Empowerment in Urban Decision Making (YOUrban) in Istanbul, Turkey
Engaging young people in urban planning through participatory design, VR simulations, and hands-on placemaking to improve quality of life in marginalized areas.
Play Accessible Communities (PAC) in Izmir, Turkey
Developing Izmir’s first Micro Mobility Playbook for municipalities, using a participatory approach to promote accessibility and community-centered urban design.
Building the Future, Together
From forest schools to reimagined industrial zones, the 2025 Connect NEB and Co-create NEB projects prove that real transformation starts with engaged communities. These initiatives showcase the power of bottom-up action, demonstrating that the New European Bauhaus is not just an idea—it’s a movement built by citizens, for citizens.
Would you like to follow the progress of these inspiring projects?
Stay connected with the EIT Community New European Bauhaus (NEB) and our project partners on LinkedIn, where we’ll be sharing stories, insights, and impact throughout the year.
