BRUSSELS — The third edition of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Festival concluded in Brussels on Saturday after five days of discussions, exhibitions and cultural events centered on affordable housing and democratic participation, themes that European Union officials said are increasingly linked to social cohesion and public trust in institutions. The festival, organized by the European Commission, ran from June 9 to June 13 and brought together policymakers, architects, designers, researchers, local authorities and community groups.
According to the European Commission, the 2026 festival focused on how citizens can play a more active role in shaping their communities, with affordable housing highlighted as a key issue affecting residents across Europe. Organizers said the event examined ways to create sustainable, inclusive and accessible living environments through design, urban planning and public participation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on June 9, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the New European Bauhaus was “a shared effort to tackle the issues that matter most to our people today,” according to a Commission report on the event. She cited housing affordability and democratic participation among the challenges the initiative seeks to address.
European Council President António Costa also linked housing concerns to public confidence in institutions. “The lack of affordable housing is at the core of people’s disillusionment with democratic institutions,” Costa told attendees, according to the Commission. He said governments and communities should continue working together to improve access to affordable and sustainable housing.
The festival featured debates, project exhibitions, artistic performances and satellite events held in Brussels and other locations. Organizers said the program was structured around four pillars — Forum, Fair, Fest and Satellite Events — intended to combine policy discussions with practical demonstrations and cultural activities.
The event took place amid broader EU efforts to expand the New European Bauhaus initiative. In May, the Council of the European Union adopted a recommendation encouraging member states to incorporate the initiative’s principles into national policies and funding programs, including measures supporting affordable, participatory and sustainable development.
European officials said the festival also marked a new phase for the initiative following the adoption of a Commission strategy in late 2025 aimed at scaling up projects related to housing, sustainability and community participation. Details on future projects and funding allocations remain subject to decisions by EU institutions and member states.
