New European Bauhaus

On the 21 and 22 of June 2023, we went to Brussels to participate in the third edition of the New European Bauhaus in Regions and Cities event, bringing together an ecosystem of 250 agents involved in ongoing projects of the New European Bauhaus, local and regional authorities, and other influential stakeholders or civil society members from across the European Union. Launched by President von der Leyen in her State of the Union address in 2020, the NEB is an environmental, economic, and cultural project that combines design, sustainability, accessibility, affordability, and investment in order to help achieve the European Green Deal.

Represented by the coordinator of the educational service, Filipa Tomaz, the Trienal was present at the exhibition and the debate and networking sessions, promoting the tactile children's book, a finalist in the NEB awards. The two-day program, combining finalist exhibitions, thematic debates, and networking sessions with more than 61 initiatives, including six Portuguese ones, reveals the vibrancy of social and cultural entrepreneurship in Portugal.

On this occasion, the Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, stated: "Innovative projects on the ground translating the New European Bauhaus values into reality is crucial for an inclusive green transition that provides high-quality living solutions to all. With this first dedicated NEB call under cohesion policy, we offer the technical capacity needed for multidisciplinary, high-value projects bringing sustainability, aesthetics and inclusiveness to the local people, and hope it will inspire many more such projects in the future."

The Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, stated: "Cities play a major role in sustainable transformation. They are uniquely placed not only to engage citizens, but also to build upon cultural diversity and cultural heritage to transform our living spaces and mind-sets. With this new call, we anchor the values of the NEB in the building and functioning of cities, at the closest to citizens. I am looking forward to seeing the projects come to life and spread across Europe."

It was gratifying to witness the strong support for this inclusive educational project, and we hope that this internationalisation effort for the accessible children's book will attract new supporters, as it is our desire to reach other European markets with translated versions after its launch in the national territory in Autumn 2023 at Palácio Sinel de Cordes.