NEB Compass
Understand the official New European Bauhaus values and working principles
What is the NEB Compass?
The NEB Compass is the official guidance framework published by the European Commission to help anyone — citizens, designers, public officials, researchers and businesses — apply the New European Bauhaus in practice. It translates the initiative into three core values and three working principles that together define what a NEB-aligned project looks like.
Hosted on the European Commission's official New European Bauhaus portal (new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu).
The three NEB Values
Sustainable
From climate goals, to circularity, zero pollution, and biodiversity. Projects should regenerate ecosystems and minimise their environmental footprint across the full life-cycle.
Beautiful
Quality of experience and style, beyond functionality. Places, products and processes that enrich daily life, celebrate diversity of cultures, and foster a strong sense of belonging.
Together
Inclusion, accessibility and affordability for all — especially the most vulnerable. Designed with and for the people who use them, across generations, abilities and backgrounds.
The three NEB Working Principles
Participatory Process
From consultation to co-design, co-creation and co-ownership. People affected by a project shape it from the very beginning.
Multi-level Engagement
Connecting the local, regional, national and European levels — and learning across them. NEB projects are place-based but plug into wider networks.
Transdisciplinary Approach
Bridging arts, sciences, engineering, crafts and citizen knowledge. NEB challenges cannot be solved by any one discipline alone.