The New European Bauhaus puts a cultural and creative dimension at the heart of the European Green Deal and the renovation wave, providing a springboard for the green transition. With these words, EESC President Christa Schweng summed up the EESC's position on this new Commission initiative when she met the Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, at the EESC plenary session on 23 March 2022.

"We fully agree with the aim of providing all citizens with access to goods that are circular and less carbon-intensive in their places of living, work, public buildings and housing through practical experiences," said Ms Schweng. Stressing the importance of involving civil society organisations and looking to the future, she added: "The EESC is ready to be actively involved in the participatory approach of the New European Bauhaus movement in order to ensure a fruitful dialogue with citizens and civil society, providing solutions for and improving their daily lives."

Referring to the severe consequences of the pandemic and the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Ms Gabriel underlined the importance of such projects today: "I think it is more important than ever to be able to see hope in our future, to continue to work together for this. And that is exactly what the New European Bauhaus represents. The EESC is an essential partner for its success. Together, we will make sure that it is put into practice in a way that is as close as possible to local communities, European citizens and their homes."

The Commissioner judged the participatory approach to be "crucial for maintaining dialogue with citizens," adding: "it is precisely this idea of co-creation and cooperation that inspired our initiative". She praised the EESC's proposals, such as the suggestion to set up a civil society platform to provide support at local level and the intention to organise a specific conference in connection with the New European Bauhaus annual festival on 9-12 June 2022. Another important step will be the launch in April 2022 of the New European Bauhaus Lab, a reflection and action group on co-creation, prototyping and testing.