The New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative aims to merge sustainability, inclusivity, and aesthetics in line with the European Green Deal. NEB has expanded its reach and impact across Europe to become a widespread movement with over 600 partner organizations involved, and more than €200 million in funding through programs like Horizon Europe and Cohesion Policy to support NEB projects. This funding is being used to create sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetically pleasing spaces and solutions throughout the EU.

The 2021 paper, Social Economy Towards the New European Bauhaus: Observations and Good Practices, explores the intersection between the social economy and the New European Bauhaus initiative.

Two key observations include:
•    The social economy's potential is highlighted in contributing to NEB's goals through its focus on human-centric and environmentally sustainable practices.
•     The paper observes the need for stronger collaborations between social economy actors and other sectors, including the private sector, public authorities, and the cultural and creative industries.

The paper showcases several case studies and examples of good practices where the social economy has successfully implemented projects that align with NEB's vision. These include:
•    Community-driven housing projects that prioritise affordability and sustainability.
•    Circular economy initiatives that reduce waste and promote resource efficiency.
•    Cultural and creative projects that engage communities and foster inclusivity.

In terms of policy recommendations, the paper suggests that the European Commission and national governments should create more supportive frameworks for the social economy to thrive within the context of the New European Bauhaus. It also recommends that these frameworks should encourage experimentation, cross-sectoral collaboration, and the scaling-up of successful social economy initiatives. In addition, several challenges are identified, such as the need for better recognition of the social economy's role, access to funding, and the capacity-building of social economy actors.