​​On 22 June, the European Commission awarded 15 local initiatives across Europe with the New European Bauhaus prize. Tanya Hristova (BG/EPP), Mayor of Gabrovo and Chair of the Commission for Social Policy, Employment, Education, Research and Culture (SEDEC), represented the CoR at the New European Bauhaus in Regions and Cities event where she participated in a high-level panel discussion alongside Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Regional Policy.

"The 15 initiatives that are awarded today are a perfect example of how cities and regions act as key levers at grassroot level, bringing closer to people the concept of the Green Deal, and are ready to provide support to build together a New European Bauhaus future", SEDEC chair Tanya Hristova said. 

"New European Bauhaus is about economic regeneration, sustainability and societal cohesion, facilitating industrial and social changes, including climate change adaptation and mitigation. For this initiative to become a real movement and not just another top-down project, ownerships must treacle down to the citizens at grassroot level.  The CoR, and in particular its SEDEC commission which is at the intersection of culture and research and innovation, can be a platform for awareness and exchanging best practices", Ms Hristova stressed. 

The New European Bauhaus is a creative and interdisciplinary initiative that connects the European Green Deal to our living spaces and experiences. The New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023 were open to applications from the EU Members States and, for the first time also, from the Western Balkans. The Prizes awarded up to EUR 30,000 for exemplary initiatives linking sustainability, aesthetics and inclusiveness - three complementary values of the New European Bauhaus.

See the full list of winners here | Watch the recording of the event here.