From 13 April to 13 October 2025, the European Union will take part in Expo 2025 Osaka under the theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives. At the heart of the EU’s participation stands the New European Bauhaus (NEB) – bringing Europe’s vision of sustainable, inclusive and beautiful living to a global audience.
But the NEB’s presence at the Expo is just the beginning.
At the 30th EU–Japan Summit, held on 23 July 2025 in Tokyo, the EU and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to deepen strategic cooperation across a range of policy areas — including culture, sustainability, technology and innovation — with the New European Bauhaus emerging as a flagship initiative of this new chapter.
NEB as a Strategic Bridge Between Europe and Japan
In their joint statement, EU and Japanese leaders recognised NEB as a transformative framework that turns environmental and social ambitions into concrete local actions, based on the principles of sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics.
Key new initiatives include:
- A NEB Academy Hub in Japan, to serve as a platform for educational exchange, joint research and capacity building;
- A dedicated NEB Prize for Japanese projects, the first of its kind beyond Europe, encouraging cross-cultural collaboration and innovation;
- Strengthened cooperation in architecture, design, digital transformation, education, culture and climate policy under shared NEB values.
These developments mark a turning point in the internationalisation of the NEB, and a unique opportunity for European actors – including those in the Alpine Space – to connect with Asian partners on shared challenges and joint solutions.
NEB Highlights at Expo 2025
Throughout the Expo, the EU Pavilion will showcase NEB values across its architecture, programming, and public engagement:
- A dedicated NEB stand will feature materials, projects and stories from Europe and Asia that demonstrate how design can address ecological, spatial and social challenges.
- The official EU uniform, designed by Slovak designer Tomáš Maliňák in collaboration with Japanese fashion house ANREALAGE, reflects NEB’s commitment to co-creation and intercultural dialogue.
- A series of curated NEB events were explored key NEB themes:
- 14 April 2025 – Kick-Off & Connect!
NEB’s journey at Expo begins with a dynamic launch featuring flash stories from Europe and Asia, presented in the Pecha Kucha format. - 13 May 2025 – Shaping Urban Futures: Design, Technology & Democracy
A high-level discussion on how design and innovation can help shape more democratic and resilient urban environments. - 30–31 May 2025 – From Vision to Practice
A two-day conference bringing together voices from across continents to explore beautiful, sustainable and inclusive living through real-world examples.
All events will be livestreamed and designed to engage diverse communities across sectors and regions.
Why It Matters for Alpine Space and NEB Stakeholders
For the BAUHALPS project and broader Alpine Space community, the EU–Japan cooperation on NEB presents significant opportunities:
- Visibility for Alpine NEB pilot projects on an international stage;
- Access to new partnerships with universities, designers, and public institutions in Japan and beyond;
- Participation in cross-border collaborations that connect local place-based innovation with global sustainability goals.
This is an open invitation for NEB actors across Europe — especially those working in mountain, rural, and peri-urban regions — to engage in global dialogue, co-creation, and knowledge exchange.
What’s Next
In the coming months, expect further developments on:
- Pilot project calls under the NEB–Japan cooperation framework,
- The operationalisation of the NEB Academy Hub,
- Extended NEB programming and visibility at Expo 2025,
- Opportunities to join policy, design, and educational dialogues.
Stay informed via our website and our partners’ networks as we share updates, calls for collaboration, and ways to get involved.
EU Pavilion staff uniform inspired by the NEB
The official EU uniform at the Expo 2025 Osaka, designed by Slovakia’s Tomáš Maliňák, reflects the NEB’s guiding values. Selected through a competition and further refined under the mentorship of renowned Japanese designer Kunihiko Morinaga (founder of ANREALAGE), the uniform embodies the fusion of European creativity and Japanese craftsmanship.
More Information
The New European Bauhaus is building bridges — from Alpine towns to Tokyo.
Join the movement.