Democracy in action: Innovation driven by research and local communities

From Bologna to Łódź, researchers and citizens are reimagining public spaces - whether through adaptive lighting that balances safety and ecology, or handcrafted solutions to flooding. In Ireland, Poland, Malta, and beyond, projects are tapping into local creativity to protect heritage, boost cultural awareness and build resilience.

Discover 10 projects - funded under Horizon Europe – ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ and part of the New European Bauhaus United for a Living Environment (NEBULE) - that will feature at the 2026 New European Bauhaus Festival (9-12 June, Brussels). Together, they are putting democracy into action by showing how researchers, citizens and local institutions can create community-led innovation.

Revitalising heritage through local wisdom

Including local voices in heritage protection can lead to surprising and creative solutions that do not require heavy engineering.

HeritACT invited residents in Ballina, Ireland, to shape the redevelopment of urban spaces through workshops, surveys and Minecraft maps. Using community-designed gardens made with digital tools or small pavilions, citizens created more inclusive and climate-resilient public spaces.

Similarly, PALIMPSEST connects local artists and designers to create small-scale environmental solutions – such as ceramic vessels and handmade water-channelling systems that help the Polish city of Lódź deal with flooding and draught. 

PACESETTERS explores more broadly how Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) can help drive the climate transition. In Genalguacil, Spain, the project is studying how investing in arts and culture can boost sustainable development and counter rural depopulation in small village communities. 

Art of Darkness brings together authorities, local citizens, researchers and institutions to reimagine dark spaces in ways that can benefit the citizens and environment of five pilot cities. In Bologna, for instance, the project creates adaptive light systems, benches and video mapping to transform a central square into a welcoming and safer nighttime environment.

CONVIVIUM further extends this idea, treating food as a living part of our cultural heritage. By building a community kitchen or inviting citizens to create digital cookbooks about their family’s food heritage, the project aims to bridge tradition with modernity, strengthen social cohesion and increase ecological awareness.

Turning public spaces into democratic labs

Public spaces are prime locations where people can meet, exchange ideas and collectively shape their living environments. Two projects aim to convert public spaces into “living labs” for more inclusive and sustainable communities.

Make-a-thek turns public libraries into creative market spaces for circular fashion, traditional crafts and local innovation. With modular components and open-access educational resources, libraries across Europe can set up their own makerspaces, building on the creativity of local citizens.

STARTUP employs cultural mapping to identify and transform cultural spaces into vibrant neighbourhood hubs, guided by input from local communities. By offering residents the opportunity to connect with cultural professionals, the project supports community building and post-crisis recovery. 

Where education and arts meet active citizenship

Sustainable and inclusive living environments are not just built – they need to be learned, experienced and practiced. Several projects are exploring how arts-based approaches can be used to promote inclusion and participation, particularly among young people. 

ALPHABETICA focuses on making arts education and cultural experiences accessible to children and youth at risk of social exclusion. For example, in Italy and Poland the project matches families from different socio-economic backgrounds so they can attend cinemas, theatres or museums together. 

PULSE-ART and TOWCHED connect educators with arts and culture organisations to demonstrate how creative expression can help young people navigate Europe’s digital and green transitions. PULSE-ART  organises “game jams” in Malta where participants learn about cultural diversity and design video games together; while TOWCHED uses museum exhibitions to develop educational programmes that promote social skills.

Background

New European Bauhaus 

The New European Bauhaus (NEB) is a cultural and policy initiative launched by the European Commission in 2021. Often described as the “soul” of the European Green Deal, it brings together citizens, experts, businesses, and institutions around one shared goal: building a more sustainable future. Bridging the worlds of science, technology, art and culture, the initiative aims to introduce the clean transition into our everyday lives – while fostering community and strengthening European competitiveness. 

How to get involved

You can be part of this movement too. Whether you’re a researcher, educator, artist, or engaged citizen, the NEBULE projects show how collaboration shapes a fairer, greener future. Explore how to get involved below - because democracy works best when we build it together.

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