An ecological solution developed in a small Transylvanian village has earned European recognition. EcoH2O – the Viscri Wastewater Treatment Plant, a project by the Mihai Eminescu Trust Foundation, has won the Water Resilience Special Prize at the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2026.
On October 15, 2026, at the New European Bauhaus Prizes ceremony, EcoH2O – the Viscri Wastewater Treatment Plant was announced as the winner of the Water Resilience Special Prize.
The award follows EcoH2O’s selection as one of four finalists in the Enhancing Circularity, Sustainability and Innovation category, under the NEB Champions strand.
For the Mihai Eminescu Trust Foundation, this award is European recognition of an approach we have been developing for years in Transylvania’s villages: preserving heritage goes hand in hand with improving quality of life and finding sustainable solutions for local communities.
EcoH2O Viscri: A Local Solution to a Real Challenge
Viscri is known for its Saxon heritage, traditional architecture, and cultural landscape, attracting visitors from around the world. Yet the future of a village depends just as much on the infrastructure that supports the everyday lives of its residents.
This is where EcoH2O began: with the need to address a practical challenge facing the local community — the responsible management of wastewater in a rural setting.
The ecological wastewater treatment plant in Viscri uses natural processes and plants to treat wastewater, bringing sustainability principles into a solution designed around the village’s specific needs.
The project demonstrates how innovation can serve rural communities while respecting both the environment and the unique character of a place.
From Viscri to the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2026
The New European Bauhaus is a European initiative that promotes a more sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful future, bringing together projects that connect innovation, design, environmental responsibility, and community needs.
At the 2026 edition, EcoH2O was selected as one of four finalists in the Enhancing Circularity, Sustainability and Innovation category, alongside three other European projects.
The Water Resilience Special Prize highlights the importance of solutions that support responsible water management and strengthen the resilience of local communities.
For us, this recognition shows that projects developed in small villages can offer valuable insights into challenges shared by communities across Europe.
Preserving Heritage Also Means Investing in the Future
At the Mihai Eminescu Trust Foundation, we work to preserve and revitalise Transylvania’s cultural and natural heritage through projects that actively involve and support local communities.
Our experience in Viscri has taught us that the sustainable development of a village requires a broader perspective. It means looking beyond the restoration of historic buildings and the preservation of traditional crafts to include landscape protection, education, and infrastructure that responds to today’s needs.
EcoH2O is part of this vision.
Through this project, we set out to address an environmental challenge with a solution that works with natural processes and contributes to the village’s long-term, sustainable development.
Winning the Water Resilience Special Prize at the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2026 encourages us to continue this work and share what we have learned in Viscri with other communities looking for sustainable solutions.
A European Award, a Shared Achievement
Behind EcoH2O are the people whose work, dedication, and collaboration helped bring the project to life, united by a shared commitment to finding a solution that truly works for Viscri.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the partners, collaborators, and members of the local community who made this project possible.