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Center for Culture and Ecology Quiané, Mexico - © Paulina Ojeda

Global Challenge 2021
closed for submissions

Stay tuned for the next edition of the Global Challenge!

After reviewing the submissions, all eligible projects will be published on our website a.s.a.p.

Stay tuned

Best practices

ModSkool, India | finalist of 2016 Global Challenge

In one of Delhi’s slums, local community activists, leaders, architects have joined forces to build back a school that responds to future evacuations and climate conditions.

Read more
De Ceuvel, the Netherlands

De Ceuvel is a clean tech playground located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Converted from an industrial wasteland, today it is home to a thriving community of entrepreneurs and artists.

Read more
Granby 4 Streets, UK

After several decades of top-down planning to regenerate this run-down neighborhood in Liverpool, it was a bottom-up approach led by the local residents that made the difference.

Read more
The Chamanga Cultural Center, Ecuador

After the earthquake in April 2016, local residents, civil society organizations and academia collaborated to rebuild this Afro-Ecuadorian cultural house in San Jose de Chamanga.
El Tr3bol, Bogotá, Colombia

In an informal settlement in Bogotá, local community and experts have collaborated to revive a community gathering place, El Tr3bol, that has become a vibrant community hub.

FAQ

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What is the Global Challenge?

The Global Challenge is a competition that recognises the best community projects and helps accelerate their development. We select the most impactful initiatives, promote them amongst our global network of partners and connect them through meaningful collaborations.

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Why should we submit our community project to the Global Challenge?

The Global Challenge is the one-and-only global program that supports the early phase of bottom-up, community architectural initiatives. It is an opportunity for Exposure, Network, Funding & partnership: as a finalist, you will have the opportunity to receive €3,000.- funding or pro bono advice provided by our partners.

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What type of projects can I submit?

Eligible projects must be collective spaces: community learning, living, working spaces, such as schools, libraries, meeting places, community centers, community-led housing or community place-making - but are not limited to these.

Please also check the best practices to learn more about the winner of our Global Challenge 2016 and other projects we love.

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What are the submission criteria

Team capacity: there is a core team that demonstrates leadership and qualifications to bring the initiative to life.
Community involvement: the core team consists of members of the community and representatives.
Architectural added value: the design demonstrates the core team’s understanding and sensitivity to local culture and tradition.
Urgency: the submission should address what’s already been achieved and identify the expertise and resources necessary to bring the initiative to life.

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When are the important dates and deadlines?

dates

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Who is eligible to submit a project?

A project can be submitted by a person - community architect or representative - who acts as the ‘gatekeeper’ for the community, who is committed to leading the development process.

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What else do I need to know before submitting a project?

Please check the Program Guidelines with all the additional information about our jury panel, jury process and assessment criteria.

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How can I contact you for more questions?

Join our online Q&A sessions here and ask us any question.

Global Challenge 2021 Jury Board

See all jury board members

Partners

Advance Sustainable Development Goals
The Global Challenge invites companies to be part of the global debate around sustainable cities and communities.
By sponsoring the Global Challenge you are contributing directly to projects aimed to advance the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This isn't just about the future of architecture.
The solutions we seek affect the future of humankind.

Become a partner

Meet the Ambassadors

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