The call is now out for high-impact architectural projects with the radical potential to improve the lives of communities worldwide. GC2022 is accepting submissions from October 26. The deadline is November 30, 2022.
You can also find the guidelines in Spanish.

Below you can find the basic information about the A--D Global Challenge. If you still have questions after reading them, feel free to ask questions by contacting us.

Eligible projects include but are not limited to: collective spaces for community learning, living; working spaces such as schools, libraries; meeting places, community centres and more.

Please check Best Practices to get inspired.

• Team capacity: there is a core team that demonstrates motivation, leadership, relevant experiences and qualifications to bring the initiative to life.
• Community involvement: the core team consists of members of the community and representatives who demonstrate they receive community trust and are committed to the initiative.
• Architectural added value: the design demonstrates the core team’s understanding and sensitivity to local culture and tradition; it contributes to the community's sense of place and belonging.
  
• Urgency: the submission should clearly specify what’s already been achieved and identify the expertise and resources necessary for the next phase of development.
  
  

A project can be submitted by a community architect or representative - who acts as the ‘gatekeeper’ for the community, who is committed to leading the development process. Please note that your project will be prioritised if you can demonstrate exceptional leadership, project management skills, design experiences, or any relevant track record.

Eligible projects will be pre-selected and published on our website based on the aforementioned submission criteria. Our jury panel will select the finalists based on:

• Demonstrable impact: the project clearly contributes to the long-term development of the community beyond the program period by building various capacities of the community.
• Feasibility: the project has a viable development model for its specific context. The total budget should be specified, and initial funding (20%-30% of the project’s total budget) should be raised.

There is no limit for your project’s total budget. However, if your project requires a substantial amount of budget and time - it is advisable to break down your project/ budget into phases. That being said, the budget you are asking should reflect the next phase of your project development, appropriate for the period of six month.
Please note that potential sponsors might require a more detailed budget estimation, especially when it comes to substantial amounts.

There are three judging stages:

1. Together with our board of representatives, we will run the first review to select eligible projects to publish on the A--D website.
2. With our board of representatives, we will rate and longlist 24 projects.
3. With our jury board, we will then rate the longlisted projects and select 9 finalists, after jury deliberation.

After announcing the finalists, project leaders of these teams will be required to sign a partnership agreement with us to join our Accelerator Program. After 6 months, we will wrap up the accelerator with a public presentation. A--D will then withdraw as an active partner.

Our jury board is made of experts nominated by our partners and our board members:

• Johann Baar/ The Hilti Foundation
• Kira Intrator/ Aga Khan Development Network
• David Barragan/ Al Borde Arquitectos
• Doina Petrescu/ University of Sheffield
  
• Ole Bouman/ Design Society
• Irene Planchuelo Gómez/ TECHO Internacional
  
• David Basulto/ Archdaily
• David Cole/ Building Trust International
• Rob Breed & Changfang Luo/ Architecture in Development

• All eligible entries will be published on the A--D website to call for support, access to our global network of ambassadors and representatives and engage allies!
• We will long-list 24 projects. These will be featured in our social media.
• The 9 finalist projects are welcome to join the accelerator in which A--D will help them find additional finance, partnership and resource opportunities together with our partners and ambassadors.

Awards and opportunities

• Two finalists will be awarded €5,000 each thanks to the support of our partners: Hilti Foundation and Aga Khan Development Network.
• In addition, donors may select any eligible project, at any time, to donate additional finances (or other resources).
• We are working with our network and ambassadors to acquire 2022 Global Challenge sponsors who may provide additional finance opportunities.

! Correction notice ! we have revised the description in Awards and opportunities on November 15, 2022, to increase its clarity.

• Carefully read these guidelines to make sure your submission is eligible and able to meet the deadline. Bear in mind that it'll take at least 48 hrs to review your submission before it can be admitted and published.
• Organise your story, gather good drawings, photographs, video materials and credit info. For the best result, use images no smaller than 2000 x 1600 pixels with a maximum size of 3MB.
• Provide the following key information:

  ---

  • A header image or video (already uploaded to Youtube or Vimeo)
  • Pitch story (max. 450 characters)
  • Project introduction & one main image
  • Impact & one main image
  • Core team & photo/ video about the team (highly recommended)
  • Project budget indication
  • Specify the additional funding, expertise and resources necessary to bring your initiative to life
  • Note that each section can be illustrated by an image or video; there is also an image gallery to add more images and drawings (use images where you have permission)
    
  • Already start a crowdfunding campaign? You can add a link to your campaign

    ---

• Now register an account
• Once you complete the account registration, you can access the submission form and get started.
• If your submission is eligible, it will be published on the A--D website. Otherwise you might receive our feedback to improve your project submission, with the possibility of it being published after revision.
• When your project is published online, it can no longer be edited. You may, however, provide updates to the project, and are kindly advised to do so on a regular basis to keep your audience updated. See project update example here or here.
  

Architecture-in-Development is a global platform connecting 60,000+ architectural professionals actively exploring new meanings and opportunities in architecture.
Click here to read more about A--D

The Global Challenge is an annual competition organised by A--D, that recognises the most sustainable architectural projects around the world, and helps accelerate their development. Our goal is to support underserved communities to build a thriving future.

By participating, local community teams gain access to our network support and partners, while participating experts gain deeper knowledge, insight and practical experience in sustainable development and inclusive Do-it-Together architecture

The Global Challenge is the one-and-only global program that supports the early phase of bottom-up, community architectural initiatives. All eligible projects (not just finalists) published on the A--D website will benefit from:

• Exposure: Visibility and credibility among your supporters and potential partners.
• Network & partnerships: Access to our global network of ambassadors and representatives who may partner with your project and offer their support.  
• Funding: Opportunity to reach out to our network of ambassadors and representatives who may help fundraise.