Architecture-in-Development (A--D) is a Dutch not-for-profit active in more than 80 countries. We connect local self-build community projects with our global network of 60,000+ architectural professionals, and the resources contributed by our partners, sponsors and donors.

Click here to read more about A--D

Today, 90% of the world’s architects serve only 10% of the world’s population. Those living on the frontlines of some of our most pressing social and environmental emergencies are hugely underserved.

The Global Challenge helps us develop and promote a more inclusive and sustainable way of thinking about and practicing architecture. We call it 'Do-it-Together' (DiT). And it has the radical potential to improve the lives of rural and/or urban communities everywhere.

The Global Challenge helps accelerate the development of self-build community projects worldwide. It gives them a voice, a global stage, and connects them with much-needed expertise and resources.

The challenge focuses on collective spaces for community learning and living; working spaces such as schools, libraries; and meeting places, community centres, and more. Here are some great examples.

By participating, architects develop valuable skills and experiences in sustainable development. They discover a more inclusive and empathic way of thinking about and practicing architecture. They also gain the support (and often friendship) of like-minded professionals working on the frontlines of some of today’s most pressing social and environmental emergencies. You can register here.

If you want to meet your environmental or social targets, or contribute to United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals, then sponsoring or partnering with us is a very tangible and direct way of doing it.

The Global Challenge runs from October each year, through to June in the following year.

Here are the Global Challenge submission Guidelines.

You can join us here. We’d love to have you own board!

Yes, you can. Either donate using our secure form, or contact us if you'd like to donate to a specific project. To give you an idea of the types of projects we support, here are the 2021 Global Challenge finalists.