By joining, participants gain:



Increased Credibility: Our unique submission process highlights your project's impact and needs, enhancing its visibility and credibility among potential partners and industry leaders.

Build Capacity: Our Accelerator connects your project with tailored support, mentorship, and resources from our global network of ambassadors, partners, and experts.

Access Funding: Through the Accelerator and its live events, your team’s reputation and portfolio will strengthen, increasing opportunities for local and global funding and partnerships.

To apply, visit the 'How to Apply' on our website with all required information. Still got questions? Contact us or join our Live Q&A where we'll answer all your questions.

ESP: Para participar, visita la sección Cómo participar en nuestro sitio web y mándanos toda la información requerida. ¿Aún tienes dudas? Contáctanos o únete a nuestra sesión de preguntas y respuestas en vivo, donde responderemos todas tus preguntas.

We accept applications from individuals and teams who are leading and managing a project’s development process. Whether you are a community representative, community activist, or community architect, you can register as a project leader and submit your initiative.

After submitting your project, here’s what you can expect:

Publication:

All submitted projects are reviewed to ensure they meet the criteria for publication.If eligible, your project will be published on the A--D website, increasing its visibility and credibility within our global network.

Promotion:

From all eligible projects, 15 will be selected for the long list and promoted on our social media, generating further visibility and momentum from our global community.

Jury Award:

From the long-listed projects, 5 finalists will be chosen and announced by our jury board. These finalists will be invited to join our Accelerator Program, which includes free mentoring sessions designed to help secure vital partnerships and resources with support from our network of partners and ambassadors.

Live Events and Additional Opportunities:

The accelerator will culminate in a live event, offering global recognition for both past and present finalists. The event provides a space for meaningful partnerships and collaborations, furthering the global Do-It-Together movement. Details about the event location and schedule will be shared at the start of the Accelerator.

Throughout the Accelerator and live events, finalists may also attract additional support, including donations or resources from donors and sponsors.

Whilst the Global Challenge does not offer cash prizes, it provides long-term value through its jury award, accelerator program, and live event.

As one of the five finalists, you will gain:

• A six-month tailored accelerator program, providing strategic, needs-based mentorship to enhance your storytelling, data research, and project positioning—guided by our expert board and supported by our ambassadors.
• A live event in Hong Kong, where you will present your project’s impact and outcomes, refined through the accelerator program.
• Opportunities to secure funding and resources, leveraging the accelerator and live event to strengthen your team’s credibility and expand access to potential partners and funders. 
  
  Rather than a one-time cash prize, the Global Challenge is designed to build momentum, strengthen partnerships, and amplify the collective impact of community-led projects—empowering you to attract sustainable funding and long-term support.

The Global Challenge is our biennial program that supports community-led projects through strategic, needs-based collaboration. We invite architects and community leaders to submit their projects for consideration, matching global expertise with local needs, fostering partnerships, climate-resilient solutions, and connecting communities to global networks and leaders in social innovation.

Because no existing awards or programs recognize and support the best practices in self-built, informal, and bottom-up contexts—despite their vital contributions to communities worldwide. These initiatives deserve as much attention and funding as acclaimed, high-profile projects.

As a bottom-up, volunteer-led, and network-driven initiative, A--D exists to increase the collective visibility of passionate professionals, teams, and community-led practices in underrepresented regions.

If you share this vision, join the Global Challenge. This program amplifies our collective efforts—shifting the way we think about and practice architecture, from what a client wants to what humanity needs.