Our biennial Global Challenge accelerates high-impact architectural projects by matching global expertise with local needs, catalyzing a new, collaborative practice we call Do-it-Together.
The Global Challenge isn’t just another design competition. It’s the only global program designed to support the upscaling of local-led, community-based, architectural initiatives.
By joining, participants gain visibility, access to expertise, and tailored support to scale their impact. Watch how previous participants transformed their projects with the help of the program.
We welcome any type of project that embodies Do-it-Together principles—where communities and collaborators work collectively to shape shared spaces and solutions.
Eligible projects include but are not limited to: collective spaces, schools, libraries, meeting places, community centers, co-housing, workshops, urban infrastructure, place-making, etc.
To be eligible, projects must:
1. Be in the scaling-up phase, demonstrating readiness for growth in terms of financial and human resources.
2. Have a core team with a proven track record of strong community engagement and active collaboration.
Take a moment to review our 'How to Apply' page to ensure your project meets the criteria and requirements.
Sign up to access our platform. Your application form is available in your personal dashboard.
Fill out and submit your application directly in our system—no external forms needed. Your progress saves automatically!
Architecture-in-Development (A--D) is a not-for-profit network platform with the vision to catalyze a new architectural practice we call Do-it-Together. With members active in over 80 countries, A--D bridges global expertise with local needs, fostering trust-based collaborations that address today’s most pressing challenges.
At the heart of A--D is Do-it-Together (DiT). Through our website, programs and activities, we match diverse resources and stakeholders, bridging differences, and scaling local-global collaborations. Through our Library of Inspiration, global network, and matching programs, A--D continues to support community-led initiatives, repositioning architecture as a powerful medium for building agency and capacities towards sustainable change.
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.
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.
To apply, visit the "How to Apply" page on our website. You will find clear instructions and forms you need to submit. Make sure to include all the required details to make the application process easy and quick.
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.
We're proud to have incredible sponsors driving sustainable change for communities facing urgent challenges. We're still open to new sponsors this year—join us to make a lasting impact!
Thanks to the support of our #GC2022 Partners, we're accelerating the development of sustainable and inclusive self-build architectural projects worldwide.
Are you a community that has a serious ambition to build a school, housing or a community hub but lack the right resources to bring it to life? A--D’s Global Challenge 2021 is your chance to put your project in front of a global audience of engaged experts eager to help. Submit your challenge(s) to the Global Challenge 2021 TODAY!
Do you want to be part of a global community actively looking to positively impact people's lives through architecture? A--D invites professionals from all walks of architecture life to contribute to projects using their own expertise’s. Innovate, learn and challenge each other in a highly diverse, inclusive and inspiring environment.