Zambia has been generous host to refugees since 1966  when the Angolan revolution against the Portuguese spread to the east of the country forcing people to flee for safety in neighboring Zambia.

Almost 60 years later, Zambia is still receiving refugees from a long list of countries, with a predominance of Congolese, Burundians and Somalis. There are a total of about 105,000 refugees in camps and settlements in Zambia of which 65,000 are Congolese and 20,000 are Angolan.

Since the creation of those camps, several NGOs have been actively working in creating community development programs among refugees in response to their requests. They operate along with UNHCR and the Zambian Government making sure that their dignity, worth, and possibility to improve are assured. 

This competition will take us to Mayukwayukwa, the oldest refugee settlment in Africa. We will partner with the Mexican NGO PROVS, A.C., an organization founded in 2008 that is convinced in changing the humanitarian aid model by providing tools and capabilities for the beneficiaries so they can become the promoters of economic and social development in their communities.

Challenge

This competition is calling for proposals to design a new Sustainable Development Center in Mayukwayuukwa refugee camp, with the focus on using local and sustainable materials and easy-to-build construction techniques that can be replicable by the refugees when building their own houses. We are looking for a building that can become a reference for the whole community.

The new Sustainable Development Center will have three main functions: 1. Host volunteers, staff and NGO members, 2. Organize workshops and courses and 3. Support local authorities in the implementation of programs and activities. The assigned plot has a dimension of 120m x 120m and the program will include six bedrooms for volunteers, three classrooms/ multipurpose spaces, an office, a kitchen with dining area, bathrooms, an orchard and a small farm, and several areas for outdoor activities.

The building will start its construction in 2023. PROVS organizes volutneer trips where participants are able to help in constructions, participate in workshops and get involved in programs with the local people. For this project they will also organize a volunteer trip around July 2023 (dates to be confirmed), and everyone is invited to participate!

Awards

Prizes totaling 10.000€ + CONSTRUCTION, broken down as follows:

1st PRIZE

6.000 € + PROJECT CONSTRUCTION
+ official book + exhibitions and articles + certificate

2nd PRIZE

2.000 €
+ official book + exhibitions and articles + certificate

3rd PRIZE

1.000 €
+ official book + exhibitions and articles + certificate

SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION

500 €
+ official book + exhibitions and articles + certificate

SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION

500 €
+ official book + exhibitions and articles+ certificate

+10 HONORABLE MENTIONS
+ official book + exhibitions and articles + certificate

Calendar

NOV. 23, 2022: Early registration closes

NOV. 24, 2022: Regular registration begins

DEC. 21, 2022: Regular registration closes

DEC. 22, 2022: Advanced registration begins

JAN. 18, 2023: Advanced registration begins closes

FEBRUARY 15, 2023: Submission deadline

FEB. 16 - MARCH 14, 2023: Jury decision

MARCH 15, 2023: Winners announced

*No submissions will be accepted after the general deadline indicated above: 23:59:59 Los Angeles time (UCT / GMT-7) or PDT.

Registrations

Registration fees will depend on the registration date, and will evolve as follows:

EARLY REGISTRATION: 60€ + VAT 

REGULAR REGISTRATION: 80€ + VAT 

ADVANCED REGISTRATION: 100€ + VAT 

LATE REGISTRATION: 120€ + VAT

VAT: 21%

Jury

Charles Newman, Unfrastructure Desgin, New York (USA)

Adi Kumar, Ndifuna Ukwazi, Cape Town (South Africa)

Foolad Khan, UNHCR, Lusaka (Zambia)

Justin Munyaka, UNDP, Mayukwayukwa (Zambia)

Gerardo Acosta, PROVS A.C., Monterrey (Mexico)

Aranzazu Tapia, PROVS A.C, Mexico City (Mexico)

More to be announced. 

Learn more about eligibility, rules, submission materials, evaluation criteria and registrations on Archstorming's website. 

Start your registrations here. 

Download competition brief here. 

Top image courtesy of Archstorming.

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