About the Fab City Awards 2025

This year’s edition received an incredible response, with 56 submissions from around the world, and initiatives representing six continents and a wide variety of organization types: from Fab Labs and creative hubs to public sector initiatives and personal applications.

A significant portion of these came from the Global South, aligning with our strategic focus on amplifying voices and innovation from historically underrepresented regions. This spread really highlights the diversity and reach of the Fab City Network. It has been especially encouraging to see strong participation from both established institutions and independent applicants alike.

This year’s success was powered by an outstanding jury team whose insight, time, and care shaped the entire process. Across all entries, they carried out over 160 detailed evaluations, ensuring every initiative was reviewed with fairness, attention, and respect.

We also thank our partners PENCE, Distributed Design Platform, and Hackster.io for helping extend the reach of the Awards and elevate the quality of this year’s edition. Their support brought in new communities, expanded visibility, and added depth to both the call and the evaluation process.

Key Focus Areas

🤝 Community-Driven Climate Action

Projects emphasising participatory governance, citizen science and creative interventions for climate resilience.

♻️ Sustainable Tech & Circular Innovation

Projects leveraging technology to promote circular economy practices, eco-design and regenerative materials.

🐝 Regenerative Ecosystems & Biodiversity

Solutions restoring and enhancing ecosystems, strengthening biodiversity and fostering community stewardship.

2025 Winners!

🏡 Best Community-Led Climate Action

Sifais FabLab (Costa Rica)

A digital fabrication lab in La Carpio, Costa Rica, that empowers local youth and residents through skills training, entrepreneurship, and inclusive production.
• 900 m² community space
• 350,000+ volunteer hours
• 2+ active social enterprises
• Makers generate income locally

🔁 Best Sustainable Tech & Circular Innovation

Madrid City Council’s Centre for Innovation in Circular Economy - CIEC Madrid (Spain)

A public-private circular economy innovation hub led by the City of Madrid, combining FabLab facilities, entrepreneurship, education, and climate-positive architecture.
• 97 startups supported since 2022
• 280 new jobs created
• Madrid’s first public wooden building (2,000 m²)
• Over 4,000 students reached

🌱 Best Regenerative Ecosystems & Biodiversity

Gut Einern – The Extracurricular Learning Center for Sustainability and Circular Economy (Germany)

A rural and urban learning hub promoting circularity and ecological restoration through hands-on training, vertical farming, and community nutrition projects.
• Permaculture and CNC Farming modules
• Mobile Learning Units
• “Green Classroom” and nutrition box programs
• Digital tools for climate awareness

🥇 Overall Impact Award

Kovai BSF (India)

A biotechnology-based project turning organic waste into high-protein animal feed using Black Soldier Fly larvae. It supports local farming economies, reduces CO₂ emissions, and builds a circular food system.
• Processes 500 kg of waste per module daily
• Avoids 450 kg CO₂ per ton of waste
• Generates 40–50× faster results than composting
• Supports both protein and fertilizer production

📝 Read more about the 2025 Awards on our blog! 📝

Prizes and Recognition

This year, the Awards winners will have a chance to travel to FAB25 and present their projects to a global audience. The winning projects will be awarded a travel fund of up to €1500 to attend the FAB25.

Winners will be invited to present their project at FAB25, with funding provided for a project representative to travel to the event in Czechia. These projects will also be featured across the DDP and Fab City Foundation platforms to help reach a global impact.