Collective action for regenerative urban futures

Cities and Regions everywhere are experimenting with new ways to produce locally, regenerate ecosystems, and strengthen community resilience. The 2026 Fab City Awards focus on initiatives that move beyond experimentation and demonstrate how collective action can shape real transitions in cities and regions. We are particularly interested in initiatives that combine design, technology, and civic participation to create solutions that are rooted in place but capable of spreading globally across the Fab City Network.

Initiatives that combine design, technology, and civic engagement. That connect scientific knowledge with local know-how. That demonstrate real implementation on the ground. That show potential to scale across cities and regions. Those that contribute to regenerative and locally productive systems Projects can touch multiple dimensions. Jurors score each submission using a rubric that evaluates the strength of the initiative across three core areas (all three are required in the application form): ● Community: empowerment, participation, organisation ● Technology: accessibility, distributive values, meaningfulness ● Nature: conservation, restoration, protection

3 Category winners: Community, Technology, Nature Each category winner receives: ● Seed funding: €1,000 ● Product support: up to USD 600 in Seeed Studio products, plus optional technical guidance ● Lab access support: potential lab access where the winner is located, plus Lab Access to Fab Lab Puebla for initiatives based in that region ● Mentoring and network support: mentoring sessions with members of the Fab City ecosystem; potential specialist technical or policy advice ● Visibility: feature across Fab City channels and invitations to showcase moments ● FABx participation: a free ticket to participate and showcase the initiative at FAB26 (Boston), July 2026 **1 Overall Impact Award** The Overall Impact winner receives: ●Seed funding: €1,500 ●Product support: up to USD 600 in Seeed Studio products, plus optional technical guidance ●The same network, lab access (where available), mentoring, and FABx showcase opportunities described above. Thomas Duggan Award (Arts and Design distinction): Prize: mentoring sessions with Stephen Davies and an invitation to contribute to a maker space redevelopment project in Cornwall, including participatory material mapping and bioregional design work (remote/online/in-person options). Travel Note: The Fab City Awards provide a free ticket for FAB26 Summit participation and showcase. Travel, accommodation, visas, and other related expenses are the responsibility of the winner/team, unless explicitly stated otherwise by the Foundation in writing.

We welcome applications from individuals and teams across the public, private, and civic sectors, including for-profit and non-profit organisations, collectives, public institutions, labs/makerspaces, community groups, NGOs, academia, and companies. Eligible initiatives include projects, platforms, policies, infrastructures, or community-led programs that are already piloted or implemented - and able to share evidence and documentation.