The Ukrainian project for creating community centers, "Community reBuilding," is the winner of the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2024 competition. It claimed the first spot in the "Rising Stars" nomination in the category of "Prioritizing places and people in greatest need."
"Community reBuilding" is a small grants program. [a:https://cedos.org.ua/en/news/10-hromadas-will-receive-funding-for-the-development-of-community-building-centers/;value:Ten selected projects]↗️ received a grant of 1,000,000 hryvnias each and mentorship support for developing accessible physical spaces. Nine out of ten projects will renovate existing buildings, aiming to transform them into places where people from different social groups can gather for leisure, community development, cooperation, and comprehensive realization.
The program organizers advocate for resource reuse, encourage the use of available materials for repair and furniture restoration, and promote purchasing goods and services from local suppliers. Participants also focus on energy efficiency in renovation planning, with attention to accessibility and aesthetics.
As emphasized by the organizers: "Effective zoning can stimulate dialogue, while the right choice of colors and materials can promote interaction and creativity. We are working to ensure that these buildings look modern at least from the inside, making the space attractive to everyone. Mentor architects assist participants in reviewing their approaches to spatial aesthetics, guiding them towards better solutions and using a community-oriented approach to aesthetics and design."
In [a:https://okna.ua/en/news/20231019/new-european-bauhaus-will-welcome;value:the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Prizes 2024] competition, eleven Ukrainian projects were presented, with three nominated for awards. In addition to "Community reBuilding Ukraine," the first place in the "Restoring connection with nature" category went to the project "Above the Spring." The project involves the restoration of neglected natural areas for the social integration of internally displaced persons into the local community while preserving ecosystems and biodiversity in Lviv.
The second place in the "Prioritizing places and people in greatest need" category was awarded to the project "Leo States" - the largest private modular shelter in Lviv for 200 internally displaced persons who lost their homes due to the war in Ukraine.