The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has officially opened nominations for the prestigious 2026 Scroll of Honour Award, one of the world’s most respected and internationally recognized awards celebrating excellence in adequate housing, sustainable urbanization, and inclusive city development.

Organizations, governments, institutions, and individuals from around the world are encouraged to submit nominations for initiatives that have made exceptional contributions to improving urban life, advancing sustainable communities, and promoting adequate housing for all.

The nomination deadline is 23 June 2026.

Since its establishment in 1989, the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award has highlighted transformative urban initiatives that address some of the most pressing challenges facing cities and communities worldwide. The award recognizes outstanding efforts that help create more inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and equitable urban environments while advancing the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Sustainable Development Goal 11.

The winners of the 2026 edition will be honored during the global observance of World Habitat Day on 5 October 2026.

About the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award

The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award is among the most prestigious international recognitions in the field of urban development and housing.

For more than three decades, the award has celebrated exceptional achievements that improve the quality of life for urban populations and contribute to sustainable urban transformation.

The award serves several important purposes:

Recognizing innovative urban development initiatives
Promoting best practices in housing and urban planning
Encouraging sustainable urbanization
Supporting inclusive development
Highlighting successful implementation of global development agendas
Inspiring governments and organizations to scale impactful solutions

Through this award, UN-Habitat aims to showcase successful examples of urban innovation and encourage broader adoption of effective approaches worldwide.

Why the 2026 Award Is Particularly Important

The 2026 Scroll of Honour Award comes at a critical moment in global development.

The world is currently facing an unprecedented housing crisis. According to UN-Habitat estimates:

Approximately 2.8 billion people worldwide experience some form of housing inadequacy.
Nearly 1.1 billion people live in slums and informal settlements.

These figures highlight the urgent need for innovative and scalable housing solutions that ensure safe, affordable, accessible, and adequate housing for all.

The 2026 award seeks to recognize initiatives actively contributing to solutions that address these challenges while advancing sustainable urbanization.

2026 World Habitat Day Theme: Adequate Housing for All

The Scroll of Honour Award is closely linked to World Habitat Day, an annual global observance that raises awareness about the state of human settlements and the right to adequate shelter.

The theme for World Habitat Day 2026 is:

“Adequate Housing for All”

This theme emphasizes the urgent need to:

Address housing shortages
Improve housing affordability
Expand access to safe housing
Promote inclusive urban development
Reduce housing inequality
Accelerate action toward sustainable housing solutions

As a result, special consideration will be given to nominations that align with this year’s theme and demonstrate measurable progress toward housing accessibility and inclusion.

Objectives of the Award

The Scroll of Honour Award seeks to recognize initiatives that:

1. Improve Urban Quality of Life

Projects that create healthier, safer, and more livable communities.

2. Advance Sustainable Urban Development

Initiatives that promote environmentally responsible urban growth and planning.

3. Strengthen Community Resilience

Programs that help cities and communities adapt to social, economic, and environmental challenges.

4. Promote Inclusion and Equity

Actions that ensure no one is left behind in urban development processes.

5. Support Global Development Agendas

Efforts contributing to:

Sustainable Development Goal 11
The New Urban Agenda
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Who Can Be Nominated?

UN-Habitat welcomes nominations from a broad range of stakeholders involved in urban development and housing initiatives.

Eligible nominees include:

Individuals

Visionary leaders, practitioners, researchers, and advocates making significant contributions to urban development.

Local and Regional Governments

Municipalities and regional authorities implementing innovative urban solutions.

Civil Society Organizations

Community-based organizations and non-profit institutions advancing sustainable development goals.

Research and Academic Institutions

Universities, think tanks, and research organizations producing impactful urban development initiatives.

Private Sector Organizations

Businesses and corporations creating innovative housing and urban development solutions.

Media Organizations

Media entities raising awareness and driving positive change related to urban issues.

Multilateral Agencies

International organizations working to improve urban living conditions globally.

Other Relevant Entities

Organizations and institutions actively contributing to adequate housing and sustainable urbanization.

Important Nomination Rules

Applicants should carefully review the nomination requirements before submission.

Self-Nominations Are Not Allowed

UN-Habitat explicitly states that:

Individuals cannot nominate themselves.
Organizations cannot nominate their own institution.
Programs cannot submit nominations for themselves.
Initiatives cannot self-nominate.

All nominations must be submitted by an independent nominator.

Language Requirement

Nominations must be submitted:

In English
Through the official online submission platform

Selection Process

The evaluation process is rigorous and designed to identify the most impactful urban initiatives worldwide.

Step 1: Initial Screening

Following the submission deadline, UN-Habitat will conduct a comprehensive review to ensure nominations meet eligibility and submission requirements.

Step 2: Selection Committee Review

Eligible nominations will be evaluated by a Selection Committee composed of:

UN-Habitat experts
Senior management representatives

The committee will assess submissions based on their impact, innovation, relevance, and contribution to sustainable urban development.

Step 3: Recommendation of Winners

The Selection Committee will recommend up to:

Five winning initiatives

for final consideration.

Step 4: Final Selection

The Executive Director of UN-Habitat will make the final selection of award recipients.

Step 5: Notification of Winners

Selected winners will begin receiving notifications from:

August 2026 onwards

Step 6: Global Recognition

Award recipients will be formally recognized during the global observance of World Habitat Day on:

5 October 2026

Selection Criteria

In evaluating nominations, UN-Habitat will consider:

Best Practices

Evidence of effective and successful implementation.

Innovation

Creative approaches to addressing housing and urban development challenges.

Impact

Demonstrated positive outcomes for communities and residents.

Sustainability

Long-term viability and durability of the initiative.

Alignment with SDG 11

Contributions toward making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Contribution to the New Urban Agenda

Support for global commitments related to sustainable urbanization.

Relevance to Adequate Housing for All

Particular attention will be given to initiatives addressing the 2026 World Habitat Day theme.

Notable Previous Winners

Over the years, the Scroll of Honour Award has recognized influential organizations and initiatives from around the world.

Past recipients include:

Kigali
Habitat for Humanity International
Veolia Environment
URBAN Intergroup

These examples demonstrate the award’s global reach and reputation as a benchmark of excellence in urban development.

Why Organizations Should Apply

Receiving the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award offers numerous benefits:

International recognition
Enhanced credibility
Increased visibility
Global networking opportunities
Validation of impact
Strengthened partnerships
Greater opportunities for scaling successful initiatives

Winning or being shortlisted can significantly elevate an organization’s profile within the international development and urban planning sectors.

How to Submit a Nomination

Eligible nominators should submit nominations through the official online submission platform provided by UN-Habitat.

Applicants should carefully review the official application guidelines to ensure all requirements are met before submission.

For additional information and inquiries:

Email: unhabitat-whd@un.org

Application Deadline

Nomination Deadline: 23 June 2026

Interested nominators are strongly encouraged to prepare and submit nominations well before the deadline.

Final Thoughts

The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award 2026 represents a unique opportunity to celebrate and showcase transformative initiatives that are improving lives, advancing sustainable urban development, and addressing one of the world’s most urgent challenges: adequate housing for all.

As cities continue to grow and urban populations expand, innovative solutions are needed more than ever. Through this prestigious award, UN-Habitat continues to recognize the individuals and institutions leading the way toward more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities worldwide.

Organizations and individuals who know of outstanding urban initiatives should take advantage of this opportunity and submit nominations before 23 June 2026.

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