The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has officially opened nominations for the 2026 Scroll of Honour Award, one of the world’s most prestigious recognitions for outstanding contributions to sustainable urban development, housing, and human settlements.
The award celebrates individuals, organizations, institutions, governments, and initiatives that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to creating more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities. Since its establishment in 1989, the Scroll of Honour Award has recognized pioneering efforts that improve the quality of urban life and advance the global sustainable development agenda.
For the 2026 edition, UN-Habitat has announced the theme “Adequate Housing for All,” highlighting the urgent global need to accelerate action toward safe, affordable, accessible, and adequate housing. The theme aligns with international efforts to address housing shortages, informal settlements, urban inequality, and the growing challenges posed by rapid urbanization and climate change.
According to UN-Habitat, the award seeks to acknowledge initiatives that are making a measurable impact in housing provision, urban planning, community development, infrastructure improvement, and policies that promote equitable access to housing. The recognition aims to inspire governments, urban practitioners, planners, architects, developers, civil society organizations, and community leaders to advance innovative and scalable solutions for sustainable urban growth.
Nominations for the award will remain open until 23 June 2026. Winners will be announced and honored during the observance of World Habitat Day 2026, scheduled for 5 October 2026. The annual event serves as a global platform to reflect on the state of cities and the fundamental right to adequate shelter for all.
UN-Habitat has encouraged stakeholders worldwide to nominate deserving individuals or initiatives that are driving meaningful change in housing and urban development. The organization noted that recognizing successful projects and leadership can help replicate best practices across regions and contribute to achieving the goals of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The call for nominations comes at a time when cities across the globe are facing increasing pressures related to housing affordability, population growth, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure demands. By spotlighting exemplary achievements, the Scroll of Honour Award continues to promote innovation and collaboration in addressing some of the most pressing urban challenges of the 21st century. Source: urbanoctober.unhabitat.org
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