The Fab City Challenge is a collaborative innovation initiative that addresses social, environmental, and economic issues—known as Challenges—through local action and global collaboration. The program focuses on key areas of intervention where international teams work alongside local initiatives to conceptualize and prototype actionable design solutions.

The Challenge is supported by a structured methodology, which includes tools, workshops, guidelines, and frameworks to guide participants through the entire process—from initiation and co-design to implementation, evaluation, and knowledge sharing.

Anyone is welcome to apply to participate in the Fab City Challenge. Typical participant profiles include:

• Local and global experts: Students, academics, professionals, designers, makers, digital fabrication practitioners, community organizers, and activists who bring their skills and experience to the table.
• Individuals involved in existing projects, technologies, or methodologies that align with one or more of the challenge areas.
• Members of networks or organizations of practice—including universities, advocacy groups, or communities of practice—that contribute specific knowledge, skills, or experience to the challenge.

The annual Fab City Challenge is usually held during the FABx event, organized by the Fab Foundation. However during Fab25 Czechia no Fab City Challenge will be organised.

However, organizations across the global network can now also host an independently organized Fab City Challengeˣ.

Challengeˣ is a flexible program that allows local organizations to design and deliver their own version of the Fab City Challenge, with tailored support and engagement from the Fab City Foundation’s Challenge Team.

If you're interested in organizing a Challengeˣ or would like to know more, contact daan@fab.city, one of our Challenge Coordinators.

Fab City Challenges tackle a wide range of pressing social and ecological issues, always grounded in the specific context and needs of the host city or region. Common themes include:

• Regenerative materials and circular production systems
• Climate-adaptive agriculture and food security
• Water conservation and waste management
• Human-wildlife conflict and the preservation of natural ecosystems
• Sustainable mobility and resilient urban infrastructure
• New learning models and access to education
• Digital sovereignty and new systems of value and exchange
• Social entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation

Each challenge is an opportunity to prototype systemic solutions that are locally rooted and globally relevant—bridging design, technology, and community led innovation.

Participants gain hands-on experience in systems thinking, community-driven innovation, design for impact, collaborative prototyping, and working in transdisciplinary teams. The challenge often leads to real-world pilots, new collaborations, and engagement within the global Fab City network.

Challenges are either proposed by local hosts or co-designed through rigorous workshops and participatory processes to ensure local relevance and stakeholder engagement.

Challenges typically run for several days during an intensive event, but may also include preparation or follow-up sessions depending on the format (e.g., a Challengeˣ may span a few weeks or include asynchronous activities).

Participation in the Fab City Challenge is open to individuals and teams from diverse backgrounds through an open application process. When a new challenge is announced, applications can be submitted through a form provided by the organizers.

Please note that participation is not guaranteed—teams are curated by the local hosts supported by the Fab City Foundation, based on applicants’ backgrounds, interests, and the need for diversity and balance within teams.

Once selected, participants may be asked to confirm their spot by completing key steps such as paying a participation fee, confirming attendance at the host event (if applicable), and signing a waiver. Details vary depending on the format and location of each challenge.

To stay informed about upcoming Fab City Challenges and application opportunities, keep an eye on our official channels or reach out to daan@fab.city for the latest updates.

To ensure the Fab City Challenge remains economically sustainable for the Fab City Foundation and its organizing partners, a modest participation fee is typically requested. This contribution helps cover essential costs such as accommodation, meals, local transportation, and activities during the challenge days.

While the exact fee and what's included may vary depending on the location and format of the challenge, participants can generally expect:

• Lodging for the duration of the event
• Daily meals provided by local hosts
• Group transportation to and from key locations (e.g., between a hub city and challenge sites)
• Access to a rich multi-day immersive program with tools, facilitation, and community support

By joining the challenge, you not only gain hands-on experience in collaborative design and systems thinking—you also help us continue evolving and improving the program for future editions.

The ticket fee for the Fab City Challenge typically covers the core logistics needed for a smooth and immersive experience. This usually includes:

• Accommodation during the main days of the challenge, both at the primary venue and the local challenge locations
• Group travel or local transportation related to the challenge itinerary
• Daily meals, often provided by the hosting organizations or local partners
• Access to workshops, materials, and facilitation as part of the challenge program

Please note: Participants are generally responsible for organizing their own travel to and from the event location, as well as any accommodation or expenses outside the official challenge dates or activities (e.g., during related events such as FABx).