Nominations are now open for the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, considered one of the most prestigious global awards recognizing innovative contributions to sustainable urban development.
The award recognises individuals and institutions with remarkable contributions to urban development, including improvement of quality urban life and provision of adequate, affordable, and accessible housing for all.
The theme will focus on addressing multiple crises affecting urban areas, including climate change and conflicts that are contributing to displacement, inequality, and other challenges. It will also highlight how existing tools and approaches for improved housing, land and basic services enable effective urban crisis response.
Through the theme, UN-Habitat aims to advocate for local actions to accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda.
Eligibility Criteria
- Individuals and organizations working on sustainable urbanization and housing initiatives which have had a great impact on society, can be nominated for the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor.
- These include:
- Government and inter-governmental organizations or agencies, including bilateral aid agencies
- Local and Regional Governments or their associations
- Civil society organizations
- The private sector
- National Habitat Committees or focal points
- Research and academic institutions
- Public or private foundations
- Multilateral agencies (United Nations Agencies, World Bank, etc.)
- The media
- Individuals
- Nominations must be made by a third party. For example, a government may nominate a university or an individual from an NGO. Similarly, an institute may nominate a city. A university head can nominate a government representative, a city, or an NGO. The nominee should not be employed by or affiliated with the nominated party.
- Self-nominations, including those for one’s own organization, programme, institute, or initiative, are not allowed.
Selection Criteria
- UN-Habitat will conduct an initial assessment of the nominations and submissions to ensure they meet the guidelines. Qualifying submissions will be reviewed by the Selection Committee, which includes UN-Habitat experts and senior management.
- The Selection Committee will select and recommend up to five winning initiatives to the UN-Habitat Executive Director for selection.
- The UN-Habitat Executive Director, based on the Selection Committee’s recommendations, will make the final selection of the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour winners.
- Nominees will be notified of the outcome from July 2025 onwards. Winners will receive their awards during the global celebration of World Habitat Day on 6 October 2025.
Application deadline: April 30, 2025
How to apply: Click HERE to apply
Nominations are open for the 2025 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, recognizing innovative contributions to sustainable urban development.
This prestigious award honors individuals and organizations improving urban life and housing accessibility amidst challenges like climate change and displacement.
It emphasizes local actions to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and New Urban Agenda.
Eligible nominees can include government agencies, civil organizations, private sector entities, research institutions, and individuals, provided they are nominated by a third party (self-nominations are not allowed).
The nomination process involves a review to meet guidelines, after which submissions are assessed by a Selection Committee. Up to five initiatives are recommended to the UN-Habitat Executive Director, who selects the winners.
Outcomes will be announced from July 2025, with awards distributed on World Habitat Day, 6 October 2025. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2025.
