Deadline: 05-Jul-2026
The Trieste Contemporanea Committee is hosting the 16th International Design Contest “HOLD THE PLACE,” inviting designers to create small functional objects inspired by memory, place, and personal experience.
The competition offers multiple prizes up to €4,000 and includes a special theme on resilience and community linked to the 1976 Friuli earthquake and the town of Venzone.
What is the HOLD THE PLACE Design Contest?
This international design competition challenges participants to create a small, functional object that reflects:
- Personal or imagined experiences of Friuli Venezia Giulia
- The relationship between objects, memory, and place
- Cultural identity and storytelling through design
Key Themes
1. Core Theme: Memory & Place
- Objects as carriers of personal experience
- Emotional and cultural connections to place
2. Special Theme: Resilience & Community
- Inspired by Venzone
- Marks 50 years since the 1976 Friuli earthquake
- Focus on:
- Reconstruction
- Continuity
- Collective identity
What Should You Design?
Participants must propose:
- A small functional object
- Original and unpublished work
- A design that expresses:
- Memory
- Place
- Personal or collective narrative
Awards and Prizes
Main Awards
- Gillo Dorfles Prize: €4,000 (Best overall design)
Special Awards
- CEI Prize: €3,000
- For best design from a non-EU CEI country
- BEBA Prize: €1,000
- For youngest selected individual designer
- Venzone Special Prize: €2,000
- For best project reflecting resilience theme
Why This Contest Matters
This competition goes beyond design aesthetics.
It helps:
- Connect design with cultural memory
- Explore identity through objects
- Encourage socially meaningful design
- Highlight resilience through creativity
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must:
- Be designers (any age)
- Be born in eligible countries:
CEI Member States
- Albania
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Italy
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Poland
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Ukraine
Additional Eligible Country
Participation Rules
- Open to individuals and groups
- All group members must meet eligibility
- Only one submission per participant/group
- Projects must be:
- Original
- Previously unpublished
- Free from third-party rights violations
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Process
- Develop Concept
- Focus on memory, place, and functionality
- Align with Theme
- Optionally incorporate resilience (Venzone theme)
- Create Design Proposal
- Ensure originality and clarity
- Submit Entry
- Follow official submission guidelines
Tips for a Strong Submission
- Tell a compelling story through your object
- Keep the design functional and meaningful
- Connect clearly to place and memory
- Use symbolism thoughtfully
- Consider emotional and cultural impact
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting multiple entries
- Ignoring functional aspect of the object
- Weak connection to theme
- Copying or derivative ideas
- Overcomplicating the design
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main objective of the contest?
To design a functional object representing memory and place.
2. What is the top prize?
€4,000 under the Gillo Dorfles Prize.
3. Can I apply as a team?
Yes, if all members meet eligibility criteria.
4. Is there an entry fee?
No, participation is free.
5. Can I submit more than one project?
No, only one submission is allowed.
6. What is the special theme about?
Resilience and community inspired by Venzone and the 1976 Friuli earthquake.
7. Who can apply?
Designers from CEI countries and Austria.
Conclusion
The HOLD THE PLACE Design Contest 2026 offers a unique opportunity to merge design, memory, and cultural storytelling.
By focusing on meaningful objects and themes of resilience, the competition encourages designers to create work that is both functional and deeply connected to human experience.
For more information, visit Trieste Contemporanea Committee.