Deadline: 23-Jun-2026
The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award 2026 recognizes individuals and organizations making outstanding contributions to adequate housing and sustainable urban development aligned with SDG 11. It highlights initiatives that improve urban living conditions, promote inclusive cities, and support vulnerable populations through scalable and innovative solutions. Nominations must be submitted by third parties and may be showcased globally by UN-Habitat.
What is the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award?
The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award is one of the most prestigious global awards in the field of human settlements and sustainable urban development.
Launched in 1989 by UN-Habitat, it recognizes impactful work that improves housing conditions and promotes inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities.
Purpose of the Award
The award aims to:
- Recognize excellence in sustainable urban development
- Promote adequate housing for all
- Support inclusive and resilient cities
- Highlight innovation in urban planning and housing solutions
- Advance the implementation of SDG 11
Key Focus Areas
Sustainable urban development
- Urban transformation and planning
- Infrastructure improvement
- Resilient city development
Adequate housing
- Access to safe and affordable housing
- Housing solutions for vulnerable populations
- Slum upgrading and urban regeneration
Inclusive and equitable cities
- Social inclusion and equity in urban systems
- Support for marginalized and vulnerable groups
- Community-driven urban development
Innovation and scalability
- Transferable urban solutions
- Scalable housing and city models
- Innovative urban governance approaches
Global development alignment
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- New Urban Agenda implementation
- 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
- 2026 World Habitat Day theme: Adequate Housing for All
Who Can Be Nominated?
Eligible nominees include:
- Government and inter-governmental organizations
- Local and regional governments
- Civil society organizations
- Private sector entities
- National Habitat Committees
- Research and academic institutions
- Foundations and multilateral agencies
- Media organizations
- Individuals
Important rule:
- Self-nominations are not allowed
- Nominations must be submitted by a third party
What Must the Nomination Include?
Required information
- Background and mission of the nominee
- Description of the initiative or work
- Challenges addressed
- Target beneficiaries
- Investments and resources used
- Activities implemented
- Outputs and measurable outcomes
Impact and contribution
- Social impact on communities
- Economic improvements
- Environmental benefits
- Health, education, and employment outcomes
Innovation and scalability
- Innovative aspects of the initiative
- Potential for replication or scaling
- Partnerships and collaboration models
Supporting documentation
- Photographs
- Publications and reports
- Media coverage
- References or testimonials
How the Award Works
- Third-party nomination is submitted
- UN-Habitat reviews eligibility and documentation
- Evaluation based on SDG 11 alignment and impact
- Selection of award-winning initiatives
- Winners are announced and showcased globally
Benefits of Winning
- International recognition by UN-Habitat
- Feature in global exhibitions and publications
- Media coverage and global visibility
- Opportunity to showcase scalable urban solutions
- Recognition as a leader in sustainable urban development
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting incomplete documentation of impact
- Lack of clear alignment with SDG 11
- Weak evidence of measurable outcomes
- Missing third-party nomination requirement
- Poor explanation of scalability or innovation
Tips for a Strong Nomination
- Clearly demonstrate measurable urban impact
- Show alignment with SDG 11 and the New Urban Agenda
- Provide strong evidence (data, reports, visuals)
- Highlight innovation and scalability
- Include diverse partnerships and stakeholder engagement
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award?
- It is a global award recognizing excellence in sustainable urban development
- Focuses on adequate housing and inclusive cities under SDG 11
- Who can be nominated?
- Governments and local authorities
- NGOs, private sector, and academic institutions
- Individuals and foundations
- Media and multilateral organizations
- Can individuals apply directly?
- No
- All nominations must be submitted by a third party
- What kind of work is recognized?
- Affordable housing initiatives
- Urban regeneration projects
- Inclusive city development
- Sustainable infrastructure and innovation
- What is SDG 11?
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goal focused on sustainable cities and communities
- What makes a strong nomination?
- Clear impact evidence
- Strong alignment with SDG 11 and global urban agendas
- Demonstrated scalability and innovation
- Strong documentation and partnerships
Conclusion
The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award 2026 celebrates global leaders advancing sustainable and inclusive urban development. By recognizing impactful housing and city transformation initiatives, it promotes innovative solutions that improve living conditions and strengthen resilient urban communities worldwide.
For more information, visit UN-Habitat.