Context

Barcelona has been named by UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture 2026. The Capitality is a great event focused on the dissemination of values and the transformative capacity of architecture, urbanism and landscaping. It is an opportunity to promote our historical and contemporary heritage and project Catalan architecture around the world.

The World Capital of Architecture for 2026 will feature a vast array of activities across Barcelona’s 10 districts in order to decentralize the programme and connect with all the city’s residents. Most of the events will take place over the course of 10 months, between mid-February and mid-December, on an itinerary that will span from Santa Eulàlia to Santa Llúcia festivities.

Description and aim

In order to complete the program, we have launched this call for proposals, promoted by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe - Barcelona City Council, which invites all the entities and institutes dedicated to architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture and interior design, but also those of other technical, scientific, social, humanities and artistic disciplines, to participate in the creation of  the program aimed at showcasing the values and transformative capacity of architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture. This call also seeks to promote the heritage and architecture of Barcelona and Catalonia around the world for the event entitled Barcelona 2026 - World Capital of Architecture UNESCO-UIA.

The proposals can be linked to the programme of Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture UNESCO-UIA if they promote activities of general interest and aim to:

  • Facilitate quantitative and/or qualitative cultural growth in the city in terms of architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture.
  • Enrich the reflection and debate about the impact that architecture has on the local residents’ quality of life.
  • Reinforce the essential bond between the built city and its inhabitants.
  • Promote the social and cultural values of architecture.
  • Showcase the tangible and intangible architectural cultural heritage in the city.
  • Recognize the values of architecture, public spaces and urban landscaping from diverse disciplines.
  • Encourage the cooperation of agents dedicated to raising awareness about architecture with organizations and educational, cultural and/or entrepreneurial entities in the city.
  • Promote, defend and guarantee the rights of residents under equitable conditions in order to guarantee equality of opportunity and non-discrimination and to promote an intercultural perspective.

Proposals that can be organized

Applicants may submit any type of event that enriches the debate on the impact of architecture on society and the recognition of architectural and cultural heritage or any of the goals listed in these terms and conditions. The activities have an open format and can include: 
 

  • Individual or group artistic installations/events (dance, photography, theater, music, performances, and more) connected to architecture.
  • Exhibitions
  • Debates/conferences
  • Presentations of books/publications, or other literary, sociological or humanistic activities linked to architecture.
  • Screenings of films/documentaries
  • Guided routes and visits.
  • Open houses at architectural studios or entities that promote architecture.
  • Open classrooms / workshops / public activities organized by architecture or design schools.
  • Training and outreach workshops/activities promoted with organizations, civic centers, institutes, school, adult training centers, and more.
  • Other types of activities that fit within the content listed in the call for proposals.

The proposals must meet the following requirements:
 

  • The proposals must have goals that are in line with those set forth in the call for proposals.
  • The proposals must take place between 12 February and 13 December 2026.
  • The proposals must take place within the city limits of Barcelona, with a district-wide or city-wide scope, or outside the city if the proposal is linked with other proposals that are carried out within Barcelona, or if the proposal promotes the city’s visibility abroad.
  • The proposals must be in line with the city’s values, policies and practices.
  • The proposals must abstain from sexist and/or discriminatory language.

Who can participate?

The call for proposals is intended for entities or natural or legal persons of any national or international background who, from their discipline, whether or not it is directly related to architecture, want to carry out a proposal within the programme of Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture UNESCO-UIA.

Rights and modalities of participation

In order to form part of the programme of the Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture, the selected proposals must meet the following criteria: 

  • Applicants must coordinate with the Technical Office of Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture, formed by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe - Barcelona City Council, to ensure the proper implementation and communications concerning the proposal.
  • The selected proposals will be included in the programme of Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture.
  • These proposals will form part of the general communications of Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture.
  • The proposals must have visibility on the Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture social media platforms.
  • The proposals will be promoted through the agenda and communications of the Barcelona City Council.
  • The proposals must include the official visual material of Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture if they are to be posted on the applicants’ proprietary media platforms. 

The proposals submitted to form part of the programme of the Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture can select between three modalities of participation:

How to participate?

You must register your proposal through the form that you can find available on the website until 11:59 p.m. on 15 October 2024

Download the rules (PDF)

Participate

Calendar

Call for proposals From 5 September until 15 October at 11:59 p.m. in order to submit the proposals.
Decision on the call for proposals 9 December 2024

Assessment of the proposals

The following criteria will be taken into account:

QUALITY OF THE PROPOSAL
  • The cultural interest and originality of the proposal will be valued.
  • The coherence of the proposal in relation with activities, the calendar, goals and results.
  • The viability of the proposal, in relation to the necessary resources (human, material and economic).
  • Communications strategy and the strategy to raise awareness about the proposal.
SOCIAL BENEFITS AND CONNECTION WITH THE CITY
  • Local involvement and engagement with the districts.
  • Activities that facilitate inclusion, both in terms of the target audience as well as the language and accessibility services.
  • Networking, promoting and connecting the educational and/or cultural sector of the city.
  • Clear commitment to local professionals.
IMPACT
  • Relevance of the proposal and the possibility of enhancing the training and knowledge of the people participating.
  • Adaptation to the social and cultural reality and to the needs of the target audience.
  • Improve awareness among the general population concerning the purpose of the project.
  • Improved level of access to the project information (the use of new technologies will be valued positively).
  • Internationalization: international collaboration and/or connections will be evaluated.
GENDER AND INTERCULTURAL PERSPECTIVE, ALONG WITH AN ECOSOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE The committee will assess how this perspective is included in the content of the proposal (taking into account the objectives, activities, target audience, values promoted), along with specific actions with environmental and social benefits.
EXPERIENCE (NATURAL OR LEGAL PERSON) History of the organization and/or the people who make up the team in the development and implementation of similar proposals over the last 3 years.

The proposals submitted to form part of the programme of Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture will be assessed by a selection committee, formed by

  • the chief architect of the Barcelona City Council, Maria Buhigas
  • the director of the Fundació Mies van der Rohe, Anna Ramos
  • the coordinator of the World Capital of Architecture, Ninoska Juan
  • three independent experts in the field of architectural research and popular education.

We look forward to your proposal, participate!

Participate

Organized by

Ajuntament de BarcelonaFundació Mies van der Rohe BarcelonaUIAUnesco