Expression of Interest: Local Learning Studio

Invitation to Participate

The SDGs Local Learning Studio  invites built environment educators, recent graduates,  students  and communities to participate in the urgent task of ensuring a better-designed, healthier, more resilient, and equitable planet. Our focus is the localisation of the SDGs in communities where participants live, study or work, and the sharing of design and research knowledge.   Expressions of Interest for LLS cycle 1 are due October 15.   The website explains the 'what' and the 'how' of the project, which includes an emphasis on community engagement. It also includes a Resource Hub.

Background information:

The SDGs  Local Learning Studio is a global challenge and resource hub for  educators, students, and early-career professionals with a focus on the built environment.  Our aim is to empower the next generation of designers, creatives and researchers to help realize  the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through local design and research initiatives. 

The built environment disciplines—encompassing architecture, urbanism, landscape architecture, planning, and related fields—have enormous potential to advance all 17 SDGs. Yet much of the industry remains unaware of this transformative power.

In 2015, 193 countries adopted the SDGs and Agenda 2030—a bold, shared blueprint for a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous world. As the 2030 deadline approaches, urgent action is critical. For the built environment disciplines SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13: Climate Action are especially vital but all of the Goals are critical for shaping an environmentally and socially sustainable future. The New Urban Agenda supports the implementation of sustainable urbanization. UN Habitat, the UN agency concerned with human settlements, works towards a better urban future for all.

We invite educators, students and communities worldwide to contribute exciting local projects that explore how built environment design and research can drive meaningful and transformative change.  We invite communities who would benefit from academic partnerships to contact us.  This pilot project is the start of a five-year initiative that will:

• Showcase outstanding local work on this website

• Provide curated learning resources

• Support participation in global events such as the UN-Habitat World Urban Forums

• Provide publication opportunities.

Our aim is to build a globally connected, locally oriented community of SDG-savvy change-makers with the knowledge and skills to engage in interdisciplinary design, creative work and research with real-world impact for people.

We do not expect academic programs to create new curricula specifically for this initiative, but welcome participation as an option for integrating SDGs into ongoing teaching and learning.

This project is led by:

Project directors: Anna Rubbo (USA), Natalie Mossin (Denmark) and Jacqueline Klopp (USA)

Associate Directors: Pernille Barnheim (Denmark), H Y William Chan (Australia), Sherif Goubran (Egypt), Vera Tangari (Brazil), Silvia Vercher Pons (USA/Spain)

For more information about the program please see the following link:

SDGs Local Learning Studio | Our mission is to localize the Sustainable Development Goals.

Closing date: 15 October 2025