The IHS Alumni Impact Award competition takes place every two years, aiming to recognise and support worldwide urban initiatives of IHS graduates. This way, IHS alumni who make an impact in their cities and communities through innovative small scale urban projects, can showcase their work and inspire other urban professionals to become change-makers. This year, the closing event and ceremony for the award take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on the 9th of October.
Meet the three finalists
This year's finalists demonstrate three different approaches to tackling urban challenges — from climate-resilient planning and environmental action to youth inclusion and the transformation of public space.
Fredrick Onyango Warega and Rex Otieno Omondi – Kenya
People’s Adaptation – Local Physical and Land Use Development Plan for Homa Bay Municipality 2025–2035
The People’s Adaptation initiative places communities at the centre of climate-resilient urban planning in Homa Bay Municipality. Through household enumeration, mapping, consultation and validation, residents are engaged as co-creators in identifying climate risks and development priorities. The approach brings the experiences of vulnerable communities — including women, youth and residents of informal settlements — into formal planning and investment processes, addressing challenges such as flooding, drought, inadequate water and sanitation, insecure housing and environmental degradation.
Tannya Pico Parra – The Netherlands/Ecuador
Ecuador’s Family-led Clean Air Observatory – Pacha Ayllu (Families of Nature)
Pacha Ayllu brings families together to become active guardians of air quality in Ecuador. The grassroots initiative translates technical information about air pollution into accessible knowledge through workshops, creative storytelling and interactive activities. Families also participate in air-quality monitoring using low-cost sensors, turning environmental data into a tool for community learning and action. The initiative aims to empower families to protect children and other vulnerable groups while contributing to cleaner and healthier communities.
Muhammad Khizer Afzaal Chaudhary – Pakistan
Urban Youth Sports Inclusion Initiative: Transforming Public Spaces into Community Assets
This initiative uses public sports infrastructure as a platform for youth development, social inclusion and community wellbeing in Punjab, Pakistan. Working through more than 600 public sports facilities, the initiative expands access to sports and recreation, supports young people through scholarships and training, and creates opportunities for community participation. Its establishment of Pakistan's first provincial Sports Endowment Fund also provides a sustainable financing mechanism for youth opportunities.
Closing event and award ceremony
Although the three initiatives respond to different challenges and contexts, they share a common principle: urban change starts with people and communities. Whether through participatory planning, family-led environmental action or inclusive public spaces, the finalists demonstrate how urban development knowledge can be translated into practical solutions that respond to local needs.
The closing event provides an opportunity to look beyond the individual projects and ask what we can learn from these experiences — and how locally rooted initiatives can inspire wider approaches to inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development.
Programme
The event is designed as a half-day programme, combining a workshop centred around the three finalist initiatives, with a festive award ceremony and networking drinks.
14:00 - 14:20 Welcome and Introduction
14:20-15:50 Finalists' presentation & Workshop
Discover & exchange
Meet the three finalists and discover the challenges, approaches and experiences behind their initiatives. Take part in a workshop bringing together alumni, practitioners, students and partners to exchange ideas and perspectives on urban impact.
15:50-16:00 Break
16:00-18:00 Award ceremony & networking drinks
Celebrate & Connect
Join us for the IHS Alumni Impact Award 2026 ceremony, where the winner will be announced. Continue the conversation over networking drinks with the finalists and the wider IHS community.
Join the event
Come and celebrate the people turning urban knowledge into action, meet inspiring IHS alumni, discover practical examples of urban impact, exchange ideas with fellow urban professionals and help us celebrate the next chapter of the IHS Alumni Impact Award.
The registration form will open soon.