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Solutions to most of the world’s housing challenges already exist, but most communities do not have access to the knowledge, support, expertise and experience to make full use of them.

At World Habitat we are committed to finding and sharing good practice from around the world to facilitate positive change by bringing people together and helping them learn and exChange. As the climate emergency and global events such as forced migration and epidemics impact greater numbers of people than ever before, it’s never been more important to adapt solutions and overcome the most pressing housing needs and get them to where they are needed most.

What is exChange?

exChange activities are carried out each year to encourage the spread of innovative housing practice around the world and to exchange and transfer knowledge and experience. It’s an opportunity to bring together world-leading housing experts to collaborate with other organisations working on similar challenges.

Over the years, we have organised more than 40 in-person peer exchange events, including for World Habitat Award-winning projects, and the organisations we are working with as part of our work.

exChange events are carried out each year with:

  • Global Community-led Housing partner projects
  • End Street Homelessness Campaign leading organisations across Europe
  • World Habitat Award-winning projects;

Each year the World Habitat Awards competition recognise around ten projects that provide practical, innovative solutions that address housing needs, with a particular focus on the human right to adequate housing and the environment. More than 365 outstanding World Habitat Award finalists have been recognised over the last 35 years, demonstrating substantial, lasting improvements in living conditions that can inspire others.

In order to encourage the spread of innovative housing practice around the world and to exchange and transfer knowledge and experience, our exChange events provide an opportunity to bring together world-leading housing experts and to collaborate with other organisations working on similar challenges.

Over the years, we have organised more than 40 in-person peer-exchange events. Now the exChange process is more diverse, adapting to the Gold winners’ needs and preferences and we provide tailored support during the following year after winning the award. Therefore, this collaboration is now different from one project to another. Visit World Habitat Awards ExChange for some examples of the bespoke support we have provided to gold winners in recent years.

Why exChange?

Those participating in our exChange programme have the opportunity to gain practical, in-depth understanding of the technical, social and financial aspects of housing solutions and adapt and transfer relevant elements of different approaches to make real change happen in their own context.

Our activities help turn ideas onto reality, pilots into programmes and take successful housing projects from the margins into the mainstream. As a result, we have published over 100 housing publications and research documents which are available to download.

Typically, groups and individuals participating in exChange events raise the profile of their organisation but more importantly often see their ideas, that were once concepts, come to life and be elevated to wider and conventional issues. By collaborating with some of the best minds we very often see that leads to some of the most innovative housing solutions.

Who can exChange?

exChange is open to anyone with an interest in exchanging and transferring ideas, methods and proposals in relation to housing solutions. Whilst some exChange activities are open to the general public, others are by invitation only.

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