More than 1,000 inspiring ideas, venue suggestions, and offers of support from individuals, cultural institutions, companies, universities, and other stakeholders from across the region have reached us during the Open Call. We’re thrilled about your enthusiasm to be part of this! Your contributions highlight the creative potential of the Frankfurt RheinMain region and the commitment of its citizens. Your ideas, collaborations, and our events will lay a strong foundation for developing the programme, which will take place under the theme Design for Democracy: Atmospheres for a better life in 2026.
During the next weeks, we’ll review all submitted ideas, working with an advisory council of experts from design, science, culture and public affairs to select the projects that will move forward as part of the World Design Capital 2026. This council will convene in late November 2024. Beginning of next year, we will inform applicants whether their ideas have been selected for the next stage and what comes next. Everyone who offers space, support, or engagement opportunities will also hear from us. This may take a bit longer to process than the evaluation of ideas. Beginning of next year, we will share an initial update on the programme for 2026.
Project selection is based on our programme guidelines, which include both formal and content criteria. These guidelines ensure that all ideas selected for further development reflect the core theme Design for Democracy.
Formal Project Criteria (Stage 1)
Principles of a project (Stage 2)
For us, design goes far beyond creating beautiful products or graphics; it represents shaping, creating, and the power of creativity. Our motto, Let us design how we want to live, invites everyone to play an active role in creating our living spaces and ways of life to foster a fair and diverse society. Our seven guiding principles are built on this broad understanding of design:
Strengthening democracy: A WDC project is committed to promoting democratic engagement within our society. It upholds core democratic values such as freedom of expression, equality, and diversity, and integrates these principles across different levels—whether among individuals, in groups, or within societal and institutional frameworks.
Encouraging participation: A WDC project actively involves participants at various stages and through different forms of engagement, making them co-creators. By exchanging ideas and perspectives, it strengthens civic involvement and encourages participants to take action and initiate their own long-term projects.
Breaking down barriers and embracing diversity: A WDC project is designed to be as inclusive and accessible as possible, ensuring all individuals have the opportunity to take part. Its offerings reflect the varied needs of participants, and any forms of discrimination, including racism and sexism, are firmly opposed.
Strengthening local networks: A WDC project encourages cooperation and exchange among local stakeholders, organisations, and individuals in both urban and rural areas. By sharing resources, knowledge, and skills, participants work together to develop sustainable solutions that amplify the reach and impact of each project.
Many inspiring ideas, venue suggestions, and offers of support from individuals, cultural institutions, companies, universities, and other stakeholders from across the region have reached us during the Open Call. We’re thrilled about your enthusiasm to be part of this! Your contributions highlight the creative potential of the Frankfurt RheinMain region and the commitment of its citizens. Your ideas, collaborations, and our events will lay a strong foundation for developing the programme, which will take place under the theme Design for Democracy: Atmospheres for a Better Life in 2026.
During the next weeks, we’ll review all submitted ideas, working with an advisory council of experts from design, science, culture and public affairs to select the projects that will move forward as part of the World Design Capital 2026. This council will convene in late November 2024. Beginning of next year, we will inform applicants whether their ideas have been selected for the next stage and what comes next. Everyone who offers space, support, or engagement opportunities will also hear from us. This may take a bit longer to process than the evaluation of ideas. Beginning of next year, we will share an initial update on the programme for 2026.
Project selection is based on our programme guidelines, which include both formal and content criteria. These guidelines ensure that all ideas selected for further development reflect the core theme Design for Democracy.
Formal Project Criteria (Stage 1)
Principles of a project (Stage 2)
For us, design goes far beyond creating beautiful products or graphics; it represents shaping, creating, and the power of creativity. Our motto, Let us design how we want to live, invites everyone to play an active role in creating our living spaces and ways of life to foster a fair and diverse society. Our seven guiding principles are built on this broad understanding of design:
Strengthening democracy: A WDC project is committed to promoting democratic engagement within our society. It upholds core democratic values such as freedom of expression, equality, and diversity, and integrates these principles across different levels—whether among individuals, in groups, or within societal and institutional frameworks.
Encouraging participation: A WDC project actively involves participants at various stages and through different forms of engagement, making them co-creators. By exchanging ideas and perspectives, it strengthens civic involvement and encourages participants to take action and initiate their own long-term projects.
Breaking down barriers and embracing diversity: A WDC project is designed to be as inclusive and accessible as possible, ensuring all individuals have the opportunity to take part. Its offerings reflect the varied needs of participants, and any forms of discrimination, including racism and sexism, are firmly opposed.
Strengthening local networks: A WDC project encourages cooperation and exchange among local stakeholders, organisations, and individuals in both urban and rural areas. By sharing resources, knowledge, and skills, participants work together to develop sustainable solutions that amplify the reach and impact of each project.
