Open Calls

• Financial contribution: €80,000 (one project per city)
• Duration: 8-months
• Activities Funded:
  • Facility upgrades and equipment acquisition
  • Technical support and mentorship for artists/designers
  • Prototyping and materials testing
  • Public workshops and demonstrations
  • Travel, training, and dissemination activities

• Mandatory in-person participation:
  • One or more meetings with YouRban experts (remote or in-person, dates TBD) to create a mentoring plan
  • Visit to the Urban Factory in the other pilot city (dates TBD)
  • Milan Urban Factory – 10-day event in Milan (September 2025)
  • Mid-term review (Oct 2025 – Feb 2026)
  • Barcelona Urban Factory – 10-day event in Barcelona (April 2026)
• Application Deadline: 30 July 2025, 17:00 (Brussels Time)

• Submit via Kartu platform
• Use the official YouRban proposal template OC2
• Proposals must be in English
• Only one submission per applicant is allowed

As long as the project also contains recycled GFRP, the integration of other materials is possible.

All EU citizens.
The eligible applicants are natural persons, professionals and companies as single partners or small consortia, formed by maximum two legal entities of any EU countries. 

Yes, two individuals can apply together as a team.
Each applicant must submit a personal CV, as this is mandatory for individuals. Please note that the total project budget is €17,500, which is shared between both applicants to carry out the project activities. The budget is allocated per project, not per person.

In Barcelona, the proposal does not need to be tied to a specific site, so it’s free in format, size, and location.
It can be conceived to be placed anywhere in the city. However, please note that if the project involves an installation in public space during the 8-month residency, the artist or creator will be responsible for obtaining the necessary permit from the city hall or relevant district authority.

Yes. The locations mentioned in the Open Call are suggestions. They represent the type of spaces and neighborhoods that can be considered. Applicants are welcome to propose other areas in the city if they have a different idea in mind. The suggested locations for Milan are not mandatory — they are simply meant to provide context and inspiration for the challenge.

OC1 winners are expected to be present at the 10-day events at the beginning and end of the project and also at the mid-term review period (no specific dates set yet but expected some time between Oct 2025 to Feb 2026). At a certain point there can be a certain flexibility with the presence but it’s important to keep in mind that working in the Fablabs/Urban Factories is encouraged, especially because they support learning processes and the development of your project. These spaces are helpful for several reasons: they provide proper equipment for handling materials, ensure safe storage, and address health and safety issues that may arise during production. They also offer an opportunity to learn and experiment with new techniques.

No, in Barcelona, the approach is different. Participants are expected to define their own problem — it can be at any scale and doesn’t need to be tied to a specific neighborhood or site. The design process should respond to that self-defined issue, and the solution can even be abstract. Unlike Milan, where challenges are more site-specific, Barcelona encourages a broader, more open-ended exploration. The two approaches are meant to complement each other.

The material properties of recycled reinforced plastics vary depending on several factors, such as fiber length, distribution, and the original material characteristics. Since the recycling process is mechanical, the outcome depends on these variables. It’s difficult to give a fixed answer because the properties are not uniform.

However, if you are selected through the Open Call, you’ll receive mentorship to better understand how to work with this material. The recycled plastic can be used in various sectors — from design to automotive and construction — and its properties can be adjusted during reprocessing. For example, you can improve the material by adding small amounts of virgin fibers or other additives.

If you’re interested in examples, you can refer to the Fibereuse project, which showcases different applications of this recycled material.

Barcelona:
There are no strict legal barriers for temporary structures in public spaces. However, your design must follow basic safety and structural requirements and check with local authorities if there are permit needed. For example, it should be stable, able to withstand weather conditions (like wind and rain), and safe for public interaction. If the installation affects pedestrian movement, appropriate protective measures may be needed.

Milan:
Yes, in Milan, placing anything in public space generally requires a permit — especially if it involves using the city’s soil. However, since the prototypes are temporary (intended to remain for only 1–3 days), requirements may vary depending on the size, location, and duration of the project. These aspects will be worked out during the 8-month residency, with support provided to navigate the permit process as needed.