Call for Entries: IFLA Africa Conference 2027 Student Design Competition

Are you a landscape architecture student with a bold idea for the future of African landscapes? The IFLA Africa Conference 2027 Student Design Competition is now calling for entries from emerging landscape architects across the continent.

The competition offers an opportunity for students to respond creatively to contemporary environmental, social and cultural challenges through innovative and sustainable landscape design. Participants are invited to develop proposals that contribute to the ongoing conversation around resilience, identity and innovation in African landscapes.

The competition is open to students currently enrolled in Bachelor or Master of Landscape Architecture programmes at universities, colleges and other recognised institutions across Africa. Entries may be submitted individually or in teams of up to three students.

Participants are required to submit one A1 presentation board containing their project title, design concept, site context and analysis, master plan, landscape design proposal, relevant sections or elevations, perspectives or visualisations, precedent studies, sustainability strategies and a design statement of up to 300 words.

There are exciting prizes and recognition on offer:

First Place: $1,000 and a Certificate of Excellence
Second Place: $700 and a Certificate of Merit
Third Place: $600 and a Certificate of Merit

Honourable Mentions may also be awarded at the discretion of the jury.

Important Dates

Call for Entries: June 2026
Registration Opens: 1 June 2026
Submission Deadline: 31 March 2027
Jury Review: April to May 2027
Announcement of Winners: June 2027
Award Ceremony: During the IFLA Africa Symposium 2027

This is an opportunity for the next generation of landscape architects to put forward fresh ideas, challenge conventional thinking and imagine landscapes that are more sustainable, culturally grounded and responsive to Africa's future.