An idea that changes the way we see the city

In today’s urban reality, “Riciklo Kreativ” returns for its fifth edition as an invitation to think differently. The student ideas competition, which this year explores the theme of “Urban Sculpture” through the lens of “urban dialogue,” is developed by FAU | UPT, with the support of Mane Foundation and Tirana East Gate (TEG).

This is not a typical architecture competition. It is a process of reflection on the city, on what we produce and what we choose to discard.

How to become part of Riciklo Kreativ

For students of architecture, urbanism, and design, “Riciklo Kreativ” offers a concrete opportunity to be part of a project with real impact. Applications are submitted online via the form in this link.

The deadline for registration is June 1, 2026, and participation is open to students from Albania, the region, and across Europe, either individually or in groups of up to three members. Participation in the competition is free of charge.

Prizes that reward creativity

Beyond the experience and professional exposure, the competition rewards the best ideas with monetary prizes:

· €800 – First place

· 2 prizes of €500 – Second places

· 3 prizes of €400 – Third places

All participants who reach the exhibition stage will receive certificates of recognition, while the winning projects will be promoted by FAU, Mane Foundation, and TEG—providing students with a real platform to showcase their work.

Riciklo Kreativ – an architecture competition with a different philosophy

“Riciklo Kreativ” is more than just a design competition. It represents a new way of thinking about materials, space, and environmental responsibility.

At its core lies the idea that waste is not the end of an object, but a transitional phase waiting to be reimagined.

Students are invited to take abandoned materials and transform them into sculptures that not only exist visually, but also “speak.”

The competition has a dual purpose:

· To bring students into direct contact with recyclable materials and raise awareness about excessive urban waste production

· To encourage the creation of artistic works that serve the community, made entirely from recycled materials

Urban sculpture as a dialogue with the citizen

In this competition, urban sculpture is not treated merely as an aesthetic form, but as a message that communicates directly with the public. Each piece becomes a reflection on how we consume and the footprint we leave on the environment, transforming what is often perceived as “waste” into something that provokes thought. Through this process, art takes on a deeper role—it is not simply something to observe, but a meeting point between the individual and urban space. In this way, the sculptures create an open dialogue with the public and contribute to building a new collective awareness around environmental responsibility.

From idea to exhibition – the experience at TEG

One of the most important moments of “Riciklo Kreativ” is the transformation of ideas into a tangible public experience through the exhibition of projects within TEG. Visitors are not merely spectators, but active participants in this creative narrative: they have the opportunity to explore the models up close, understand the process of transforming recycled materials into urban concepts, and experience their potential in a real context. The inclusion of public voting, alongside the evaluation by a professional jury, makes this experience more inclusive and creates a direct connection between creators and citizens.

A real-world dimension: Rolling Hills by the Lake

To make the competition more concrete and closely connected to reality, this year students are invited to imagine their projects as part of a real space: the square of the Rolling Hills by the Lake development, located in the Farka area.

This new approach adds a practical dimension to the competition, challenging students to think not only conceptually, but also in relation to a real urban and architectural context. In this way, the proposed works gain potential not only as ideas, but also as projects that could be implemented in the future.

In its fifth edition, “Riciklo Kreativ” at TEG confirms that the city is not only a space to live in, but also a space to reflect and to create.

By giving new life to waste, this architecture competition developed by FAU with the support of Mane Foundation and Tirana East Gate (TEG) does not only produce sculptures—it generates ideas that can reshape the way we build the future