The Municipality of Elin Pelin has launched this competition with the goal of creating an accessible, safe, and functional city center that encourages an active lifestyle, social interaction, and economic growth.
Elin Pelin is a young but rapidly developing town in Bulgaria. The aim is to create a modern, sustainable, and attractive urban environment that expresses the town’s unique identity.
The total prize fund is €22,000, of which €10,000 are reserved for the First Prize. The municipality of Elin Pelin will commission a technical and working design with an estimated value of €125,000 for design services.
Elin Pelin bears the name of one of the most significant representatives of Bulgarian literature, a writer and poet who described the picturesque Bulgarian village and traditional life in Bulgaria.
The town is very close to the capital Sofia, but has its own character and identity, preferred for its peaceful life, far from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
The project is divided into two parts – the Conceptual Design of Zone 1: the City Center and the Development of Zone 2: the Surrounding Area which includes the Schematic Design of Urban Elements and Furniture.
Prizes
- 1st Prize – €10,000
- 2nd Prize – €7,000
- 3rd Prize – €3,000
- 2 Honorable Mentions – €1,000 each
Schedule
- Launch: 7th November 2025
- Deadline for questions: 30th January 2026
- Deadline for registration: 4th February 2026
- Deadline for submission: 9th February 2026
- Preparation competition materials for jurying: 10th – 13th February 2026
- Jurying: 16th February – 16th March 2026
- Announcement of the Competition Results: no later than 24 March 2026
The competition is open worldwide, and welcomes architects, urbanists, landscape architects, and multidisciplinary teams!
