Join The Kielder Community Design Challenge
Do you have an idea that could make a real difference in Kielder and the surrounding areas?
This is an opportunity to help shape the future..
Your ideas. Your community. Your future.
Why get involved
The Community Design Challenge, led by The Rural Design Centre, is a unique opportunity to collaborate, innovate, and accelerate ideas that address real challenges in Kielder and the surrounding area.
We are inviting residents, entrepreneurs, creators, and change-makers to submit ideas and solutions that can help address local challenges with potential to transform the community.
Get involved
Have an idea?
Let us know below. Whether it’s community focussed or a business concept, product, service, or a new take on an existing idea, we are ready to explore it with you.
As long as it will benefit Kielder and or the surrounding area.
Challenge areas
Here are some challenge areas that we believe are important.
Connection
To strengthen social, digital, and physical connections within the community?
Travel
What new mobility solutions can improve travel to and around Kielder?
Working and living
To create work opportunities and improve access to affordable housing?
Visits and stays
What fresh ideas can support the visitor economy, including innovative experiences like Dark Skies tourism and outdoor activities?
Dark skies protection and improvement
Making the skies above everyone's heads even more beautiful for the current and future generations.
Community assets
To revive redundant, closed or unused spaces and bring new life to underused places?
Other
Have an idea or solution to a challenge area that isn’t listed? We want to hear about it.
Timetable
Spring 2025
Official launch of the Kielder Community Design Challenge
Local events and meetings to share the challenge and answer questions
A fully funded Design Event in the week of 9-13th June (Venues and dates TBC) to collaborate with like-minded people, design and development experts, refine your ideas, identify sources of funding for development in 2025.
2026
Project showcase at Kielder Castle — leading into to the 100th anniversary of Kielder Forest
Let’s turn your ideas into reality!
Complete the form below and we will get back to you to discuss next steps.
