2024 unfolded as a year of monumental change – huge political shifts, climate injustice and global unrest. At AzuKo, we doubled down on our mission to end housing poverty. Everyone, everywhere should have a place to call home. Here’s a look back at some of our achievements, and the people and communities that make it happen:
JANUARY
For the 4th year running, we collaborated with Engineers Without Borders UK to deliver Reshaping Engineering virtual design challenge. We’re reimagining how engineering is taught and practised, to ensure a safe and just future for all.
FEBRUARY
Milestone: We’ve trained over 1,000 people (97% women) to build stronger homes, since we launched our Build for safety workshops in 2018. Subsequent home improvements have helped an additional 3,200+ family members.
“When the storm hit in the middle of the night, our roof flew off... We’ve repaired the damage and built a new kitchen with ideas from the construction training. It makes a big difference.”
MARCH
Delivered our Designing with dignity course in Devon, UK. This hands-on weekend workshop inspires students to design more ethically and collaboratively. Be the first to hear when our next course opens for registration →
APRIL
Expanded our housing and finance advice services. Women’s savings groups are the key to unlocking home improvements. By saving collectively they can distribute low-interest loans to each other, with profits remaining in their community.
MAY
Our supporters continued to ‘raise the roof’. Supporters like architecture graduate Joseph Dolden who took on 26.2 gruelling miles in the Edinburgh Marathon, to help amplify our work and raise vital funds. Interested in raising money for AzuKo in 2025? Get in touch →
JUNE
Milestone: Celebrated 10 years of AzuKo – a decade of impact. We enjoyed a wonderful evening sharing stories, connecting with supporters, and looking to the next ten years of impact. Watch the action →
JULY
Kicked off an independent needs and impact assessment to better understand housing deprivation in rural Bangladesh, and the impact of our work. We’ll continue to collect, and analyse, data through 2025.
AUGUST
Worked with the community of South Woodford in London, to build an assets map using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. The interactive map highlights what they have, and what they are lacking – from greenspace, public space, playgrounds and amenities, to sustainable kerb uses. It’s helping the community set specific targets for a sustainable future.
“The platform has helped us dig deeper into our community’s needs, their hopes and dreams for future development in South Woodford. We centred the engagement on an interactive map, which has provided rich, place-based data. We’re using the findings to shape our Design Code, and create a vision for 2040.”
SEPTEMBER
Milestone: We’ve hosted public events, attended by 5,650+ people, since AzuKo began in 2014. We’re committed to sharing our community-led approach, and inspiring others to ‘do good, better’.
OCTOBER
Announced as a finalist in the Big Syn International Film Festival (BSIFF) for ‘Building resilience’. The festival recognises charities working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their inspiring films. Watch our film →
NOVEMBER
Attended the World Urban Forum, hosted by UNHCR in Egypt. The focus was on local actions that make meaningful impact. It was an opportunity to share our work, and campaign for housing justice on a global stage.
DECEMBER
Launched our 6th Big Give fundraising campaign, raising over £21,000 to support women, and their families to build vital home improvements. Thank you to everyone who donated – we tip our hats to you!
2025 here we come! Reach out if you’d like to make a difference.