The first round of Gamechangers is now closed. A huge thanks to all of those who submitted a proposal for their new home facility.  We received over 70 strong entries from 24 countries, including proposals for Capoeria in Lublijana, skateboarding in Kabul, rugby in New York City, women's parcour in San Francisco, cricket for the blind in Uganda to ultimate frisbee in the West Bank. Over the next two weeks our team will review all the entries and will be asking a selected number to add additional information for potential funding. IF for some reason your idea is not selected this round it will automatically entered into rounds 2 and 3 (and you'll be able to update it post review period).

The Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom has received an amazing reception from designers, teachers, and students as they focus their creative expertise on designing the classroom of the future. The best part about this challenge is that ANYBODY can get involved. For those who are still contemplating taking part in the competition, take a look at the video for a glimpse into classrooms around the world.

Do you know of a project that uses sports to build communities and transform lives, but is in need of a ‘home court’?

GAMECHANGERS are disruptors, groups and individuals who use sports to address community issues, raise awareness and create real social change. For them it is not about winning a game, it is about using the game to change lives. We have the funding for the design and construction of innovative facilities that impact the lives of others, and are looking for bold new concepts in sports spaces that will push the envelope but are successful catalysts for social change. We don’t want to play it safe (pun intended), but look to support the raw innovation and creative spirit of projects that normally don’t often receive the support from traditional granting agents.

With more than 200 entries in the first month, the 2009 Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom is definitely on. We've been getting entrants from everywhere from Kentucky to Kabul. Last week students from partner Orient Global did their first design workshop with volunteers in Hyderabad, India.

At left: A studuent at an Orient Global school in Hyderabad, India measures his classroom as part of a workshop in conjunction with the Open Architecture Challenge.

Sadly, SIDAREC's first resource center in Pumwani, the basis for the program of the new SIDAREC Technology and Media Lab in Mukuru, was destroyed on the evening of January 28, 2009 in an electrical blaze. Thankfully, no one was hurt at the center, but very little remains. They have lost a tremendous set of resources, including the entire adult and childrens' library collection, all the computers, their meeting hall, as well as the equipment for the community radio station, Ghetto 99.9 FM. Our thoughts are with SIDAREC, and we are redoubled in our efforts to complete the new Mukuru center as soon as possible, so the organization may have a new base of operations.