2024: Year in review

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.”

— Bobita (Bangladesh)

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.”

— Pearl (UK)

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.

An emphasis on collaboration

We’re so pleased to welcome Esther Ardagh-Ptolomey to our team, as Head of Operations. Esther’s expertise spans financial management, community development, and driving systemic change. Passionate about empowering communities and creating meaningful impact, she is driven by AzuKo’s mission of improving living conditions and tackling poverty through participatory design.

Hear from Esther…

• Tell us a little about yourself, and your passions

I bring over 20 years of experience in charity leadership and operations, with a strong focus on strategic planning, governance, and stakeholder engagement.

I’ve worked with some wonderful organisations, large and small, such as Shelter, RSPCA, Freegle, and AbScent. I enjoy travel abroad, and when in the UK I'm often found travelling around in my caravan with my mischievous rescue dog from Greece. 

• What inspires you about AzuKo?

For me, the primary appeal of AzuKo is its emphasis on collaboration, listening to communities, and co-creating solutions. As an approach, I find this far more powerful than imposing solutions to problems as they may be perceived from the 'outside'.

• What are you most excited about for AzuKo’s work and impact in 2025?

“I’m excited to see how our projects empower even more communities to take ownership of their living conditions. From sustainable housing solutions to innovative partnerships, I look forward to seeing the ripple effects of our work.”

• What challenges lie ahead this year for charities like AzuKo?

Charities face mounting challenges such as reduced funding, rising operational costs, and a growing demand for services. The current economic climate means we need to be more innovative and resourceful than ever, finding new ways to maximise impact with limited resources.

• Where do you hope AzuKo will be in 10 years?

AzuKo will be a global leader in participatory design, inspiring others to prioritise community-led solutions. I’d love to see AzuKo working in new regions, building strong networks, and continuing to achieve a measurable improvement in housing conditions.

“Together, we can create a brighter future and make a real difference in the fight against housing poverty.”

• Do you have a message for AzuKo supporters?

Thank you for being part of AzuKo’s journey. Your support, in whatever form it takes, is what makes AzuKo's work possible – whether that’s donating, spreading the word, or simply sharing in our vision. I’ll be playing my part, and I hope you’ll continue to support AzuKo in your own way.

Learn more about AzuKo’s team →

Will you bake to build?

It’s time to preheat the oven, flour your rolling pin, and host a festive bake sale for AzuKo! Take part in our Bake to Build event with friends, at your office, school or in your community. All funds raised will support our ‘Pathways to home improvements’ programme, which helps women to build climate-resilient homes in rural Bangladesh.

AND… if you host your bake sale before 10th December 2024, you can donate your funds via our Big Give campaign so your donation will be DOUBLED. How amazing is that!? One donation, twice the impact!

For more information, and to download a free bake sale pack, visit our event page: