Questions, answered.

A structured event where people work in teams on one real problem. Participants learn about the problem, research one part of it, and build a simple practical response with help from mentors.

Problems affecting people from disadvantaged communities. Examples include debt, financial hardship, affordable housing, access to jobs and useful skills, access to technology, digital exclusion and access to public services. The trustees approve each problem before a programme runs.

A simple practical response. That could be a website, a guide, a toolkit, a prototype, a simple digital tool, a research report or a public information resource. It does not need to be a finished product.

No. Participants are given the training that is useful for the work they are doing. That may include research, using digital tools, no-code tools, basic coding, artificial intelligence tools, design and presenting.

No. We give participants information about the problem. Teams can ask questions, challenge speakers and mentors, disagree with each other and choose different approaches. Teams decide what to build and explain the evidence behind their decision.

No. The Foundation does not provide formal qualifications. Participants may receive a certificate showing that they took part. It is not an academic or professional qualification.

The team does. The Foundation does not take equity or shares in participant projects. Where work is useful to the wider community, the Foundation may publish or share it.

London 2026 took place on Sunday 7 June 2026. The next date has not been announced. Sign up to our updates and you will hear as soon as applications open.

People who face social or economic disadvantage. That includes people from low-income households, people experiencing financial hardship, people who are unemployed or underemployed, and people with limited access to technology, training, mentors or professional networks.

Yes, where they fall within the group the Foundation is trying to help. Being young or being a student on its own is not enough.

Where places are limited, applications are assessed against clear criteria. Priority is given to applicants who have greater need and less access to similar opportunities. We use self-declaration and the information in your application, and we do not ask for unnecessary personal information.

Programmes are free where funding allows. Where funding allows, the Foundation may also cover things that remove barriers to taking part, such as software, equipment, food and travel.

No. Participants are not selected because of their political or religious views, and the Foundation does not require anyone to support a party, policy, campaign, company or particular solution.

A UK charity, currently in registration with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Its purpose is community capacity building: developing the capacity and skills of people from socially and economically disadvantaged communities, in particular through buildathons, mentoring and practical programmes.

No. The Foundation does not take shares in participant projects, does not operate a venture capital fund and does not invest in participant businesses as part of a buildathon. If a participant later starts a business using an idea they worked on, that is separate from the charitable programme.

The Foundation was founded by Adil Abbuthalha, who serves as Director. It is overseen by a board of trustees chaired by Iman Sayam. The trustees approve each buildathon before it runs.

For knowledge or experience that is useful to the programme. That may be a debt adviser, a housing worker, a researcher, a designer, a software developer or a person with direct experience of the problem. People are not invited mainly to advertise themselves, their company or their products.

No. The Foundation is independent.

Our donation platform is launching soon. Until then, contact us directly and we will arrange your contribution with you.

Running buildathons and related programmes: venues, materials, mentoring, research, and the costs that remove barriers to taking part, such as software, equipment, food and travel.

Charity registration is currently in process with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Once approved, donations from UK taxpayers may qualify for Gift Aid, increasing the value of your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you.

Yes. Organisations can help with funding, venues, tools, speakers and mentors. Charities and community groups can also share the opportunity with people who meet the criteria. Email us to start a conversation.

We comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. We only collect data we need, never sell it, and give you full control over your information. See our privacy policy for full details.

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