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PO Box 1446186 Smith St, CollingwoodVictoria 3065 AustraliaTel/Fax +61 3 9873 3706probono@architectsforpeace.or
 
gwww.architectsforpeace.org
Pro bono working group policy
Architects for Peace (arch-peace) officially launched the Pro Bono Service on 24 August 2006, placingthe organisation as an intermediary for professionals of the built environment to community groups,non-profit agencies and charitable organizations in Australia and internationally.
1. The pro-bono vision
 
The right to a good city:
pro bono enables our members to take concrete steps to achieve ourshared vision of sustainable development, which includes engaging with current urban/politicaldebates and the prevention of human-made disasters.The pro bono service provides options to those who could not otherwise afford them. At the sametime, this process facilitates the promotion and discussion of architecture and planning in relation to itsimpact on people, their health and their cities. We hope that this service will assist in promotingeducation, community participation and finding solutions to our damaged environment.
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The reasons for providing this service are many and include:
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The perceived and real social divide in the use of architectural services
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The perceived notion that architecture is dispensable and deals only with aesthetics
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The public’s general unawareness of the impact of architecture, urban design and planning onthe way we use and live in our cities
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The reality that urban professional disciplines are responsible for up to 75% of greenhousegases emissions
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The desire of arch-peace professionals to assist in the creation of more democratic, fair andbetter cities for all, wherever we are based
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The fact that in Australia, we lag behind other professions that already recognise the value ofoffering their professional services to those who cannot otherwise afford them (e.g. law andmedicine)Our vision is to see that all professionals of the built environment dedicate a portion of their time andresources to pro bono work. Our service is in place to facilitate and promote these efforts.
 
2. How it works
 
The relationship
The arch-peace pro-bono service acts as a bridge between 'clients' (these may be community groups,non-profit agencies and charitable organisations that may need architectural services but cannotafford to pay for them) and 'service providers' (architects and other professionals of the builtenvironment who are prepared to work with these groups free of charge). The main contractualrelationship is between Client and Service Provider, with arch-peace establishing the initial connectionand playing an ongoing facilitating role. These relationships are illustrated in the following diagram:We understand that many designers already undertake pro-bono work for a variety of reasons, but inthe past there has been no forum in Australia dedicated to promoting and sharing their experiences.Others may be deterred from undertaking such work due to concerns regarding liability. With the helpof professional legal advice (provided pro-bono by Clayton Utz Pty Ltd) Architects for Peace hasdeveloped a client-architect agreement specifically tailored to our pro-bono service. Through ourwebsite and other promotion channels we promote the work that emerges from partnershipsgenerated through our pro-bono service, offering valuable networking opportunities and rewardingexperiences to our service providers.Although we have generalised criteria, a specific target is developed for each project at the outset aswe believe each project is unique in its requirements.
architectsforpeace
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urban development based on social justice, solidarity, respect and peace
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australia2009-2-13
 
The application process
A request for pro bono services reaches a member of the working group (requests should be made tothe coordinator; contact details are supplied on our website). We will provide the organisation makingthe request with a form outlining the information that we require. Once we receive the completedform, we will respond within 7 days with an acknowledgement letter/ email. The information is thenposted to our intranet database for assessment by the working group.Approval of a project requires the support of the pro bono group coordinator and at least two othermembers of the working group. A project can be approved in this way via intranet communication. Ifthe coordinator decides that the complexity of the project warrants a more detailed assessment, it maybe taken to a committee meeting. We endeavour to finalise the approval of a project and respond tothe applicant within 14 days of receiving the application form. If for any reason we are unable to grantapproval within this time frame, the applicant will be contacted and notified of their application’s status.Sometimes we require further information to determine eligibility and suitability of the project.Once an application is approved, details of the project are posted on our website where we call forexpressions of interest.
Selection criteria
For Clients 
Clients and their projects will be assessed against the following criteria to determine eligibilityfor the arch-peace pro bono service:
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both the Client and the proposed project operate on a not-for-profit basis
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there is a clear community benefit expected to result from the provision of pro bonoarchitectural services
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the Client has a clear understanding of the scope of the project and a demonstrated abilityto fund the proposed project (or a clear plan of how funding will be secured)
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the Client has a track record of successfully managing projects or activities of a similarscale
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the Client is not currently receiving fee-based architectural services and/or does not havean existing relationship with an architect or architectural firm.
architectsforpeace
|
urban development based on social justice, solidarity, respect and peace
|
australia2009-2-13
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