What block by block does

Block by Block Foundation is a private non-profit foundation established in 2015 that operates a Minecraft-based participatory urban design methodology. The foundation originated as a 2012 partnership between UN-Habitat and Mojang Studios (the developer of Minecraft, acquired by Microsoft in 2014) and was formalized into a separate foundation entity in 2015 to scale program impact. Its core product is a 12-step methodology in which community members — typically 30–60 per session over 2–4 day workshops — use Minecraft to visualize and co-design proposed public space improvements. The methodology is codified in a freely downloadable Block by Block Playbook and has been used in more than 150 projects across 55+ countries, reaching 31,000+ community participants and impacting an estimated 3 million people.

The foundation's technology stack is intentionally lean: it relies on the commercial Minecraft platform (licensed from Mojang) rather than proprietary software, with no disclosed APIs, SDKs, or in-house AI/ML capabilities. The core deliverable is methodology and workshop facilitation, not a software product. Distribution occurs through partnerships — primarily with UN-Habitat (which oversees global project implementation), Mojang (which licenses Minecraft and provides funding from merchandise sales, $5M+ mobilized to date), and Microsoft (organizational oversight and support). On-the-ground implementation is carried out with local governments, NGOs (e.g., Kounkuey Design Initiative, SHOFCO, Plan International, AVINA Foundation), and academic institutions.

Commercially, Block by Block does not sell a product. Its $11M+ in cumulative contributions to UN-Habitat is funded by Mojang's Minecraft merchandise royalties, direct Microsoft support, and a small number of government grants (e.g., Government of Belgium for the Gaza program). The foundation is governed by a board that includes Microsoft and Mojang executives alongside the founder of BlockWorks, with no disclosed venture capital or private equity investors. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the foundation does not appear in standard commercial databases as a revenue-generating enterprise.

Name

block by block

Legal name

Block by Block Foundation

Website

https://blockbyblock.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Block by Block Foundation is a non-profit that uses Minecraft to help community members co-design public urban spaces through participatory workshops in 55+ countries, partnering with UN-Habitat, Mojang, and Microsoft.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants and Contributions: Block by Block Foundation has contributed more than $11M to UN-Habitat to support public space projects and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Funding comes from Mojang's licensed Minecraft merchandise sales (more than $5 million mobilized to date), Microsoft organizational support, and foundation operations.
2. Partnership Funding: Mojang licenses Minecraft for Block by Block Workshops and provides financial support. Microsoft provides additional support and organizational oversight. The Block by Block Foundation was formed in 2015 to amplify program impact.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Block by Block provides a Minecraft-based community engagement methodology for participatory urban planning and public space design. Through multi-day workshops (2-4 days, 30-60 participants), community residents learn to use Minecraft to visualize and co-design public spaces. The methodology is delivered through UN-Habitat program integration, local government and NGO partnerships across 55+ countries, and is made freely available via the downloadable Block by Block Playbook.

Product overview

Block by Block is a non-profit organization that operates as a single, unified methodology rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering is the Block by Block Methodology—a Minecraft-based community engagement approach for participatory urban planning—delivered through hands-on workshops facilitated by trained facilitators. The methodology is made freely available via the Block by Block Playbook, a downloadable resource guide. Projects are implemented through partnerships with UN-Habitat and local organizations worldwide. The organization does not offer software products, APIs, or technology platforms; instead, it provides the methodology, workshop facilitation guidance, and project implementation support as its primary services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Block by Block Methodology A 12-step Minecraft-based participatory urban design methodology that engages neighborhood residents — including those who don't typically have a voice in public projects — in designing public spaces using Minecraft as a 3D visualization and collaboration tool. Designed for governments, UN agencies, and NGOs.
• Block by Block Workshops Multi-day community workshops (2-4 days, 30-60 participants per session) where residents learn to use Minecraft and design public spaces in teams of 2-4. Delivered on the ground through partnerships with UN-Habitat, local governments, and NGOs.
• Block by Block Playbook A free downloadable step-by-step methodology guide that enables any organization, civic leader, or academic to independently conduct Block by Block Workshops. Provides a self-serve pathway to adopting the methodology.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3 million+ people impacted by urban revitalization projects
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

37 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Microsoft is the corporate parent of Mojang and has provided additional support as well as organizational oversight for Block by Block. The Block by Block Foundation was formed in 2015 to amplify the program's impact after Microsoft acquired Mojang.
• Block by Block FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015The Block by Block Foundation was formed in 2015 to amplify the program's impact after Microsoft acquired Mojang. It has funded and activated dozens of public space projects in more than 55 countries.
• UN-HabitatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012UN-Habitat is a founding partner that pioneered the Block by Block methodology in 2012. It is a United Nations agency working toward a better urban future, promoting socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements. UN-Habitat oversees project implementation globally and has integrated Block by Block into its programs.
• Mojang StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Mojang is the maker of Minecraft and a founding partner. Mojang licenses the use of Minecraft for Block by Block Workshops and has provided financial support from the sale of licensed Minecraft merchandise. To date, Mojang has mobilized more than $5 million from the Minecraft community to make Block by Block Workshops and projects possible worldwide.
• BlockworksminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBlockWorks, founded by James Delaney, is a collective of designers, artists, and developers from around the world with a shared passion for Minecraft. They have pioneered the use of Minecraft as a design tool and participated in Block by Block projects in Surabaya and Addis Ababa.
• ICLEI Cities Biodiversity CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Block by Block on the Addis Ababa waterfront project, contributing expertise on urban biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
• Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKDI partnered with UN-Habitat and Block by Block on the Mukuru Public Space Project in Nairobi, providing design expertise for riverbank regeneration and community space creation.
• Mukuru Youth Initiative (MuYI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Nairobi's Mukuru settlements providing community engagement and youth mobilization for the public space regeneration project.
• AVINA FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLatin American foundation committed to fostering sustainable development through innovative social programs. Partnered on Lima, Peru projects including the Women Builders Initiative.
• Ocupa tu CalleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeruvian organization ('occupy your street') focused on public space transformation. Has completed 21 small projects since its inception, benefitting more than 380,000 people across Lima.
• UN-WomenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on the Gaza Strip project utilizing digital tools to promote human rights and create inclusive public spaces, particularly for women and children.
• Addis Ababa City Administration Beautification, Parks and Cemetery Development and Administration AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner in Addis Ababa working on the waterfront park project, completing public space assessments and supporting renovation of crucial waterfront infrastructure.
• Plan InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational humanitarian organization focused on children's rights. Partnered on the Hanoi project to make streets safer for teenage girls.
• Kounkuey Design InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign nonprofit that has partnered on multiple Nairobi projects including Jeevanjee Gardens and Dandora transformation initiatives.
• Project for Public Spaces, New YorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational nonprofit dedicated to creating and sustaining public spaces. Partnered on Nairobi projects focusing on public space assessment and revitalization.
• Dandora Transformation League (DTL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community organization in Dandora, Nairobi driving neighborhood transformation through Block by Block workshops and public space projects.
• UNHCRminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees partnered on the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement project to promote integration between refugee and host communities through participatory planning.
• Turkana County GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government in northern Kenya partnered with UNHCR and UN-Habitat on the Kalobeyei settlement project focusing on public space design for social cohesion.
• Megawra-Built Environment CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEgyptian organization focused on built environment improvement. Partnered with UN-Habitat and Block by Block on restoring the Al-Khalifa Market in Cairo.
• Aldea DigitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexico's world largest digital inclusion festival. Partnered with UN-Habitat on crowdsourcing public space ideas through Minecraft competitions in Mexico City.
• Digital CivixminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on youth civic engagement. Partnered on Mexico Minecraft competitions to engage young people in urban design.
• Laboratorio Para la CiudadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexico City's experimental design lab focused on urban innovation. Partnered on Plaza Tlaxcoaque competition and uses Block by Block ideas for future public space improvements.
• Fundación HogaresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexican foundation sponsoring construction of winning Minecraft design ideas at Parque 'Valle de Puebla' in Mexicali.
• City of JohannesburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner in South Africa for the End Street North Park revitalization project, prioritizing improvements identified through Block by Block workshops.
• United Cities and Local Governments - Asia Pacific (UCLG-ASPAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal association of local governments partnered on Surabaya, Indonesia projects to educate communities on public space importance.
• Surabaya City CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government in Indonesia's second largest city, led by Mayor Tri Rismaharini, partnered on public park improvements using Block by Block methodology.
• Municipality of MitrovicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government in Kosovo partnered on the Mitrovica market neighborhood revitalization project, working across ethnic divisions.
• SHOFCO (Shining Hope for Communities)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenyan organization operating the Kibera School for Girls. Partnered with UN-Habitat and Block by Block on co-designing safe rooftop spaces.
• The Chapin SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution that participated in Training of Trainers sessions for the Kibera School for Girls Minecraft workshop project.
• League of Cities of the PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association of Philippine cities that organized the Minecraft design competition for Rizal Park in Manila with UN-Habitat.
• Kota KitaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndonesian urban development organization partnered with UN-Habitat and Block by Block on the Solo riverbank redevelopment project.
• Urban+ InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndonesian urban consultancy that partnered on the Mangkubumen Harmony Park project in Solo, Indonesia.
• Surakarta City GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government of Solo, Indonesia that partnered on redeveloping the Pepe riverbank into an accessible public park.
• Khulna City CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government in Bangladesh's industrial hub that partnered on the Solar Park revitalization project with UN-Habitat.
• Khulna UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institution in Bangladesh that joined forces with UN-Habitat and Khulna City Corporation to jumpstart public space initiatives.
• Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNepalese organization that partnered on Kirtipur and Bungamati projects in the Kathmandu Valley, including Dey Pukhu restoration.
• Kirtipur MunicipalityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner in Nepal for the traditional settlement restoration project using Block by Block methodology.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Mojang Studios: Microsoft-owned creator of Minecraft and Block by Block's technology and funding anchor. While not a competing community-engagement organization, Mojang is the most direct platform/counterparty for Block by Block's Minecraft-based methodology and brand association.
• World Resources Institute (WRI) - Ross Center for Sustainable Cities: Major global research organization running large-scale sustainable cities programs. Overlaps with Block by Block's urban-focused mission and serves overlapping municipal and donor customers, but operates via policy/technical assistance rather than community workshops.
• Habitat for Humanity: Large global housing and community development nonprofit with comparable international footprint, donor base, and UN-style partnerships. Addresses adjacent themes (housing, community empowerment, sustainable cities) but does not focus specifically on participatory public-space design.

Direct peers

• Cities of Service: Nonprofit (now part of Bloomberg Philanthropies) that helps city governments design and implement citizen-engagement initiatives. Targets the same municipal customer segment with a similar citizen-driven service-delivery methodology, though operating without the Minecraft visualization layer.
• UN-Habitat: Founding partner of Block by Block and the entity that actually implements projects on the ground. UN-Habitat operates the same urban public space mission at a much larger global scale and shares the same target customers (municipalities, vulnerable communities).
• Project for Public Spaces: Named partner of Block by Block on Nairobi projects. PPS is a nonprofit dedicated to creating and sustaining public spaces through community-driven placemaking — directly overlapping Block by Block's mission, methodology, and target customer base of municipalities and community groups.
• Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI): Design nonprofit partnered with Block by Block on multiple Nairobi projects (Mukuru, Jeevanjee Gardens, Dandora). KDI focuses on community-led design of public space in informal settlements — directly overlapping target geography, customer base, and participatory design methodology.
• UN-Habitat's Global Public Space Programme: Specific UN-Habitat programmatic unit that directly funds and scales Block by Block's workshops globally. Operates the same beneficiary base, funding model, and project methodology as Block by Block, functioning as both partner and superset of the Foundation's activities.

Regional players

• Megawra-Built Environment Collective: Egyptian built-environment nonprofit named as a Block by Block partner on the Al-Khalifa Market restoration in Cairo. Operates with the same community-engagement and historic public-space mission in a specific regional context.

Emerging players

• Tactical Urbanist Institute: Niche organization advancing tactical urbanism — quick, citizen-led public space interventions. Overlaps in the participatory public-space methodology and target audience (citizens, local governments), but focuses on lightweight street-level actions rather than Minecraft-driven design.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZI1hiobxdYLDFFzFV_GDng
• Facebookfacebook.com/BlockbyBlockFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/block-by-block-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about block by block