This year’s overall winning submission by Adama Traoré, reimagines workspaces for vulnerable youth.
This submission is a solar-powered, mobile co-working and training pod bringing digital access, entrepreneurship, and creativity to underserved youth and women in Mopti, Mali. Where work, learning, and hope meet.
Meet Tk Hybrid Pod
The Pod in Action
In the heart of Mopti, Mali, a region marked by socio-political challenges and limited employment opportunities, young people often find themselves disconnected from education, innovation, and employment. This proposal introduces a hybrid community hub model: a Third Place where youth can work, learn, collaborate, and innovate outside of traditional settings.
The concept reimagines unused buildings and local cultural structures into vibrant digital and physical third places equipped with solar-powered internet, coworking spaces, mental health support, and creative labs (for soap-making, coding, and art). This model fosters empowerment, boosts productivity, and encourages local entrepreneurial ventures through tailored mentorship and community-driven learning.
Inspired by Africa’s resilience and the innovation potential of its youth, this space will feature:
- Hybrid work pods for remote collaboration or business development
- Digital literacy training and AI workshops
- Wellness corners and safe spaces for trauma-affected youth
- Integration with local artisans and producers to bridge tradition and tech
- Modular design with sustainable materials, adaptable to community needs
By making this third place open, inclusive, and tech-enabled, we connect the unconnected, ensuring even the most marginalized have a chance to shape their future.
This project aligns with the competition’s vision to inspire the future of work environments and offers a replicable model for other vulnerable regions across Africa and beyond.
Meet Adama Traoré
- Student at Intec Sup, Bamako, Mali
- Master’s in Project Evaluation & Management (July 2026)
WDM: What’s next for you?
AT: This summer, I will be working on the pilot phase of my project Tk Hybrid Pod in Mopti, Mali, engaging with local partners and laying the groundwork for implementation. In the fall, I will continue my Master’s degree in Project Evaluation and Management at Intec Sup in Bamako while expanding my community initiatives to empower vulnerable youth.
We’ll check back in with Adama after he attends IFMA’s World Workplace this Fall.
The 2025 Next Work Environment Student Competition is generously supported by the following partners.
Tango is a leading provider of Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS), trusted by thousands of global businesses to optimize space management, lease portfolios, facilities maintenance, and more. As the future of work continues to evolve, Tango’s innovative software helps organizations navigate this change, offering solutions for office reservation, visitor management, energy and sustainability, and construction project oversight. With a focus on flexibility and efficiency, Tango empowers businesses to stay agile in a dynamic environment, providing the insights and tools needed to make informed decisions and drive operational success.
Kimball International is a leading commercial furnishings company with deep expertise in the Workplace, Health, and Hospitality markets. For over 70 years, our brands have seized opportunities to customize solutions into personalized experiences, turning ordinary spaces into meaningful places. Our family of brands includes Kimball, National, Etc., Interwoven, David Edward, Kimball Hospitality, and D’style.
National, a brand of Kimball International, joined the contract office furniture market in 1980 with a goal to be a standout. Determined to offer customers a better value with shorter lead times, National created a brand by successfully delivering innovative products that were on budget and on time. Today, that foundation still holds true. Our exceptional value, combined with design-driven products, on-time delivery, and our dedication to customer experiences has established us as a leader in the furniture industry.
Allwork.Space is the leading digital media platform dedicated to the Future of Work. For over 20 years, we’ve provided in-depth coverage, expert insights, and innovative solutions for professionals navigating the evolving workplace landscape. Our platform serves leaders in flexible work, workplace strategy, HR, coworking, and commercial real estate, helping them stay ahead of industry trends. Through our news, research, and partnerships, we empower businesses to shape the future of work.
Special thanks to our 2025 industry Partners:
