Celebrating Innovation and Gender Equality: BE OPEN Awards Top Prizes in Design Equality Competition

BE OPEN Announces the Winners of Its Design Equality Competition

The BE OPEN Foundation recently celebrated incredible young innovators at the seventh international Design Equality with Innovation competition. This initiative aims to foster creativity while supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By focusing on encouraging students and graduates, BE OPEN highlights the importance of innovation in building a sustainable future.

The theme for this year’s competition emphasized gender equality, aligning with SDG #5. Elena Baturina, the founder of BE OPEN, expressed her commitment to promoting solutions that empower women and girls. During the opening of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the significance of education and decent work for women in driving economic growth.

From an impressive pool of submissions, the competition's international jury, comprising experts in sustainability and environmental policy, shortlisted fifty exceptional projects before selecting the winners.

Prize Winners

1. First Prize - Norah Kimathi (Kenya)
- Project: Zerobionic
- Award: €5,000
- Description: An innovative AI-powered robotic exoskeleton aimed at improving access to STEM education for deaf and hard-of-hearing girls. Norah's background in Informatics, Computer Science, and Robotics Engineering from Strathmore University uniquely equips her to take on this challenge, enhancing educational opportunities for marginalized groups.

2. Second Prize - Victress Igboanusim (Nigeria)
- Project: Calyx-Probe
- Award: €3,000
- Description: A groundbreaking handheld diagnostic tool that utilizes AI technology to provide non-invasive reproductive healthcare. Victress is a dedicated student from Imo State University, striving to enhance healthcare access for women.

3. Third Prize - Lennox Omondi and Team (Kenya)
- Project: Ecobana
- Award: €2,000
- Description: This circular manufacturing initiative converts banana agricultural waste into biodegradable sanitary pads, addressing a crucial need for women and girls in underserved communities. Lennox and his team from St. Paul's University exemplify how innovation can solve pressing societal issues.

Elena Baturina celebrated the creativity exhibited by these young innovators, stating, "As global challenges become increasingly complex, the need for innovative solutions grows. The projects submitted are a testament to the incredible potential of young minds striving to effect change."

Next Steps

The competition also included a Public Vote and a Founder's Choice Prize, with winners set to be announced in June 2026. All awarded participants will receive grants, along with opportunities to showcase their projects at major sustainability events, connecting them with decision-makers and broader audiences. This initiative not only recognizes excellence in design and innovation but also propels these visionary projects towards real-world implementation.

In conclusion, initiatives like these by BE OPEN play a vital role in empowering the next generation to tackle critical global issues. By centering their efforts on gender equality and innovative solutions, they inspire young creatives to lead the charge towards a more equitable and sustainable future.