#BE OPEN #Switzerland #Lugano #Design Equality #SDG 5

BE OPEN Unveils Final Winners of the Design Equality with Innovation Competition

In a remarkable event that showcases the creativity and innovation of youth, BE OPEN has officially announced the winners of the Public Vote and Founder's Choice Prizes in its seventh annual international competition titled Design Equality with Innovation. This initiative is part of a broader effort supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #5, which emphasizes gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The competition aims to inspire students and young professionals to devise innovative solutions that promote female representation and support women’s needs across various sectors. It began as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, which was endorsed by 189 UN member states at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. This declaration set forth important objectives for advancing women's roles and achieving gender parity on a global scale.

Elena Baturina, the founder of BE OPEN and a prominent entrepreneur, expressed her enthusiasm about the competition's outcomes. She remarked, "For seven consecutive years, BE OPEN has championed the UN SDGs by motivating young people around the globe to engage their creative problem-solving skills in addressing pressing global challenges. The number of inspiring and innovative entries we receive each year reinforces our belief that educating and empowering the youth is crucial for meaningful change. Our mission is to foster a new generation capable of tackling future challenges through creativity and collaboration."

This year's competition culminated with two notable awards. The Founder's Choice Prize, valued at €3,000, was awarded to a team of students from Universitas Indonesia, comprising Ellena Vianne, Tria Indah Lestari, Farida Doa Valentina, and Adnan Hasyim Wibowo, for their project, the Roots Menstrual Care System. This innovative initiative aims to provide a sustainable menstrual care solution catered particularly for the Orang Rimba indigenous community located within the lush Bukit Duabelas National Park in Sumatra. The project emphasizes an eco-friendly approach by utilizing biodegradable menstrual products made from local natural materials and aims to empower women through education and economic opportunities, all while being sensitive to the cultural needs of the community.

Additionally, the Public Vote Prize, worth €2,000, goes to graduates from the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University in India, specifically Akshat Shah, Harshavi Patel, and Aryaa Bhagwat, for their project titled Samvaad Saathi. This initiative focuses on enhancing financial inclusion for women who work as daily-wage construction workers. The project offers step-by-step guidance to help these women manage their financial resources, from opening bank accounts and registering for various pension schemes to better understanding their earnings and savings options.

All winners not only received monetary awards but were also granted access to educational opportunities that align with their project goals. Moreover, they will be fully sponsored to attend a major sustainability event to present their work to influential decision-makers and global audiences, further amplifying the impact of their innovative ideas.

As BE OPEN continues to support and encourage young innovators, this competition serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of creativity and collaboration in the quest for a more equitable future for all. By engaging the younger generations, initiatives like these aim to generate solutions that address the critical issues faced by women worldwide, highlighting the significant role of innovation in advancing gender equality and social justice.

By fostering such platforms, BE OPEN not only champions creativity but also nurtures the connections necessary for impactful societal change, proving that when empowered, the youth can lead the charge towards a sustainable and just future for all.