BE OPEN Announces Winners of the Designing Futures 2050 Competition for Sustainable Development Goals

BE OPEN Announces Winners of Designing Futures 2050

On July 4, 2025, BE OPEN revealed the final winners of its international student competition, Designing Futures 2050, which focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. This marks the sixth iteration of the competition aimed at students, graduates, and young professionals.

The competition encourages participants to reinterpret the SDGs in light of today's realities and propose actionable, scalable strategies. Participants were allowed to submit their works in three thematic categories: tackling today’s issues, envisioning tomorrow, and adapting the SDGs.

Elena Baturina, the founder of BE OPEN, commented on the conclusion of the contest, stating, "For six consecutive years, BE OPEN has dedicated itself to supporting the UN SDGs through global design and innovation competitions. Each year, we receive hundreds of remarkable, insightful, and imaginative submissions from young creatives around the world. This ongoing commitment reinforces our belief that educating and inspiring young people is the most effective way to catalyze meaningful change. Our mission is to nurture a generation capable of addressing future challenges through creativity, knowledge exchange, and collaboration."

The Founder’s Choice prize, which includes a cash award of €3,000, was awarded to Jeanne Begon-Lours and Lucy Dain-Williams, MSc students in Environmental Technology at Imperial College London, for their project titled Tera Mira: Working with Nature to Drive Meaningful Change in Stretch Textiles. Tera Mira aims to develop a biobased, biodegradable alternative to elastane derived from the natural stretching properties of seaweed. This innovative solution seeks to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels, toxicity, and microplastic pollution, while mimicking the elasticity of traditional elastane.

The title of the Public Vote prize, along with a €2,000 scholarship, went to CALM's Computer Aided Learning Management Suite by Komborero Victor Kangai and Tinotenda Chrispen Makoni, students of Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science at the High Achievers Coach International Academy of Zimbabwe. CALMS is an innovative e-learning platform designed to bridge the digital divide in Zimbabwe's educational system by utilizing Television White Spaces (TVWS) technology. This approach aims to provide a cost-effective, stable connection and offline learning opportunities, ensuring continued educational access even in under-networked areas.

In addition to the cash scholarships, all winners will gain access to relevant educational offerings and a fully funded trip to a major sustainability event to present their projects to decision-makers and a global audience.

BE OPEN's initiative is crucial in fostering innovative solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future. By engaging young minds in such significant dialogues, the organization navigates the complexities surrounding the achievement of the SDGs and empowers the next generation of change-makers. The creative approaches presented in this year’s competition showcase the boundless potential of youth when given the platform and tools to drive meaningful change.

For more information about the Designing Futures 2050 competition and the projects from this year's winners, visit the BE OPEN website.