BE OPEN Unveils Winning Projects from the Designing Future 2050 Competition at COP30

On November 14, BE OPEN, a think tank committed to fostering creativity among the youth, presented the outcomes of its recent student competition, Designing Future 2050, at the HiHouse Studio in the Green Zone of the UN Climate Conference COP30. This event highlighted the innovative pitches of five winning teams, all of whom were challenged to rethink and reshape the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda based on current realities.

The primary goal of the Designing Future 2050 initiative is to inspire young creatives to go beyond the SDG agenda for 2030 and engage actively in developing and implementing realistic and sustainable action plans for their future. During her speech at the event, BE OPEN's founder, Elena Baturina, emphasized the importance of equipping the younger generation with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to tackle serious challenges. She stated, "The future rests on the shoulders of young people. To enable them to address the serious challenges ahead, we must provide them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools needed to navigate local and global issues, leading the way toward a more sustainable world for everyone."

Baturina also highlighted the ongoing commitment of BE OPEN to collaborate with schools and universities worldwide over the past six years to raise awareness of the SDGs by recognizing and promoting sustainable ideas generated by youth. "This conference serves as an exceptional opportunity to bring talented young individuals from all corners of the world together with decision-makers, offering them a range of opportunities," she added.

Designing Future 2050 represents the sixth international competition organized by BE OPEN since 2019, following themes related to SDGs #2, #7, #11, #12, #13, and #17. Each competition aims to integrate the principles of sustainability into the approaches and aspirations of emerging professionals while encouraging them to craft their own innovative solutions. Currently, an ongoing competition titled Design Equality with Innovation is dedicated to SDG #5 and is accepting submissions until the end of 2025.

Each year, BE OPEN awards the best projects with cash prizes, honorary mentions, opportunities for publications, access to educational resources, and a chance to present their winning projects at significant international sustainability events. Through these initiatives, BE OPEN aspires to inspire the youth to take charge of their future by encouraging creative expression, collaboration, and learning.

In a world that increasingly faces environmental challenges, initiatives like Designing Future 2050 can empower young minds to envision and act upon sustainable solutions. This event stands not only as a competition but also as a vital platform for cultivating the future leaders of sustainability. With the right support and encouragement, the youth can lead us all toward a more resilient and environmentally conscious world. As we look ahead, let’s stay engaged in promoting such impactful initiatives that empower the next generation to contribute meaningfully to the globe’s sustainability efforts.