Announcing Winners of the 'Designing Futures 2050' Student Competition Focused on Sustainable Development Goals

Winners of 'Designing Futures 2050' Unveiled

BE OPEN has recently announced the winners of its esteemed international student competition, 'Designing Futures 2050.' This initiative encourages students, graduates, and young professionals to engage creatively with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Emphasizing Real-World Challenges

The sixth iteration of this competition invited participants to rethink the SDGs concerning the current global realities and propose viable, scalable strategies to address pressing issues. Contenders could submit their work across three thematic categories: tackling today's challenges, envisioning tomorrow, and adapting the SDGs.

Elena Baturina, the founder of BE OPEN, emphasized the competition’s significance: "For six consecutive years, BE OPEN has promoted the UN's SDGs through global design and innovation contests for students. Every year, we receive numerous remarkable and imaginative submissions from young creators worldwide. This continuous engagement reinforces our belief that educating and inspiring youth is the most effective path to significant change. Our mission is to cultivate a generation capable of addressing tomorrow's challenges through creativity, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration."

Highlights of the Competition

The Founder's Choice Prize, valued at €3,000, was awarded to Jeanne Begon-Lours and Lucy Dain-Williams, both Master’s students in Environmental Technologies at Imperial College London, for their project Tera Mira. Their innovative approach focuses on developing a biological and biodegradable alternative to elastane, using natural stretch properties of marine algae. This sustainable solution not only mimics the elasticity of elastane but also eliminates reliance on fossil fuels, toxicity, and microplastic pollution.

The Public Vote Winner, along with a scholarship of €2,000, went to CALMs (Computer Aided Learning Management Suite) created by Komborero Victor Kangai and Tinotenda Chrispen Makoni, students in physics, mathematics, and computer science at the High Achievers Coach International Academy in Zimbabwe. CALMs aims to bridge the digital divide in Zimbabwe's education system by utilizing television white space technology to provide stable and affordable connectivity, thereby enhancing online learning access, particularly in underdeveloped network areas.

Beyond financial support, all winners will gain access to relevant training opportunities and a fully funded trip to a major sustainable development event, allowing them to showcase their projects to global decision-makers and audiences.

This year’s competition illustrates the innovative spirit of young creators and their potential to contribute towards sustainable development. With ongoing support, these budding professionals can inspire meaningful progress toward achieving the SDGs.

Looking Ahead

BE OPEN’s competition not only nurtures talent but also fosters a culture of sustainability and responsibility among youth. Projects like those from Tera Mira and CALMs indicate a promising future where innovation meets social responsibility, driving home the importance of education and accessibility for all. Such initiatives will be crucial as society moves forward, striving for a more sustainable and inclusive future.

As the competition continues to inspire new generations, BE OPEN reaffirms its commitment to empowering young minds to address the challenges of today and tomorrow. With creativity and collaborative efforts at the forefront, the path towards a sustainable future is more achievable than ever.