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Celebrating Design Equality with Innovation Competition

BE OPEN, a socio-cultural initiative, is proud to announce the celebration of its jury for the international competition, Design Equality with Innovation. This competition is the seventh installment focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to inspire young students and graduates worldwide to develop innovative solutions that foster a sustainable and prosperous future.

The 2025/2026 competition will particularly emphasize SDG #5, which advocates for gender equality. According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Development, empowering women and girls is crucial for driving economic growth and enhancing societal progress. By utilizing this competition to celebrate solutions that address the needs of women and girls while advancing gender equality, BE OPEN sets the stage for innovation driven by budding female entrepreneurs and leaders.

The selected winners of this prestigious competition stand to gain significantly as BE OPEN will award grants ranging from €2,000 to €5,000. Additionally, the winners will have access to educational opportunities and trips to significant international sustainability-focused events, further enriching their learning experience.

Participants' submissions will be evaluated by an esteemed international jury comprised of sustainability experts, academics, and designers who specialize in environmental policies and practices. BE OPEN’s founder, Elena Baturina, expressed her excitement over the jury's diverse expertise, stating, "We are thrilled to have assembled such an extraordinary and diverse panel, and are deeply grateful for the time and expertise the jury are willing to share with our contestants and the wide public in the course of the competition. There is an exciting period ahead of us full of hard work and amazing discoveries."

The jury panel for this edition includes accomplished professionals such as Barbara della Rovere, Community Manager of the Innovation Champions Network at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Helen Watts, Executive Director of Student Energy, and various other esteemed individuals, including sustainability specialists and gender equality advocates.

Throughout this competitive endeavor, the jury will meticulously assess the entries to identify the most innovative and impactful projects that align with the SDGs and the principles of sustainability.

The announcement of the three main winners selected by the jury is anticipated to take place at the end of May 2026, marking a significant milestone for all contestants and the initiative alike.

As we look towards the challenges of tomorrow, competitions like Design Equality with Innovation serve as platforms for young minds to harness their creativity and drive change toward a more equitable world. This initiative underlines a commitment to not only addressing environmental concerns but also elevating the voices and innovations of women across the globe.

Stay tuned for further developments and updates from BE OPEN as this inspiring competition progresses.