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BE OPEN Celebrates Design Equality with Innovation

In a world where sustainable development is paramount, BE OPEN has proudly announced the launch of its seventh international competition, Design Equality with Innovation. This unique initiative aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets students and recent graduates globally. The competition encourages young minds to develop innovative solutions that contribute to a prosperous and sustainable future for all.

The UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs highlights that empowering women and girls is critical in accelerating economic growth and social development. In light of this, BE OPEN is dedicating this year's competition to SDG No. 5, which focuses on fostering gender equality. This dedication aims to foster solutions that not only address the needs of women and girls but also promote women as innovators and entrepreneurs.

As part of this competition, BE OPEN offers attractive scholarships ranging from €2,000 to €5,000 to the best submissions. Furthermore, successful participants will gain access to educational opportunities and the chance to attend a significant international sustainability event.

A Diverse and Expert Jury

Winners will be chosen by an esteemed international jury composed of sustainability experts, academics, and professionals in design and environmental policy. Founding member Elena Baturina expressed her excitement stating, "We are thrilled to have assembled such a remarkable and diverse jury and are thankful for the time and expertise that the jury members will share with our competitors and the wider public during the competition. We are looking forward to an exciting period filled with hard work and remarkable discoveries."

This year’s jury is made up of esteemed individuals such as Barbara della Rovere, Community Manager at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN; Helen Watts, Executive Director of Student Energy; Anna Kaplina, UNECE’s Environmental Officer; Peter Gamundani, Sustainability Specialist at Global Sustainable Solution Agents (GSSA); Anastasia Adamidou, from Cyprus's Commissioner for Gender Equality; Françoise Mlebinge, a Program Officer at SOLIFEDE-RDC; and Ajisafe Damilola Ifeoluwa, Chairperson of the Foot Impact Unilorin Chapter and founder of TerraYouth Africa.

Important Dates

The announcement of the three main winners selected by the jury is slated for the end of May 2026. This will mark an important milestone in BE OPEN's ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and promoting gender equality in the design space.

As the competition progresses, participants are encouraged to think outside the box and propose creative, impactful solutions that can help pave the way for a sustainable future. In doing so, they are not only participating in a prestigious competition but are also contributing to the global movement towards equality and sustainability.

For more information regarding submissions and guidelines, prospective entrants are invited to visit the official BE OPEN website. Here, they can familiarize themselves with the standards expected and draw inspiration from previous winners. With sustainability at the forefront of discussions today, this competition represents a vital opportunity for young innovators to make a change.

Whether you are a student, a recent graduate, or an aspiring entrepreneur, this is your chance to shine bright in a competitive yet supportive environment. Join in on this exciting venture and help design equality for a more sustainable world.