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Designing Future 2050: Inspiring a New Generation to Tackle Sustainability Challenges

On November 14, 2025, the BE OPEN think-tank unveiled the winning projects of the Designing Future 2050 international student competition during the UN Climate Change Conference COP30 held in Lugano, Switzerland. The event took place at the HiHouse studio, located in the Green zone of the conference.

The Competition's Purpose

The Designing Future 2050 initiative serves as a platform for young creatives to redefine and expand upon the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in light of contemporary challenges and realities. This competition is a call to action for innovative thinking, encouraging students to not only meet the expectations of the 2030 agenda but also to envision and enact realistic, sustainable action plans that will shape their futures.

BE OPEN's founder, Elena Baturina, emphasized the importance of empowering youth. She stated, “The future rests on the shoulders of young people. In order for them to effectively face the significant challenges we all face, they need the right knowledge, skills, and tools. We must guide them in navigating both local and global issues.” This vision has driven BE OPEN's efforts over the past six years to educate and inspire students through various initiatives that spotlight sustainable ideas originating from the younger generation.

Key Highlights from the Event

During the presentation, the five winning teams showcased their innovative pitches, illustrating their concepts that address current sustainability challenges. The event provided these budding innovators with a valuable opportunity to connect with key decision-makers in the field and to share their visions for a sustainable future.

The Designing Future 2050 competition marks BE OPEN's sixth international contest since 2019, following previous themes focused on SDGs #2 (Zero Hunger), #7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), #11 (Sustainable Cities), #12 (Responsible Consumption), #13 (Climate Action), and #17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Each competition aims to engage students and recent graduates in discussions about sustainability, embedding these principles into their professional aspirations and practices.

Future Initiatives

Looking ahead, BE OPEN has also launched the Design Equality with Innovation competition, dedicated to SDG #5 (Gender Equality), which is open for submissions until the end of 2025. This new initiative aims to inspire young minds to contribute innovative solutions that promote equal opportunities across genders.

Recognition and Influence

As part of its commitment to nurturing talent, BE OPEN offers monetary rewards, honorary mentions, and the opportunity to present winning projects at significant international sustainability events. These initiatives not only broaden the educational horizons for the participants but also inspire them to take an active role in shaping a sustainable world.

Through fostering collaboration and innovative thinking, BE OPEN strives to support the youngest creators in making impactful contributions to the global sustainability agenda. As the need for responsible innovation becomes ever more urgent, competitions like Designing Future 2050 are crucial in bringing fresh perspectives and solutions to the forefront of global discussions on sustainability.