The Design Equality 2025 International Design Competition is a global initiative organized by BE OPEN, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This landmark agreement, adopted by all 189 UN member countries at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women, remains a cornerstone in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide.
Building on three decades of progress and advocacy, the competition seeks to mobilize innovative solutions that address persistent barriers to gender equality. Through this platform, students, recent graduates, and young professionals worldwide are invited to showcase creative ideas that can make tangible impacts on the lives of women and girls while contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Purpose of the Competition
In today’s fast-changing world, challenges such as inequality, climate change, and technological disruption are increasingly interconnected. Traditional approaches may not always provide effective solutions. Design Equality with Innovation encourages participants to explore new methods, integrated strategies, and transformative ideas that promote gender equality and empower women in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
The competition focuses on the following goals:
- Advancing gender equality in local and global contexts.
- Integrating gender perspectives into innovative solutions.
- Encouraging women as innovators and entrepreneurs.
- Supporting technology-driven solutions tailored to the needs of women and girls.
- Removing barriers that hinder women and girls in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
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Who Can Participate
The competition is open internationally to:
- Students in higher education institutions.
- Recent graduates and young professionals.
- Individuals or multidisciplinary teams (with no limit to team size).
Participants may submit up to two projects: one individual entry and one team project. Mentorship, sponsorship, or academic guidance is encouraged, and all supporting parties will be acknowledged in the publicity of winning projects.
Competition Categories
To guide participants in developing their submissions, the competition features three categories:
- Solutions to advocate and advance gender equality – Ideas that challenge societal barriers and promote equal opportunities for women and girls.
- Solutions that meet the needs of women and girls – Projects that respond to specific challenges or improve access to essential resources and services.
- Solutions to promote women as innovators and entrepreneurs – Initiatives that encourage women-led innovation, entrepreneurial ventures, and leadership in technology.
Prizes
The competition offers up to €15,000 in prizes, distributed as follows:
- First Prize: €5,000
- Second Prize: €3,000
- Third Prize: €2,000
- BE OPEN Founder’s Choice Prize: €3,000
- Public Vote Prize: €2,000
Winners will gain international exposure, have opportunities to present their projects at major UNSDG-related events, and expand their networks in sustainable innovation and creative industries.
Benefits for Participants
Participants can expect to:
- Expand their knowledge of sustainable practices and action plans.
- Gain international recognition for innovative solutions.
- Compete for substantial monetary awards.
- Pitch their projects to a global audience of innovators, policymakers, and stakeholders.
Timeline
- Submissions Open: September 15, 2025
- Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026
- Winners Announced: March–April 2026
- Celebration of Winners: Date to be confirmed
Participants are encouraged to submit projects that have the greatest potential for positive impact, even if their idea fits multiple categories. All submissions must be original and solution-focused.
How to Apply
To participate, contestants must register on the submission platform and submit their project online. Individuals and teams are encouraged to seek mentorship or collaboration to enhance the quality and reach of their solutions.
This competition is more than just a contest; it is a global platform to drive transformative change, inspire innovation, and empower the next generation of women leaders and creators worldwide.
For more information and inquiries, visit the Design Equality official platform.
