2025 is the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action accepted by all 189 UN countries unanimously at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women. It is an agenda for women’s empowerment and the key global policy document on gender equality.
Inspired by these 30 years of commitment and hard work, BE OPEN’s Design Equality with Innovation programme hopes to mobilize urgent and sustained action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and support the achievement of the SDGs.
In a rapidly evolving world, global challenges are becoming increasingly complex and interlinked. Innovative approaches are needed in order to improve the way we respond and adapt to this changing environment, where established methods do not always ensure impact. Achieving the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals – and notably the goal on gender equality and women’s empowerment – requires transformative shifts, integrated approaches and new solutions.
BE OPEN will focus the competition on innovative solutions that:
- advance gender equality,
- integrate gender issues within innovation,
- promote women as innovators and entrepreneurs,
- promote technology-driven innovative solutions that meet the needs of women and girls,
- remove the barriers to the advancement of women and girls in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.
Design Equality with Innovation is an international design competition, developed and held by BE OPEN and our partners. It is open to students and recent graduates/young professionals internationally.
“Equality for women and girls is a human right. It is a matter of justice. It is the foundation of sustainable development and lasting peace. And it is essential for humanity. By ensuring access to quality education for girls, and opening the doors of opportunity to decent work for women, we kick-start economic growth and we forge stronger economies. And by giving women and girls their rightful seat at the table, we boost our chances of solving immense challenges – from climate to conflict… In these perilous times for women’s rights we must rally around the Beijing Declaration. Recommit to the Platform for Action. And stand firm in making the promise of rights, equality and empowerment a reality for every woman and girl around the world.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, 10 March 2025
BE OPEN strives to make the competition programme more beneficial for students and graduates:
- the participants can expand their knowledge in sustainable practices and action plans
- the participants can compete for money prizes ranging from €2,000 to €5,000
- the participants can get international publicity as talented creatives and innovators
- the winners will go on a trip to a major international UNSDG-related event and pitch their ideas to international audiences
DESIGN EQUALITY has three categories for the submissions to relate to, to help contestants choose their approach to the challenge:
- Solutions to advocate and advance gender equality
- Solutions that meet the needs of women and girls
- Solutions to promote women as innovators and entrepreneurs
PRIZES
- 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
TIMELINE
- Open for submissions — September 15, 2025
- Deadline for submissions — December 31st, 2025
- Announcement of winners — March to April 2026
- Celebration of winners — TBC