On November 16th, BE OPEN will host a session at the Impact Studio in the Green Zone of COP29 in Baku. Starting from 1.30 pm we will be talking about our competition programme in support of the UN SGDs and share our experience of evaluating and awarding the best design ideas from young people around the world.
Each year, we receive hundreds of creative and well-researched projects that reassure us that educating and motivating young people is essential for driving sustainable change. These competitions provide a platform for discussions, idea exchanges, and self-education. We aim to boost young people’s confidence and help them realize their importance in shaping the future.
At the session, BE OPEN will celebrate and give stage to 6 of the winners of Design Your Climate Action, the most recent of our sustainability-focused competitions, that was finalised earlier in 2024.
The First Prize winners Darcy Rincón and Michelle Aljure, the students of Biodesign at Universidad de los Andes, Colombia, will present their Inspira System. This project aims to introduce and promote the cultivation of spirulina in low-income neighborhoods in Bogotá. The initiative targets combating malnutrition, creating new income opportunities, and enhancing environmental sustainability within vulnerable communities.
Emilia Ziolek, a Product Design and Technology student from University of Limerick, Ireland is the winner of the Third Prize and the Founder’s Choice prize. HerTidal Energy Turbine Form Redesign with Biomimicry concept is the first step to a new design of bladeless turbines with hydrofoils. Their streamlined design reduces the impact on marine life by eliminating rotating blades and enhances efficiency in energy conversion. Emilia suggests that hydrofoils operate by harnessing lift generated from water flow, allowing them to capture energy with reduced drag and increased effectiveness.
The Public Vote prize winners Tshepiso Motau, Tsebo Mokwena and Bongeka Buthelezi, students of Industrial Design from University of Johannesburg, South Africa, will pitch their Swiftguard Early Flood Warning System project. It is a revolutionary integrated communication system designed to provide early flood warnings. The system includes a telemetry buoy, a signal tower, and a solar-powered alarm system. These components work seamlessly together to monitor water levels and deliver timely alerts to high-risk areas.
Come and join us in Baku!