Deadline: 31-Jan-2026
The BE OPEN Foundation International Design Competition 2026 invites students, graduates, and young professionals worldwide to propose innovative design solutions that advance gender equality and empower women and girls in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The competition offers cash prizes up to €5,000, international exposure, and the opportunity to present winning ideas at major global SDG-related events, with submissions closing on 31 January 2026.
Programme Overview
The BE OPEN Foundation has launched its International Design Competition to catalyse urgent, innovative, and sustained action toward gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
The competition aligns directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 on gender equality, while encouraging design-led and technology-driven solutions that respond to complex global challenges.
By engaging emerging creatives and innovators, BE OPEN aims to position design and innovation as practical tools for social transformation.
Competition Theme: Gender Equality Through Innovation
The core focus of the competition is on advancing gender equality by embedding gender perspectives into innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
BE OPEN is particularly interested in solutions that:
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Promote gender equality across social, economic, and technological systems
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Integrate gender perspectives into innovation and design processes
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Position women and girls as innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs
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Use technology-driven approaches to address the needs of women and girls
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Remove structural and systemic barriers limiting women’s participation in innovation and entrepreneurship
Submissions should demonstrate both creativity and real-world applicability.
Why This Competition Matters
Global challenges are increasingly interconnected, requiring new approaches that go beyond traditional solutions.
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to gender equality, demands transformative thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and scalable innovations.
This competition matters because it:
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Encourages early-stage innovators to address gender inequality through design
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Supports solutions that can adapt to rapidly changing social and technological environments
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Amplifies youth-led perspectives on sustainability and equality
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Contributes to global conversations on inclusive innovation and development
Design is positioned as a strategic driver of long-term impact rather than a purely aesthetic discipline.
Who Should Apply?
The competition is designed to be especially beneficial for emerging creatives.
Eligible applicants include:
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Students enrolled in relevant disciplines
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Recent graduates
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Young professionals at an early stage of their careers
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Participants from any country or region
Both individual and collaborative submissions are welcome, provided the proposed solution aligns with the competition’s goals.
What Types of Solutions Are Encouraged?
BE OPEN welcomes a broad range of design-led and innovation-focused proposals.
Examples include:
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Product or service designs addressing gender-specific challenges
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Digital platforms or tools supporting women’s access to education, health, or finance
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Social innovation models promoting women’s entrepreneurship
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Policy-oriented design concepts with practical implementation pathways
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Interdisciplinary solutions combining design, technology, and social impact
Solutions should clearly articulate how they contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Awards and Prizes
The competition offers multiple monetary awards and international exposure opportunities.
Available prizes include:
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First Prize: €5,000
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Second Prize: €3,000
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Third Prize: €2,000
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BE OPEN Founder’s Choice Prize: €3,000
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Public Vote Prize: €2,000
In addition to financial awards, selected winners may be invited to travel to a major international UNSDG-related event to present their ideas to global audiences.
Benefits for Participants
Beyond prizes, the competition offers significant professional and educational benefits.
Participants gain:
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Increased knowledge of sustainable development and gender-focused innovation
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International visibility as creative thinkers and problem-solvers
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Opportunities to showcase ideas to policymakers, experts, and global institutions
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Recognition from an established international foundation
This exposure can support future academic, professional, and entrepreneurial pathways.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide
Applicants should prepare a clear and compelling submission aligned with the competition theme.
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Develop an innovative design or concept addressing gender equality or women’s empowerment.
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Clearly explain the problem, target group, and proposed solution.
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Demonstrate how the concept supports one or more Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5.
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Prepare all required submission materials according to competition guidelines.
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Submit the completed application before the stated deadline.
Submissions must be complete and clearly presented to be considered.
Key Dates and Timeline
Applicants should note the official competition schedule.
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Submission deadline: 31 January 2026
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Winner announcement: March to April 2026
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Winners’ celebration and international presentation: Date to be confirmed
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants can strengthen their chances by avoiding the following issues.
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Submitting ideas that lack a clear connection to gender equality
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Failing to explain real-world impact or implementation potential
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Overly abstract concepts without practical application
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Weak alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals
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Incomplete or unclear submissions
Strong proposals balance creativity with feasibility and social relevance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the BE OPEN International Design Competition?
It is a global design competition encouraging innovative solutions that advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Who can participate in the competition?
Students, recent graduates, and young professionals from around the world are eligible to apply.
What is the main theme of the competition?
The theme focuses on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and innovation-driven solutions addressing systemic barriers.
What prizes are available?
Cash prizes range from €2,000 to €5,000, with additional recognition through the Founder’s Choice and Public Vote awards.
Do winners receive opportunities beyond prize money?
Yes. Winners may be invited to present their ideas at major international UNSDG-related events.
When is the submission deadline?
All submissions must be received by 31 January 2026.
When will winners be announced?
Winners will be announced between March and April 2026.
Conclusion
The BE OPEN International Design Competition 2026 offers a powerful platform for emerging creatives to contribute to global gender equality through innovation and design.
By combining financial rewards, international exposure, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, the competition empowers participants to turn bold ideas into meaningful solutions that support women and girls worldwide.
For more information, visit BE OPEN Foundation.