Overview

Overview:

The What Design Can Do Climate Action Challenge is a global design competition that calls on the creative community to submit innovative ideas for helping people adapt to climate change. The challenge specifically focusses on the poorest and most vulnerable people, particularly in the Global South, who will suffer the brunt of climate change.

What Design Can Do (WDCD), the IKEA Foundation and Autodesk invite designers, creative thinkers and imaginative trouble-shooters from all countries and disciplines, to take part. The call for participation opened on 23 May at WDCD Live Amsterdam 2017, and will close on 24 September 2017 (extended from 21 August!).

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for fresh and innovative solutions to help mankind adapt to climate change. The best designs are innovative, practical, scalable, affordable, and easily understood. The Climate Action Challenge is open to everyone, yet specifically aimed at designers and creative entrepreneurs. Both existing and completely new ideas and solutions may be entered.

HOW TO ENTER?

You can participate in one of three Challenge tracks: student, creative professional or start-up. The top ideas in each track will be evaluated by an international jury and selected to join a special acceleration programme in the last phase of the challenge.

All proposals should be entered via the WDCD Climate Action Challenge Platform. Our innovative briefing generator will help you decide how to tackle the many problems related to climate change. Use this online tool to discover the design strategy, the topic and the location that suits you best. 

WHY ENTER?

• You are concerned about the climate crisis and want to make a positive contribution to a possible solution
• You will be part of a global creative network and can benefit from its combined knowledge and creativity
• You have the chance of receiving exposure for your ideas through the communication channels of all the partners involved
• Last but not least: as a winner you are eligible for a share of the €900.000 award package and to join our acceleration programme!

Details:

  • Apply: September

Spud’s Thoughts:

I heard of this program through Conveners which shares some great competitions. Many of my initial ventures gained momentum because of submissions to competitions sites like this one. If nothing else, it’s a great way to force you to think of how to communicate your idea in a succinct format.