What design can do challenge program

Innovative design solutions for today’s most pressing issues

We challenge the international design community to come up with innovative design solutions for the big questions of our world. Participants range from young professionals to creatives, designers, students, social entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Participants are provided with researched background information and a rich briefing. From there we journey down a 6 phase process to go from idea to tangible products and business cases.
By working together with international partners like IKEA Foundation, UNHCR, UNFCCC, WWF, Autodesk Foundation, Social Enterprise NL, Impact Hub and STBY we aim to built a community of experts and investors that will help make the wonderful ideas form the design community come to live.

No waste challenge

2021-2022
Call for proposals has started

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The No Waste Challenge calls for innovative solutions to address the impact of waste and consumerism on the planet, in Tokyo, Amsterdam, Delhi, Mexico City, Nairobi, São Paulo and Rio.

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CLEAN ENERGY 

2018 until 2019

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For the Clean Energy Challenge we were looking for bold ideas to tackle pressing energy issues in Amsterdam, Delhi, México City, Nairobi and São Paulo.

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NO MINOR THING

2018

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In this challenge, twelve design teams and one designschool came up with new ways to tackle the sexual exploitation of children.

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CLIMATE ACTION

2017 UNTIL 2018

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THE CLIMATE ACTION CHALLENGE waS A GLOBAL DESIGN COMPETITION CALLING ON THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY TO SUBMIT BOLD, INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

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refugee challenge

2015 until 2017

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The Refugee Challenge called upon creative thinkers to use the power of design to come up with real life solutions for refugee problems. We wanted to engage in a social and political debate to help build a more positive narrative around refugees.

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