Design Equality 2025 is a global design competition that invites students, recent graduates, and young professionals to create innovative solutions that help advance gender equality and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It challenges young creatives to think critically about social change and design ideas that address real needs for women and girls worldwide.
👉 Submit your entry and register: Visit the official competition platform via the “Submit an Entry” page at designequality2025.com.
Design Equality 2025 commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark global commitment to gender equality. The programme aims to spark creative, practical solutions that advance women’s empowerment and inclusion in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Participants explore how design and innovation can help remove barriers, enhance opportunities, and create inclusive systems that benefit women and girls, aligning with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and related global goals.
Who Can Enter (Eligibility)
- Open to students, recent graduates, and young professionals (typically ages 18–35) from any country.
- Individuals may submit one project; teams (with no limit on size) may also enter one team project in addition to an individual entry.
- Projects should focus on innovative ideas that address gender equality, uplift women and girls, or promote women as creators and leaders.
Applicants are encouraged to seek academic or professional mentorship to strengthen their submissions; accredited mentors will be acknowledged in publicity materials if included.
What You Can Submit (Focus Areas)
Participants are asked to propose solutions in one of three thematic categories:
- Solutions that advocate for and advance gender equality
- Designs that address needs specific to women and girls
- Concepts that promote women as innovators and entrepreneurs
Projects can be conceptual, technological, or social, as long as they offer creative, impact-oriented ideas that align with the competition themes.
Prizes & Recognition (Benefits)
Design Equality 2025 awards include:
- First Prize: €5,000
- Second Prize: €3,000
- Third Prize: €2,000
- BE OPEN Founder’s Choice: €3,000
- Public Vote Prize: €2,000
Monetary awards total up to €15,000 across categories, with additional honourable mentions for top creative submissions.
Exposure & Networking: Winners gain international visibility, potential features in sustainability-related events, and may be invited to showcase their work at major SDG gatherings.
Travel Grant: Winners may receive travel support toward participation in award ceremonies or related conferences, helping extend the impact of their work beyond the competition.
Timeline & Key Dates
📅 Submissions Open: 15 September 2025
📅 Deadline: 31 January 2026
📅 Winners Announced: March–April 2026
📅 Celebration & Awards: Dates TBC (likely alongside major sustainability events in 2026)
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Visit the official competition site: Go to designequality2025.com and choose the “Submit an Entry” section.
- Register or log in: Create your profile or sign in.
- Prepare your project: Include high-quality visuals, a clear description of the idea, and an explanation of its gender equality impact.
- Select the category: Choose the thematic category that best matches your concept.
- Submit before the deadline: Complete and publish your entry by 31 January 2026.
Note: Once submitted, you won’t be able to edit your entry — double-check all materials before finalising.
