Information about Cyprus
Elena Baturina's Foundation Launches Design Equality with Innovation: a global student competition in support of SDG#5
DESIGNEQUALITY with Innovation marks the seventh edition of the international competition held within BE OPEN’s ongoing programme dedicated to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Organized by the socio-cultural initiative BE OPEN, the contest welcomes submissions from students, recent graduates, and emerging professionals. Its purpose is to inspire young creators to develop forward-thinking ideas that contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable world, in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Agenda.
In March 2025, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “Equality for women and girls is a human right. It is a matter of justice. It is the foundation of sustainable development and lasting peace. And it is essential for humanity. By ensuring access to quality education for girls, and opening the doors of opportunity to decent work for women, we kick-start economic growth and we forge stronger economies.” According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Development, empowering women and girls is a key driver of economic progress and social advancement: equal participation in the workforce could raise global GDP by over 10%.
According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Development, empowering women and girls plays a critical role in accelerating economic growth and promoting social development. Full participation of women in the labour market would increase economic growth by more than 10%.
BE OPEN would like to join in encouraging women's participation in innovation, community initiatives and sustainable small businesses by dedicating the 2025/2026 competition to contributing to achieving SDG#5, that is promoting the solutions that advocate and advance gender equality, meet the needs of women and girls, promote women as innovators and entrepreneurs. BE OPEN will reward the best work with grants ranging from €2,000 to €5,000, educational opportunities and a trip to a major sustainability-focused international event.
A successful businesswoman and a supporter of innovation Elena Baturina, Founder of BE OPEN, speaks about the project: “For the past six years, we at BE OPEN have worked to support the SDGs by running international student design competitions. This time we hope to employ the intellectual boldness and creative power of younger people to bring us closer to equality and empowerment of girls and women, therefore creating more leaders of sustainable change”.
The competition hopes to reach a number of goals:
- to raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals and the necessity of urgent action among the young and upcoming professionals
- to involve younger creatives into the SDGs agenda on a day-to-day basis, and encourage them to take a larger part in the implementation of the sustainable actions plan
- to encourage and reward creation of innovative solutions by younger creatives, for a more prosperous and sustainable future
- to contribute to the implementation of the SDGs through identifying, showcasing and promoting creative ideas that support global shift to a sustainable and efficient future.
Founded and supported by philanthropist Elena Baturina, BE OPEN operates globally as a think tank championing creativity and innovation. Its mission is to empower people and ideas that can shape a better tomorrow through a range of activities—competitions, exhibitions, conferences, master classes, and cultural projects—all aimed at unlocking the world’s creative potential. BE OPEN’s projects in Cyprus have gained support from the Deputy Ministry of Culture.
