What Design Can Do (WDCD) No Waste Challenge 2021 (€10.000 in funding)

Application Deadline: April 1st 2021

The No Waste Challenge is a global competition initiated by What Design Can Do (WDCD) in partnership with The IKEA Foundation. WDCD are calling on creatives – Both Small Hackers and Big Dreamers – To Submit Innovative Solutions to reduce waste and to rethink our entire production and consumption cycle.

WHY WASTE?

The answer is straightforward and devastating: our planet is drowning in waste. Every year we dump a massive 2.12 billion tonnes of it worldwide. This is partly because we’ve created an economy in which 99% of the stuff we buy is trashed within six months. If all this waste was put on trucks, they would stretch around the Earth 24 times.

The issue is systemic, and has disastrous impact on all other wicked social and environmental problems. From causing biodiversity loss to accelerating global warming — the destructive way in which we currently extract, produce and consume resources is driving us towards a climate crisis. If we can address the underlying root problems and symptoms of waste, we have a fighting chance at building a future that works for both people and planet. Will you join us?

WHY NOW?

We are already consuming 75% more resources every year than the Earth can sustain in the long term. And this overshoot is set to increase by a stunning 70% by 2050 unless we make some major changes — and fast. 

We believe that design has the power to raise awareness and change how things are made and what they are made of. Design also has a role to play in shifting narratives and facilitating alternative visions of the future. The COVID-19 crisis has provided us with an unprecedented opportunity to do so, and to re-evaluate our current systems in the process. It could help facilitate many step changes, and open doors for ideas, products, services and systems once deemed too radical.

The potential is enormous, and the time is now. So how do we encourage more mindful consumption; how can we produce for both people and planet; and how can we handle waste more responsibly?

AWARD PACKAGE

The winners of the No Waste Challenge will be selected by an international jury of leading experts in design, climate action and social impact. Next to a prize fund of €10.000 each, the centerpiece of the award package is the development programme designed to support the winning teams in further strengthening and scaling up their projects. 

PUBLICITY ON THE WORLD STAGE

Each winner will get the chance to present their projects to a global audience during one of WDCD’s annual events on design and innovation. Besides gaining access to our extensive network of change-makers, winning teams will also receive valuable press coverage and media exposure through WDCD’s channels and those of our partners.

WHAT CAN WINNERS EXPECT?

The No Waste Challenge development programme covers a six-month period, starting with a one-week bootcamp and ending with a pitch at a global or local WDCD event. This programme focuses on enhancing entrepreneurial skills, networking, presentation and communication as well as opening doors to further development and funding.

THE BOOTCAMP

The WDCD bootcamp is the perfect kick-off event, allowing participants to get to know each other before we dive into the  programme developed by Impact Hub. Winners can expect a range of mentoring sessions on the skills they need to make their projects a success — from building a supply chain, to team-building and organization, finding potential clients and creating impact. In addition to the group sessions, each team will also receive 1:1 support to cater to their individual needs and personal ambitions.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the What Design Can Do (WDCD) No Waste Challenge 2021