BE OPEN congratulates the first winners of Design Your Climate Action: international competition focused on SDG#13

Elena Baturina, Founder of BE OPEN comments on the finalization of the project: "I am certain that involving young people into the conversation centered on the SDG agenda is a very wholesome way of not simply raising awareness about sustainability, but encouraging the creation of actual solutions able to contribute to achieving sustainable future. We are continuously impressed by the level of submissions we receive every year for the SDG-focused competitions. We see hard work and intelligence, commitment and creativity, and can't help but believe that younger generations can make an actual difference and inspire change for all of us."

The First Prize of €5,000 goes to Darcy Rincón and Michelle Aljure, the students of Biodesign Universidad de los Andes, Colombia, for Inspira System. This project aims to introduce and promote cultivation of spirulina in low-income neighborhoods in Bogotá. The initiative targets combating malnutrition, creating new income opportunities, and enhancing environmental sustainability within vulnerable communities.

The Second Prize of €3,000 goes to Granny Lesiamang and her Clauseph BioFuels startup in Botswana, for Clean Cooking Project. Its focuses on designing, manufacturing and distributing low-cost, energy-efficient biomass stoves that reduce biomass fuel consumption, lower the smoke inhalation and carbon emission. The project also develops clean solid biomass fuel with wood derived from invasive bush trees, rampant across Botswana's farmlands.

The Third Prize of €2,000 goes to Emilia Ziolek, a Product Design and Technology student, University of Limerick, Ireland, for the Tidal Energy Turbine Form Redesign with Biomimicry concept. It is the first step to a new design of bladeless turbines with hydrofoils. Their streamlined design reduces the impact on marine life by eliminating rotating blades and enhances efficiency in energy conversion. Emilia suggests that hydrofoils operate by harnessing lift generated from water flow, allowing them to capture energy with reduced drag and increased effectiveness.

The Founder's Choice prize will soon be allocated by the Founder of BE OPEN Elena Baturina. The Public Vote prize winner will be decided upon by the majority of votes in an online open vote.

Design Your Climate Action is the fifth competition of the SDG-dedicated programme developed by BE OPEN. Every year the foundation chooses to focus on one particular goal, and have so far covered SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG2: Zero Hunger, and SDG7: Affordable and Clean Energy.

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