BE OPEN anuncia los ganadores del concurso DESIGN EQUALITY with Innovation en apoyo de los ODS de la ONU
BE OPEN has announced the winners of the first, second, and third prizes in the DESIGN EQUALITY with Innovation competition, which supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). DESIGN EQUALITY with Innovation has become the seventh international competition focused on the SDGs for students and graduates, organized by the sociocultural initiative BE OPEN and its partners. Since 2019, the program has aimed to encourage young creatives to develop innovative solutions for a more prosperous and sustainable future, with a particular emphasis on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
During the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, "By ensuring access to quality education for girls and opening doors to decent work opportunities for women, we drive economic growth and forge stronger economies."
BE OPEN has also contributed to promoting women's participation in innovation, community initiatives, and sustainable small businesses, dedicating the 2025/2026 competition to advancing SDG number 5, which aims to promote solutions that advocate for and enhance gender equality, meet the needs of women and girls, and elevate women as innovators and entrepreneurs.
From several hundred proposals, fifty were shortlisted as honorable mentions. The winners of the top three prizes were selected by an international jury comprising sustainability professionals, academics, designers, and experts in environmental policies and practices. The first prize of 5,000 euros was awarded to Norah Kimathi, a graduate of Strathmore University in Kenya. Norah, who holds degrees in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Robotics, developed the Zerobionic project, a robotic exoskeleton with artificial intelligence designed to improve access to STEM education for deaf and hard-of-hearing girls.
The second prize of 3,000 euros was awarded to Victress Igboanusim from Imo State University in Nigeria for the Calyx-Probe, a portable diagnostic device with artificial intelligence aimed at improving access to non-invasive reproductive healthcare. The third prize of 2,000 euros went to Lennox Omondi and his team members Dullah Shiltone, Keylie Muthoni, and Brian Ndung'u, graduates of St. Paul University in Kenya, for their project Ecobana, a circular manufacturing initiative that transforms agricultural banana waste into biodegradable sanitary products for women and girls in underserved communities. Elena Baturina, founder of BE OPEN and a successful entrepreneur and advocate for innovation, praised the winners and all participants, emphasizing the need for innovative ideas, interdisciplinary collaboration, and bold experimentation to address today's urgent challenges.
The winners of the Public Prize and the Founder's Prize will be announced in June 2026. In addition to grants, all winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to a significant sustainability-related event where they will present their projects to policymakers and international audiences.