NEXT GEN DESIGN 2025: „REDESIGN TOMORROW, TODAY“

NEXT GEN DESIGN 2025: „REDESIGN TOMORROW, TODAY“ 

Calling all creative change-makers! The premiere edition of the Next Gen Design Competition invites young creatives across Europe to explore bold, regenerative, and inclusive design solutions. Under the theme “Redesign Tomorrow, Today,” this competition empowers the next generation to tackle the pressing challenges of our time with ingenuity and imagination.

WHO CAN APPLY 

If you are a creative aged 18 to 35, born, studying, or living in Europe, this is your moment. Whether you’re an individual innovator or part of a collaborative team, you’re welcome to submit up to five entries showcasing your vision for a sustainable future.

COMPETITIONS THEMES 

Your design should address the question: How can we redesign tomorrow, today? Your design can include (but is not limited to): 

Circular products and systems: think about sustainable furniture, modular lighting, adaptable interior elements, multifunctional home accessories, and zero-waste stationery; 

Everyday objects reimagined: think about multifunctional tools, reusable packaging solutions, or modular components;                                                                                                                          

Educational and aid-focused innovations: think about didactic toys and tools for skill-building, inclusive design for assistive devices, and products for disaster relief or emergency use;

Sustainable textiles and wearable solutions: think about eco-friendly materials for fashion garments, multifunctional clothing, biodegradable footwear, or innovative textile applications that prioritize repairability and circular use;    

Next-gen construction solutions: think about prefabricated shelters, small housing units, energy-efficient and carbon-negative building techniques, biomaterials, and smart, adaptable construction components; 

Urban farming and methods to deal with food waste: think about tools, devices, and services that support indoor or outdoor urban agriculture, vertical farming, composting innovations, and food-sharing platforms; 

Digital solutions for sustainability: Platforms and tools advancing the sharing economy, waste reduction, repair networks, or community engagement in sustainability practices; 

Nature-integrated designs: Biophilic design concepts for urban and rural environments, such as green roofs, living walls, or habitats supporting biodiversity; 

Localized production and resource management: Innovations in small-scale manufacturing, distributed production models, and resource-sharing systems tailored to local challenges;

Awareness and educational initiatives: Campaigns, movements, and educational tools or programs aimed at raising awareness about sustainability, fostering community engagement, integrating sustainability into the school curriculum, or inspiring behavioural change through impactful storytelling and outreach.

WHAT YOU COULD WIN 

The Next Gen Design Traveling Exhibition Winning works selected by the International Jury will be included in the Next Gen Design Traveling Exhibition touring Europe from May to November 2025 at 5 partner festivals: Mikser Festival, Belgrade Serbia: 29 May – 1 June What Design Can Do, Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 2 – 6 June Vienna Design Week, Vienna, Austria: 26 September – 5 October Barcelona Design Week, Barcelona, Spain: 7 – 17 October Skopje Design Week, Skopje, North Macedonia: November 

The Next Gen Design Residency Program Single authors of the selected entries or team leaders of the winning teams will participate in the 4-6-day Next Gen Design Residency Program with covered expensesat one of the 5 above-mentioned festivals. The programme will consist of: Next Gen Design upskilling programs, collaborative practical assignments in local problem-solving, and the Next Gen Design Exhibition Opening Ceremony. The organizers will provide reimbursement for the following expenses: Travel – up to 400 EUR;  accommodation: affordable local lodging (hostels or rental apartments) – up to 50 EUR per night; Boarding costs, daily meals – up to 50 EUR per day. 

Five Monetary Awards “The Next Gen Design Best Residency” The best residency project at each festival will receive the Next Gen Design Residency Award and a monetary prize of 2000 euros per each winning residency team. The Next Gen Design Award Ceremony will take place at the end of the Next Gen Design exhibition/residency cycle, in November 2025 at Skopje Design Week.

ABOUT NEXT GEN

Next Gen Design is a three-year program of co-learning, research, design competitions, workshops and exhibitions connecting 5 prominent European design festivals – Mikser Festival in Belgrade, What Design Can Do in Amsterdam and 3 Design Weeks, in Vienna, Barcelona and Skopje – aiming to encourage young creatives living in Europe to create, adopt and disseminate green and sustainable design that contributes to European Green Deal.

More about the Competition: https://nextgendesign.eu/open-call/ 

Application form: https://nextgendesign.eu/application-form/