DUTCH DESIGN WEEK (DDW) AND THE DUTCH MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, AGRICULTURE AND INNOVATION (EL&I) LAUNCHED THE FIRST SEASON OF THE GREEN DESIGN COMPETITION, ON OCTOBER 29TH 2011 DURING DUTCH DESIGN WEEK.TJEERD VEENHOVEN (PALMLEATHER) AND TEAM ENTO WON THE FIRST SEASON AND WERE AWARDED €25,000 AND €15,000 BY THE DUTCH MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, AGRICULTURE AND INNOVATION.

THE SECOND SEASON OF THE GREEN DESIGN COMPETITION IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN 2013.

The Green Design Competition is a competition for entrepreneurs in the design industry, for individuals (and teams) with a vision of what the future of  design should look like. The aim of the competition is to find the talented entrepreneurs in the industry who aim to create a new product which sustains biodiversity.

Enrolment for The Green Design Competition is now closed. To stay informed, please subscribe for the newsletter by clicking on the envelope in the menu on the right.

BIODIVERSITY IS THE VARIATION OF ALL KINDS OF LIFE, WHICH TOGETHER CREATE A BALANCE IN NATURE.

Biodiversity covers all of the world's ecosystems. Biodiversity creates clean water, fertile grounds and a stable climate. It also produces food and building materials for residencies, clothing, fuel and medication.

Mankind's consumption of raw materials and modern production techniques are having an extremely destructive effect on the world's biodiversity. Examples of this are the unaccountable amounts of water wasted in many production techniques, the chemicals used in dyes and other treatments that pollute the environment, and the extent to which large scale agriculture (eg cotton fields) destroy habitats.

The Green Design Competition aims to create the foundation for a design industry wherein biodiversity is preserved and stimulated. The only way in which this can be done is when entrepreneurs are able to find a balance between the economical, ecological and social impact of their ideas; a balance between People, Planet and Profit.

The Green Design Competition will provide the entrepreneurial talents within the design industry with coaching, support, an international platform and sizeable financial aid for launching their ideas.

COMPETITION

Enrolment for The Green Design Competition is now closed. For more info on the competition structure, click here. To stay informed, please subscribe for the newsletter by clicking on the envelope in the menu on the right.

NOW

Enrolment for the competition closed in February '12. Exactly 113 design entrepreneurs enrolled for The Green Design Competition from countries all over the world. 20 contestants in the first category (Established Entrepreneurs) and 20 in the second category (Up-and-coming Entrepreneurs) have been shortlisted.

NEXT STEPS

Our shortlist of 40 pioneering entrepreneurs is now
required to develop a brief business plan and work out their designs. The
designs will be judged by the jury, and 8 finalists (4 for each category) will
be announced at the end of April. Mid July the Grand Finale will take place.

THE LAUNCH

The Launch of The Green Design Competition took place at the DDW HQ’s on the 29th of October 2011 during the 10th, and thus jubilee edition of Dutch Design Week. Leading speakers such as Jurgen Bey (Ambassador of The Green Design Competition), Hans Robertus (director of Dutch Design Week), Paul Vetter (Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation) and Christiaan Maats (founder of OAT shoes) shared their vision on future-oriented design.

View the photo's of the Launch here: