Deadline: 7 April 2025
The MHub, in partnership with UNICEF, is calling on young innovators to participate in the Desk Innovation Challenge!
They are looking for creative designs that rethink conventional school desks corporating alternative and sustainable materials to improve comfort, inclusivity, and stability diverse learning environments. This is your chance to reimagine student-friendly desks that enhance functionality, accessibility, and durability while being cost-effective and environmental sustainable.
Focus Areas
- Innovation and Creativity – Your design should introduce novel concepts and unique features that enhance usability and improve the learning experience. It should be adaptable to different classroom settings, ensuring practicality across various learning environments.
- Inclusivity and Accessibility – The desk should incorporate adjustable features to accommodate different heights and needs. Consider accessibility for students with disabilities, including wheelchair users, and integrate privacy considerations for female learners.
- Sustainability and Environmental Impact – Use eco-friendly materials to minimize the environmental footprint in both manufacturing and disposal. Your design should emphasize long-term durability and have the potential for scalability.
- Functionality and Durability – Your desk design should be structurally stable and resilient to daily classroom use. It should provide ergonomic comfort for prolonged use and be easy to maintain and repair.
- Cost-Effectiveness and Market Viability – The design should be affordable for mass production, prioritize locally sourced materials, and be feasible for adoption by schools and government institutions.
Funding Information
- Stand a chance to receive technical support and financing of up to MWK 1 million to develop your design into a prototype.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to children and youth aged 13-29 years
- Applicants must be based in Lilongwe, Mzuzu, or Blantyre
- Individuals and teams can apply
- Women, people with disabilities and youth from underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply
Evaluation Criteria
- Submissions will be evaluated based on:
- User-Friendliness & Inclusivity: Must be stable and suitable for persons with disabilities
- Environmental Sustainability: Use of eco-friendly and sustainable materials
- Ergonomic Comfort: Designed for student well-being and long study hours
For more information, visit MHub.
