The Swarovski Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, has just announced its “Creatives for Our Future” program, open for applications that will enable the identification and support of creative leaders who bring sustainability action in the young generation. The program is open for applications from the most innovative and talented creatives from across the world, which assures the participant’s access to mentors in the area and a €20,000 grant to develop their projects.
Empowering Young Creatives for Global Impact
‘Creatives for Our Future’ addresses fashion professionals, as well as those involved in design, art, and engineering, who are between 21 and 30 years old. It is going to give them an opportunity to change today’s world by using the power of their imagination for solving pressing issues related to sustainability, viewed within a global perspective. The participants will have to work out original projects that utilize the creative process to raise awareness, technological innovation, or the production of material solutions related to the issue of sustainable development.
Applications are open from now until October 16, 2024. Their selections will not only provide financial support but, in so far as forward, with guidance and mentorship from their leaders’ industries to polish and scale their innovated ideas.
A Track Record of Supporting Innovation
Since its inception, the program has supported 21 different projects from young creatives with innovative ideas that can help solve some of the most daunting sustainability and development challenges the world faces. The solutions they present range from new materials and products to processes and technologies.
A very successful example is Gunraagh Talwar Singh from India, one of the past winners with his invention “Dumpcrete,” an alternative material to make circular constructions. The project is one of many solutions to minimize the worry of construction waste. The other one has been that of Sejal Budholiya from India, with the invention of a tool that solves one of the critical problems in the health and hygiene of women-the logistics related to changing sanitary products.
These cases illustrate how the program can move the needle through the due provision of resources and support for young innovators to materialize ideas.
The Swarovski Foundation and the United Nations
This is primarily championed by the Swarovski Foundation, esteemed for fostering creativity and supporting forms of development that are sustainable. Working with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, the foundation furthers exemplifies its commitment to the empowerment of youth who are willing and able to contribute towards global sustainability.
As the Director of the Swarovski Foundation, Jakhya Rahman-Corey, explained, “The Swarovski Foundation is looking forward to welcoming this year’s applicants for bringing their ideas to life.” That just about describes the commitment of the foundation to fostering the talent of creatives into projects that may make a lasting impact on sustainability.
Annemarie Hou, Executive Director, United Nations Office for Partnerships, said, “We need young talents to unleash creativity in tackling sustainable development challenges.” She was just pinpointing that innovative minds play a vital role in tackling various complex issues of the world.
Therefore, “Creatives for Our Future” is one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for such a young creative who will actually make the impact on sustainability with the provided financial support and mentorship.
This program invites applicants from all over the world who are emerging creative talents embarking on projects that meet the aforementioned objectives. Eligible applicants are invited to question how their professional creative endeavors contribute to solving the key challenges of sustainability by October 16, 2024.
Coming Up NEXT
As the world remains encumbered with major environmental and social problems, initiatives such as “Creatives for Our Future” play a significant role in fostering innovation and preparing the leadership of the future. The collaboration between the Swarovski Foundation and the United Nations Office for Partnerships serves as a model for how private sector and international organization collaboration can support the attainment of sustainable development goals.
Apart from the financial support, the program chooses selectees for a place where they can scale and propel their work onto the global platform. Mentoring will be utilized to enhance their projects so that finally, they can be effective and scalable. As experience has shown, in effecting real change, the potential of these projects is huge.
Source and Credits
This article is based on information from the Swarovski Foundation and the United Nations Office for Partnerships.