Organise your own Design Challenge Event

[PLACEHOLDER] Example phase. Define the scope of your Design Challenge Event: learning goals, target group, number of teams, and the sustainability themes you want the challenges to address.

Tasks

[PLACEHOLDER] Define learning objectives and assessment criteria.
[PLACEHOLDER] Choose the event format (on-site, online or hybrid).
[PLACEHOLDER] Identify industry partners who could propose real-world challenges.

Timing

[PLACEHOLDER] 8–6 weeks before the event.

Roles

[PLACEHOLDER] Lead educator — owns the plan and timeline.
[PLACEHOLDER] Industry contact — shapes the challenge briefs.

Practical tips

[PLACEHOLDER] Start the search for industry partners early; challenge briefs take longer than expected.
[PLACEHOLDER] Keep the first event small — one class, two or three challenges.

Resources — templates and examples

[PLACEHOLDER] Event planning template Link to be provided

[PLACEHOLDER] Challenge brief template Link to be provided

[PLACEHOLDER] Example phase. Facilitate the event itself: kick-off, team formation, mentoring sessions, and the final pitches in front of the jury.

Tasks

[PLACEHOLDER] Run the kick-off session and present the challenges.
[PLACEHOLDER] Schedule mentoring check-ins for each team.
[PLACEHOLDER] Organise the final pitch session and jury deliberation.

Timing

[PLACEHOLDER] Event week (1–5 days depending on format).

Roles

[PLACEHOLDER] Facilitator — keeps the schedule on track.
[PLACEHOLDER] Mentors — support the teams during the work sessions.
[PLACEHOLDER] Jury — evaluates the final pitches.

Practical tips

[PLACEHOLDER] Timebox the pitches strictly and share the evaluation rubric with the teams in advance.
[PLACEHOLDER] Record the pitch session — the videos are valuable for the community.

Resources — templates and examples

[PLACEHOLDER] Facilitation agenda example Link to be provided

[PLACEHOLDER] Jury evaluation rubric Link to be provided

[PLACEHOLDER] Example phase. Close the loop after the event: collect solutions and feedback, announce winners, and share outcomes with the community.

Tasks

[PLACEHOLDER] Collect the teams' solutions and consent for publication.
[PLACEHOLDER] Announce the winners and share the results.
[PLACEHOLDER] Gather feedback from students, mentors and partners.

Timing

[PLACEHOLDER] 1–3 weeks after the event.

Roles

[PLACEHOLDER] Lead educator — compiles the post-event report.
[PLACEHOLDER] Communications support — publishes results and media.

Practical tips

[PLACEHOLDER] Publish the outcomes while the momentum is still there — within two weeks of the event.
[PLACEHOLDER] Feed what you learned back into the next edition.

Resources — templates and examples

[PLACEHOLDER] Post-event report template Link to be provided

[PLACEHOLDER] Feedback form example Link to be provided

Organise your own Design Challenge Event

The playbook, phase by phase

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Organise your own Design Challenge Event

The playbook, phase by phase

Phase 1 — Prepare (example placeholder)

Phase 2 — Run the event (example placeholder)

Phase 3 — Follow up (example placeholder)

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