What Design Can Do, a Dutch nonprofit organization, was founded in 2010 by Richard van der Laken and Pepijn Zurburg to explore the impact of design on society. Every year since then, the organization has conducted several challenges to come up with innovative design-led solutions to global problems such as refugees, waste, and child sexual exploitation. The organization’s current challenge, the Redesign Everything Challenge, started in 2024 and aims to address large-scale problems by overhauling and reshaping existing systems and processes worldwide.
According to Zurburg, designers must bear responsibility for their involvement in creating environmental problems and proactively strive towards solutions. The organization collaborates with policymakers, creatives, and activists worldwide and has registered pillar organizations in Delhi, Nairobi, Tokyo, São Paolo, and Mexico City. What Design Can Do’s challenges since launching in 2010 have seen innovative solutions, including biodegradable shelters, compostable coffins made of mycelium, and radiofrequency ID cards that aim to help refugees.
Zurburg and van der Laken are not only interested in exploring new materials but also seek to redesign systems to cater to the diverse range of contestants. The 2024 Redesign Everything challenge has already received over 550 innovative, inspiring ideas from all over the world, ranging from neighbourhood initiatives aimed at revitalizing local food systems, solar-powered innovations, and electric cars. The jury will evaluate 33 nominees to determine the ten winners, who will receive €10,000 to bring their ideas to life.
The winning designers will travel to Amsterdam during the first week of July as part of the prestigious What Design Can Do live program. The five-day course includes masterclasses, workshops, and interactions with leading circular design agencies. The program will culminate on July 5th with hundreds of creatives, policymakers, and activists engaging in a productive discussion of how creativity can be a game-changer in creating a more sustainable future
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