The Goethe Institut in the Sub-Saharan African region has announced a call for participation in its upcycling competition.
Upcycling is the process of transforming waste or useless materials into products of new value. In contrast to down cycling, this form of recycling results in the recovery of materials.
Through the competition, the institute aims to support the ideas of start-ups in the cultural and creative industries that can solve upcycling-related challenges.
The competition is open to all creative people – librarians, craftsmen, artists, designers and anyone who has a good idea that meets the competition’s criteria.
“Concepts and ideas for upcycling should be submitted. The selected ideas will receive financial support of up to EUR 1 000 (about N$16 872),” said Goethe-Institut press and communications officer Lendl Izaaks.
According to Izaaks, there are no restrictions on theme or content.
“The focus is on the theme of upcycling and the creative process. The new objects, library or community projects to be designed can serve a practical and/or purely artistic purpose. Mostly recycled materials and only a few new materials should be used,” he said.
The presentation of the submissions and the winners will be done digitally, subject to Covid, and a maximum of two project ideas can be submitted per participant.
Participants are invited to submit the following documents: a presentation poster with pictures, drawings, collages of the object or a description of the upcycling project, simplified curriculum vitae, cost estimate for the creation of the object/realisation of the project, and a statement/description of the object/project with text and video.
“Applications must be submitted in digital form only. By submitting your application, you give the Goethe-Institut permission to publish all entries on its websites and social media. All participants automatically agree to this rule when submitting,” said Izaaks.
A jury, consisting of representatives from the field of upcycling, cultural and creative industries, among others, will select the eight best ideas.
Application forms are available online until 15 September 2021.
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