Celebrating moments of impact, growth and creativity

Dear friends, supporters and champions of change,

As we near the end of this remarkable year and head into the holiday season, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of our journey - our collaborators, our incredible community and our supporters. Every milestone we have reached and every child we have worked with is a testament to the collective effort and dedication of our community. Your generous support has been the guiding light that fuels our mission to empower children as co-designers of our shared future.?

This holiday season, as we reflect and rejuvenate, we want to share the?journey we've been on. Together, we've achieved so much, and it wouldn't have been possible without your support! ??

2023 highlights:

?? The Global Children’s Designathon 2023 was a resounding success and a true testament to global collaboration and creativity. Across 18 countries, over 3.100 children came together to champion the cause of restoring biodiversity. Participating countries included the Netherlands, Bulgaria, China, DRC, France, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Vietnam. Their enthusiasm and commitment to creating positive change were nothing short of awe-inspiring. Watch the videos here .

?? Thanks to the generous support of Theirworld , we initiated a Leave No One Behind pilot project for refugee children in the Netherlands. The impact? We reached 100+ young minds and guided them to take actionable steps to address climate challenges. It's amazing to see the seeds of change taking root! The lessons learned from this pilot will guide us as we refine the project for expansion, allowing us to extend climate education to refugee children in many regions of the world. A report of our findings and learnings will be released shortly.

?? The successful culmination of our Education to Inspire project, supported by the Chocolonely Foundation, was nothing short of inspiring. The culminating events in Ghana and C?te d'Ivoire brought together teachers and children in a celebration of achievement. The collaborative efforts demonstrated the power of education in developing future leaders of change.

???? We believe in the power of bringing together perspectives from around the world. We have had the incredible opportunity to work with and learn from the amazing children of Abu Dhabi. Culture and identity are not just abstract concepts; they are integral parts of who we are, shaping our perceptions and aspirations. Witnessing how children perceive and express these aspects was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Their creativity, insights and unique perspectives reminded us of the beauty of diversity and the importance of nurturing it from an early age. Our journey in Abu Dhabi was not only about imparting knowledge but also about listening and understanding their values and cultural heritage.

?? The young participants were invited to participate in a panel discussion at the launch event of the World Early Childhood Development Movement at COP28 in Dubai. During the discussion, they shared their insights and presented their prototypes, highlighting the importance of incorporating children's perspectives in shaping conversations about early childhood development.

???? We have successfully conducted three training sessions for Methodist Preschool teachers in Singapore. These sessions were specifically designed for a new age group of 5 & 6 year old preschoolers using an adapted curriculum. Participants were immersed in the theory, process and facilitation techniques essential to conducting effective workshops with children. The training also focused on refining teaching skills and exploring theme-based materials, intending to increase teachers' proficiency in using the Designathon methodology.

?? In collaboration with the An Taisce Environmental Education Unit Green-Schools in Ireland, and funded by Erasmus+, we have managed to weave sustainability into the classrooms of schools in the Netherlands and Ireland through the Climate Classrooms project. The enthusiasm of educators and the creativity of young minds have set the stage for a future anchored in empowerment and sustainability.

?? Our masterclass with OBA Maaksymposium united visionary educators from Finland, Iceland, Denmark, the UK, and the Netherlands to explore the limitless potential of Designathon methodology in education. In a 6-week project in Amsterdam New West, we engaged 15 children, mainly from immigrant backgrounds, focusing on Design the main square to invite adults to play again. They conducted extensive research, gaining insights into play and adult needs. Armed with newfound knowledge, they designed interventions to reignite adult play, catching the attention of local leaders. This initiative showcased Designathon's transformative power in fostering empathy, creativity, and community engagement among the younger generation. Read more (in Dutch)

?? We are proud to work with our international partners to implement FOOD RESCUE, an innovative Erasmus+ project that aims to change societal perspectives on food waste while promoting climate education and youth participation. The initiative equips young learners with critical transversal skills to address 21st-century challenges and provides an empowering curriculum that encourages children to develop solutions and take social action against food waste. Unlike many educational interventions that focus solely on awareness, FOOD RESCUE pioneers a comprehensive approach that instills an entrepreneurial spirit and cultivates a social activist mindset. The ultimate goal is to create responsible entrepreneurs for the future. Visit the project website .

? We are excited to share with you a toolkit, created with a grant from Patagonia, that serves as a powerful resource that empowers children to learn about grassroots activism through engaging activities and hands-on experiences. Titled Get Smart. Get Active. Get Vocal. And Get Going! this toolkit builds on the foundation of the Designathon methodology and enables children to learn the basics of advocacy by doing, encouraging them to take impactful steps toward societal change. It's a step toward empowering young minds to become proactive changemakers in their communities. Together, we are shaping a better future, with young changemakers leading the way! You can download it here .

?? P.S. We acknowledge that the impact of war on children is profound and enduring. Our thoughts and support extend to the children impacted by wars, hoping for a future where their innocence is preserved and their dreams are not overshadowed by the scars of war.

Your unwavering belief in our cause has been instrumental in reaching these milestones. We're reimagining an education that knows no boundaries and inspires creativity and problem-solving!

As we gear up for an even more impactful year, stay tuned for more exciting adventures and initiatives in the year ahead. Please feel free to get in touch with us - your ideas and thoughts are invaluable to us!

Wishing you all a joyful and restful holiday season. Here's to a wonderful break filled with happiness and rejuvenation!

?

With heartfelt gratitude,

Designathon Works Squad ??

One more thing before you go:

?? As you consider your year-end donations of charity and impact, please consider Designathon Works Foundation and the work we are doing to impact 1 million children as changemakers around the world. Check out our website to find out more about the work we do and download our pledge folder now.