Call for ideas: Goethe-Institut Namibia Upcycling Competition

The opportunity is open to all creatives including artists, designers, librarians, craftsmen and anyone who has a good idea that meets the competition criteria. Concepts and ideas for upcycling should be submitted. The selected ideas will receive financial support of up to €1 000 (about $1 200).

How it works

There are no restrictions on the theme or content. The focus is on the theme of upcycling and the creative process. The new objects or 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.

The prize

A jury consisting of representatives from the field of upcycling, cultural and creative industries, among others, will select the eight best ideas, the realisation of which will be financially supported with €1 000.

The presentation of submissions and the winners will be done digitally, subject to the coronavirus. A maximum of two project ideas can be submitted per participant.

How to participate

To apply, 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 CV, if necessary with other work, in PDF.
• Cost estimate for the creation of the object or the realisation of the project.
• A statement or description of the object/project with text and video.
• Applications must be submitted in digital form only. By submitting applications, applicants give Goethe-Institut permission to publish all entries on its websites and social media (all participants automatically agree to this rule when submitting).

All applications should be submitted via email to library.windhoek@goethe.de.

The submission deadline is 15 September.

The call was inspired by the World Library and Information Congress’ 2021 theme, Working Together for the Future.

“We know that collaboration breeds innovation,” Goethe-Institut Namibia said. “Many great inventions have come from linking existing ideas. Libraries create analogue and digital spaces that bring creative people together to work on the challenges facing our societies and find solutions together. Two of these challenges are sustainable living and generating revenue for startups in the cultural and creative industries. Our upcycling workshop aims to address these two themes.  Goethe-Instituts in the sub-Saharan Africa region support the creative exploration of the topic of upcycling and want to contribute to sustainability through various measures.”

View the original call here.