Goethe Upcycling Competition and the theme for this year’s World Library and Information Congress is “Working together for the future“. Goethe Institut know that collaboration breeds innovation.
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 Start-ups in the Cultural and Creative Industries. The Upcycling workshop aims to address these two themes.
Upcycling (“up” and Recycling / “Reuse”) is the process of transforming waste or (apparently) useless materials into products of new value.
In contrast to downcycling, this form of recycling results in the recovery of materials. By recycling or reusing existing materials, the use of raw materials can be reduced (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upcycling).
By reusing and converting used materials, unusual and everyday objects will be creatively redesigned and thus upgraded or brought into a different context.
The 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. Goethe Inat therefore launching this Goethe-Upcycling Call for ideas.
Concepts and ideas for upcycling should be submitted. The selected ideas will receive financial support of up to EUR 1,000.
The Goethe-Upcycling competition is open to all creative people, Librarians, Craftsmen, Artists, Designers and anyone who has a good idea that meets the competition criteria.
Important Information:
There are no restrictions on 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.
Goethe Upcycling Competition Prize:
A Jury consisting of representatives from the field of upcycling, cultural and creative industries, among others, will select the 8 best ideas, the realisation of which will be financially supported with 1.000 Euros.
The presentation of the submissions and the winners will be done digitally, subject to Corona. A maximum of two projects ideas can be submitted per participant.
How to Apply for Goethe Upcycling Competition:
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 curriculum vitae, if necessary with other work in PDF
- Cost estimate for the creation of the object or the realisation of the project
- 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.)
Visit the Official Webpage to Apply
Application Deadline:
The deadline for submissions is 15th September 2021.
