Global Main Partner
Global Strategic Partners
Ministry of foreign affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the channel through which the Dutch Government communicates with foreign governments and international organisations. It coordinates and carries out Dutch foreign policy.
Secrid
Design couple Marianne van Sasse van Ysselt and René van Geer have worked for many industrial clients over the past decades. Since 2009 they have been focusing 100% on their own brand: Secrid pocketwear, driven by their dream to be able to create products entirely according to their own values and insights. And without making concessions to customers or shareholders. Secrid consciously opts for production in the Netherlands, with a focus on people and the environment. For more information, please visit www.secrid.com.
ClickNL
CLICKNL - for creative professionals and enterprising researchers The creative industry is a driver of innovation. It delivers human-oriented solutions for societal challenges. To be able to continue to deliver that impact, CLICKNL, Top Consortium of the top sector Creative Industries, wants to enhance the creative professional's knowledge base. In doing so, we strengthen the sector and the innovative capacity of the Netherlands.
Fedrigoni
Fedrigoni Paper is the heart of the production of quality papers for printing, publishing, labels, bookbinding, packaging and paper converting. Fedrigoni makes over 2500 products, using a wealth of experience and knowledge in a unique style. At Fedrigoni, sustainability has a long history, and attention to low environmental impact processes is a long-standing part of their way of working. They invest in innovation and technology so the range of products increasingly meets ESG criteria.
Dutch Postcode Lottery
The ‘Nationale Postcode Loterij’ (Dutch Postcode Lottery) was founded in 1989 to support charities that work towards a fair, healthy and green world. The lottery raises funds for its charities and communicates about their work.Global Development Partners
Circle Economy
Circle Economy is an impact organisation, founded to create prosperity for all within the limits of our planet. With nature as our mentor, our mission is to empower businesses, cities and nations with data, tools and knowledge to translate the circular economy into action.
Impact Hub Amsterdam
Impact Hub network of innovators with more than 16,000 members in over 100 cities around the world. To make change happen, Impact Hub facilitates entrepreneurial solutions to society’s biggest challenges. From their headquarters in Amsterdam, they host more than 250 impact events and accelerate more than 150 enterprises each year. Learn more at amsterdam.impacthub.net.
STBY
STBY is a strategic partner of the No Waste Challenge. As a design research consultancy based in London and Amsterdam, STBY connects organisations with the lives and experiences of their customers, bringing real people into the heart of service innovation processes. STBY is the initiator and co-founder of the global REACH network and has been a design research partner of What Design Can Do since 2015. Learn more at www.stby.eu.
Dutch Design Foundation
Dutch Design Foundation (DDF) is optimistic and believes that the problem-solving capacity of designers can improve the world. That’s why DDF offers designers opportunities, support, publicity and a platform. They do this in a variety of ways.
The foundation organises events such as Dutch Design Week and Dutch Design Awards. And organises year-round programmes such as World Design Embassies, What if Lab, Driving Dutch Design and Eindhoven Design District. DDF stimulates and inspires, reaching well beyond the Netherlands.
Global Media Partners
Conscious Carma
It is a platform that celebrates individuals, societies and governments who are taking conscious initiatives towards a sustainable and equal world. For more information, please visit consciouscarma.com.
Stirworld
Instituted in 2014, STIR was founded to promote, propagate and foster creativity and innovation in the fields of design, architecture and new-media art in India and across the world. For more information, please visit stirworld.com.
Audiogyan
Audiogyan is a collection of conversations with luminaries of the Indian creative world. The podcast was founded in 2016 by Kedar Nimkar to document the thoughts and ideas of Indian designers, artists, musicians, writers, thinkers, and luminaries of the creative world. For more information, please visit audiogyan.com.
Shado Mag
shado is a lived-experience led community of artists, activists and journalists united in the fight for social change. They believe those with lived experience of an issue or injustice are best placed to advocate for meaningful change within that space. shado exists to disrupt, diversify and decolonise the current media landscape through amplifying the voices of people on the frontline of social change. They do this through connecting journalists, activists and artists across borders through collaboration. shado works with a community of over 300 artists, activists and journalists in 56 countries around the world to spotlight necessary and innovative stories – promoting their main mission of decolonising and demystifying some of the most important issues of our lifetime. For more information please visit: shado-mag.com
BNO
The Association of Dutch Designers (BNO) connects, represents and strengthens the design sector. BNO was founded by and for designers. Our history goes back more than a hundred years. Today we are the largest community of designers and design agencies in the Netherlands, with a professional team that supports and promotes designers and their work.
Isola Design
Dutch Design Daily
Dutch Design Daily is an online platform that shows a new current topic every day in the broad field of Dutch Design, architecture, digital design, photography, graphic design, fashion & textiles, product design and spatial design. It also features interviews with designers and focuses on education and heritage. www.dutchdesigndaily.com
STATE OF FASHION
State of Fashion is an international fashion platform that connects pioneers in fashion design, research and business, and shares their ideas and innovations with the world. We stand for critical reflection on common positions and models in the fashion industry. With a biennale, discussion programs, labs for design research, exhibitions and publications, we bring visionary ideas from the Netherlands and abroad together. Together with designers, companies, scientists, educators, consumers and other stakeholders in fashion, we actively explore an urgently needed new fashion system. More information: stateoffashion.org
Esmiyor
We are a purpose-driven design agency focusing on sustainability and climate change and an independent media platform. For more information please visit www.esmiyor.earth.
Positive News
Positive News is the magazine for good journalism about good things. When much of the media is full of doom and gloom, instead Positive News is the first media organisation in the world that is dedicated to quality, independent reporting about what's going right. We are pioneers of 'constructive journalism' – a new approach in the media, which is about rigorous and relevant journalism that is focused on progress, possibility, and solutions. We publish daily online and Positive News magazine is published quarterly in print. As a magazine and a movement, we are changing the news for good.
XXI
XXI Architecture Design and Art focuses on architecture and design's capacity to generate sociality, quality public life, and equality. Through projects, interviews, and critical articles, XXI aims to provide a general view of the current approaches. We are very aware that spatial politics is dominant in every part of our daily life. And architecture and design play a crucial role in this. We are curious to discover architecture and design’s possible roles and potentials in generating new responses to the realm of neoliberal space-making practices. For more information, please visit: xximagazine.com.
Ruul
Flexible and universal work and life solutions made for the remote reality. Ruul is your master key to keeping pace with the needs of the modern and flexible world of work. Find your counterpart, agree and join forces easily and without compromising your autonomy. Build and manage talent-client relations in your best-suited way with job posts and applications, custom agreements, universally recognized invoices, global employment solution and cross-currency payments. Enjoy working across borders with no maintenance. Today over 10.000 organizations work compatibly with more than 50.000 talents with ease and compliance all around the work with Ruul. For more information visit ruul.io.
Design Indaba
Established in 1995 with its flagship conference, Design Indaba has evolved into a multidisciplinary experience that now comprises the globally acclaimed annual Design Indaba Conference, Simulcast, Expo and FilmFest, as well as a host of community initiatives, training workshops, music festivals, design projects, performances and publications. Designindaba.com is the online culmination of the Design Indaba experience. From the start Design Indaba has been a partner and strong supporter of What Design Can Do.
TOPIA MAGAZINE
TOPIA MAGAZINE is a kaleidoscopic new online culture, nature and positive impact magazine where anything goes – as long as it’s good. The joy is in the mix. Packed with matters that impact everyone from design to conservation, TOPIA MAGAZINE is bursting with perspectives from the world’s wildest edges and introductions to the remarkable people – and creatures – keeping our planet cool. Like a magical mystery tour of weird and wonderful stories from our extraordinary world in metamorphosis, it’s a great place to get lost for anyone who has ever wondered just what this mind-bender of a universe is all about – or just wants to be entertained with outrageously good stories and powerful visuals. Choose your own adventure by clicking on The Rabbit Hole randomiser on each page which transports you to a different feature every time. Learn more at worldoftopia.com and follow @worldoftopia on all the usual social channels.
KoozArch
KoozArch is a research-driven studio and digital magazine exploring our un-built environment. In conversation with visionary contributors, we propose alternative critical readings of the un-built as a form of constructive resistance to current inequalities and instabilities which are affecting our contemporary society and environment. To this end, we explore the un-built as Tool for Critical Thinking, Research for Action and Ground for Virtual World-making. Via our magazine, whose formats span from columns to essays and interviews, we strive to inspire unbuilt imaginaries, drive systemic change, and nurture new voices.
ADCN
ADCN is the association for creativity in advertising and design in the Netherlands. ADCN has the mission to develop the best creative collective in the world: unleash creativity, stimulate excellence and kickstart innovation in communications in the Netherlands.
It’s Freezing in LA!
It's Freezing in LA! is a critically acclaimed independent magazine with a fresh take on climate change. Printed bi-annually, we find the ground between science and activism, inviting writers and illustrators from a variety of fields to give us their view on how climate change will affect — and is affecting — society.
Slanted
Slanted Publishers is an internationally active publishing and media house founded in 2014 by Lars Harmsen and Julia Kahl. They publish the award-winning print magazine Slanted, covering international developments in design and culture twice a year. Since its establishment in 2004, the daily Slanted blog highlights news and portfolios from the international design scene. Slanted’s publishing program reflects their own diverse interests, focusing on contemporary design and culture, working closely with editors and authors to produce outstanding publications with meaningful content and high quality.Brazil Partners
Mandacaru
Mandacaru is the organization partner of What Design Can Do Brasil. As a production and communication studio with more than a decade of experience in cultural and events management, Mandacaru maintains an extensive network of collaborators both locally and internationally. Since 2015, Mandacaru has been the Brazilian partner of What Design Can Do, producing successful conferences, design challenges and workshops in Brazil. Learn more at www.mandacarudesign.com.br.
Netherlands Consulate General in São Paulo
The diplomatic mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Brazil aims to ensure that the Dutch cultural sector has a strong position abroad through visibility, exchanges and long-term partnerships, supporting bilateral relations through Dutch cultural expression. The mission seeks to harness the power of the cultural sector and creative industries in efforts to achieve the SDG.
Flutter Innovation
Flutter Innovation is the research partner of What Design Can Do São Paulo & Rio. Flutter imagines, designs and builds the future by bringing together highly skilled people. Their multidisciplinary team is inspired by nature, driven by good challenges, and passionate about collaboration. Flutter works with institutions to foster innovation from concept to execution. As a networking enterprise, they also act as a hub for design research, business development and mentoring. Learn more at www.flutter-innovation.com.
Dapoda
Dapoda was born at the University of São Paulo and is led by designer Caio Dutra and architect Tiago Schützer. They bring together a range of expertise and interests, from material cultures and consumption to systemic design and digital fabrication.
A group of designers and architects from the University of São Paulo found that up to 30% of this residue is composed of solid wood representing a diversity of species and potential uses. They created Dapoda with the goal of using design to extend the value of this raw material, exploring creative ways it can be recovered, analysed and made into circular products and services. Their experiments so far have yielded a range of furniture, toys, and even frames for use in construction. The team is also working to build a knowledge ecosystem around their innovations. By integrating a social approach, the hope is that Dapoda becomes a ‘living lab’ for circular initiatives, nurturing deeper interactions between the city and its natural environment.
Perifa Sustentável
Perifa Sustentável Institutions is an organization mobilizing youth for a new development agenda for Brazil, based on racial and environmental justice.
FIIS
International Festival of Social Innovation, the first entrepreneurship and social innovation festival in the world. A movement of people and organizations that dream of a better world with more peace, love, and joy. We work to generate personal and collective change, inspiring people to build a society based in respect, comprehension, and collaboration.
Questtonó Manyone
Hong Kong to São Paulo, New York to Copenhagen, we help organizations to uncover opportunities and implement outstanding experiences driven by a systemic design approach. We believe that great creative solutions are only possible when conceived as a whole and not as isolated parts.That is why we use design and technology to human behavior understanding and brand strategy as our foundation to build complete ecosystems, putting together physical and digital products, services, and visual expressions.INDIA Partner
Quicksand
Quicksand is the research partner of What Design Can Do Delhi. Positioned as a hybrid between design studio and business consultancy, Quicksand facilitates the creation of meaningful experiences through design research and innovation. Their practice builds on inspiration and insights from the ‘experiential reality’ of people, whether they be users, stakeholders or clients. Quicksand also has access to a broad and multidisciplinary network of professionals through their annual international festival UnBox. Learn more at quicksand.co.in.
Dutch Embassy in India
UnBox
Unbox is the organisation partner of What Design Can Do Delhi. Founded by Quicksand, UnBox Cultural Futures Society is a platform exploring new narratives and building action at the intersection of disciplines, to reimagine India’s plural futures. As part of its agenda, UnBox creates festivals, labs and publications that bring together diverse practitioners as a means of driving more sustainable and impactful social and cultural change in India. Learn more at www.unboxfestival.com.JAPAN Partner
Shibaura House
Shibaura House is the organisation partner of What Design Can Do Tokyo. This unique hub for arts and culture aims to provide a platform for creative projects that are rooted in the local community. This includes events ranging from workshops for local residents to programmes with invited guest creators from abroad. Besides connecting people and championing creativity, Shibaura House also supports various projects engaging with social and environmental issues. Learn more at shibaurahouse.jp.
Dutch Embassy in Japan
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan is a funding partner of What Design Can Do Tokyo. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is the linchpin in the long-standing relations between Japan and the Netherlands. The Public Diplomacy, Political & Cultural Affairs of the embassy engages in the bilateral political exchange, is in charge of the communication strategy and implements the International Cultural Policy of the Dutch government in Japan. Learn more at www.netherlandsandyou.nl/your-country-and-the-netherlands/japan.KENYA Partner
KCIC
Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) is the funding partner of What Design Can Do Nairobi. KCIC offers incubation, capacity building and financing options to new, small and medium business ventures and Kenyan entrepreneurs that are developing innovations to address the challenges of climate change. We provide holistic and country-driven support to accelerate the development, deployment and transfer of locally relevant climate technologies. Learn more at https://www.kenyacic.org.
Dutch Embassy in Kenya
Matchboxology
Matchboxology is Africa's first Human Centered Design Consultancy based in South Africa. Working with global clients and governments, Matchboxology employs a unique Human Centered design methodology to develop services and products that work. Matchboxology is the research partner for What Design Can Do Kenya.MEXICO Partners
ArchDaily
The world's most visited architecture website. For more information please visit: archdaily.com
Tecnológico de Monterrey Escuela de Arquitectura, Arte y Diseño
The Tecnológico de Monterrey, founded in 1943, is a private, non-profit institution committed to the quality of higher education in the country. We use educational experiences to shape individuals into agents of change willing to work for the benefit of all—individuals who take responsibility for their own lives and are aware that their actions can transform others—capable, talented, upright, committed, involved visionaries with a global perspective and entrepreneurial spirit, not only at the university, but in all spheres of their lives. For more information visit https://tec.mx/en
Gobierno de la Ciudad de México | Secretaría de Medio Ambiente
The Ministry of the Environment (SEDEMA) is a dependency of the public administration of the Government of Mexico City, dependent on the Head of Government, which is in charge of formulating, executing and evaluating the policy of the Federal District in environmental matters and natural resources. For more information visit https://www.sedema.cdmx.gob.mx/
ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara
ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara — distinct from the University of Guadalajara — also known as Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente, ITESO, is a Jesuit university in the Western Mexican state of Jalisco, located in the municipality of Tlaquepaque in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area. For more information visit https://www.iteso.mx/
Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO)
The Ibero-American University is a Mexican private institution of higher education, sponsored by the Society of Jesus. In 2009, the UIA received the SEP-ANUIES Prize as the best private university in Mexico. The Ibero's flagship campus is located in the Santa Fe district of Mexico City. For more information visit: https://ibero.mx/
Universidad de la Comunicación
The Universidad de la Comunicación (University of Communication) is a private university founded on 1976, that teaches undergraduate courses related to communication and culture such as: Publicity, Communication and Management of Culture and Art, Social Communication, Visual Communication, Organizational Communication, Marketing and Film. It has the validation of the Mexican Secretariat of Public Education and the recognition of the International Advertising Association. For more information visit: https://www.uc.edu.mx/
GNP Seguros
GNP is the Founding Partner of What Design Can Do in Mexico - a Mexican insurance company with the most experience and solidity in the country. GNP’s commitment to Mexican families is reflected in the protection it provides to its more than 4 million policyholders in the Life, Major Medical Expenses, Damage and Auto insurance lines. Learn more at https://www.gnp.com.mx/.
Universidad Anahuac
The Anahuac University Network is a private universities system grouped and administered by the religious congregation of the Legion of Christ. The network is composed of several universities, some with different names and educational approaches. For more information visit: https://www.anahuac.mx/en
Nestlé
Nestlé is the largest food and beverage company in the world. It has more than 2,000 brands that range from global icons to local favorites, and with presence in 191 countries around the world. Helados Nestlé has the mission of creating magical moments of enjoyment and happiness. It seeks to combine the pleasure of a taste, with a call to responsible nutrition; because he cares about the welfare of the community.
Orbita
Founded in 2017, Orbita is a communication bureau located in Mexico City that specializes in press, public relations and digital strategy. It arises from the need to provide personal attention to projects focused on cultural, social, creative and innovative industries.
Dutch Embassy in Mexico
de la O
delaO design studio is the Research Ally of the WDCD No Waste Challenge in Mexico City. Founded in 2010 in the Dutch city of Eindhoven before relocating to Mexico City, delaO design studio is an award-winning creative agency specialized in design-driven research. They are also experienced cultural translators, who work with international companies to help them align their values with the Mexican market and to expand their cultural impact in the region. Learn more at www.delao.mx.
GRUPO EXPANSION
Grupo Expansion is a Leader Partner of the WDCD No Waste Challenge in Mexico City. Grupo Expansion is one of the most influential multi-media companies in Mexico. With a mission to create exciting media experiences that enrich the life of their audience, Grupo Expansión has distinguished itself for its high journalistic quality and its ethics based on transparency, truth and respect for its audience. Recently Grupo Expansion has expanded its reach through offering a rich portfolio of services that include: events and experiences, content production and out of home publicity. Learn more at https://grupoexpansion.com/.
BADHOMBRE
BADHOMBRE is a multi-collaborator service platform focused on men's fashion, with opinion pieces about what defines men's style and the economics, anthropology and philosophy of clothing and style. They complete their content through fashion editorials, video productions, and profiles about men of style. BADHOMBRE publishes original posts daily. For more information, please visit badhombremagazine.com.
MEOW Magazine
MEOW Magazine ®, created entirely in Mexico City since 2013, is an editorial platform specialized in fashion and culture that seeks to spread, propose and represent talents and events in the creative industries of, mainly, Mexico and Latin America, in an inclusive, respectful and free way. For more information, please visit meowmag.mx.
YACONIC
Yaconic is an independent media outlet founded in 2013 that spreads culture through all possible platforms. It seeks to create a link between professionals and people interested in learning different creative disciplines through their workshops, as well as through the creation of audiovisual content with extensive research and original themes. For more information, please visit www.yaconic.com.
ONDA MX
Onda MX is the art radar of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Find information about what's happening—exhibitions, events, cultural activities, news, maps and calendars—as well as critical content about art being produced and exhibited locally. For more information, please visit: www.ondamx.art
The Netherlands Partners
Amsterdam Fund for the Arts
The Amsterdam Fund for the Arts believes artists, creativity and experimentation are inextricably linked to Amsterdam. The AFK supports projects and programmes that increase interest in art and culture, appeal to a wide audience and maintain the multiformity of the array of art available in the city.
Arco
Arco is a family business founded 118 years ago. Since then, Arco has focused on designing, developing and manufacturing handcrafted wooden tables by embracing both artisanal skills and modern technology. Arco’s mission is to develop traditional craftsmanship into craftsmanship for the 21st century. All Arco’s products are manufactured in its own factory, preferably from local materials, and always to the highest quality. Arco’s designs are contemporary, understated, and not subject to the vagaries of fashion. In other words, Arco’s tables are timeless: a table for life, less a traditional dining table, more a “living” table, the heart of a modern office or home. As such, Arco makes sustainable choices when it can, and strives to make more such choices every year. We are Arco, we make tables. For this generation and the next. And the next. Please visit arco.nl.
Amsterdam Economic Board
The Amsterdam Economic Board is the prime network of organisations building the Metropolis of Tomorrow. Our partners are leading the way to a new economy. They include businesses, universities, schools and research institutions, municipalities, provinces, and civil society organisations of all sizes. For more information visit https://amsterdameconomicboard.com/en/
CITY OF AMSTERDAM
The City of Amsterdam is a funding partner of What Design Can Do in Amsterdam. In 2020, the City adopted a circular strategy focused on ensuring a good life for all of its residents, while respecting the earth and its planetary boundaries. Taking inspiration from economist Kate Raworth’s ‘Doughnut Model’, the City will develop various solutions regarding food, buildings and goods, to achieve a fully circular city by 2050. Learn more at www.amsterdam.nl.
PROVINCE OF NORTH-HOLLAND
The Province of North-Holland is an endorsing partner of the No Waste Challenge 2021. The Province is working hard towards a new economy: a circular economy. The province believes that the transformation from a linear economy to a fully circular economy is necessary to secure a healthy and sustainable environment for all 2.8 million residents of North-Holland. In the new strategy, ‘Agenda Circular Economy 2021-2025’, the province focuses on accelerating the transition and helping the fundamentally needed change of the system. Learn more at www.noord-holland.nl.