Save your future!

Young people have their own ideas about the future, and want to act and take on responsibility with creative ideas and specific projects. With the IFOK-developed schools competition “Save your future”, Düsseldorf-based family enterprise Henkel offers young people the opportunity to publicly demonstrate their commitment and encourage others to get involved.

Climate change, environmental destruction, a shortage of water and other resources – the list of negative news items is long. However, young people in particular need the hope of a better future and the motivation to actively shape this. In two innovation workshops in the summer of 2008, IFOK developed initial concepts for a sustainability platform with youngsters from Berlin and Heidelberg. The results of these two workshops were used as the basis for creating concept for the schools competition. Henkel KG & Co. KGaA will use this to launch a competition platform for young people’s ideas and projects on the Internet in June 2009. Until the autumn of 2009, youngsters from all over Germany will be able to take part in the competition. Those with the best projects will be given a chance to present their ideas to the executive board at the Henkel headquarters in Düsseldorf in the spring of 2010, and the winners will be awarded prizes. With this competition, Henkel is expanding on what is already an award-winning commitment to sustainability. The company is not only taking responsibility for its own actions, but is also offering the new generation a platform via which it can help to preserve natural resources through sustainable development. With IFOK as an experienced partner in youth participation, education for sustainable development, and competition management, “Save your future” not only builds hope for the future but also encourages people to get involved.