Leading the change for People
Whether focusing on social, technological, or scientific innovation, or sustainable business models, Cooperathon participants are challenged to develop solutions promoting well-being, equity, and accessibility.
Our world faces widening inequalities and shifting demographics. Challenges such as unequal access to healthcare and education, rising mental health concerns, aging populations, and threats to human rights demand urgent attention. Moreover, systemic barriers continue to prevent many from fully participating in society.
Key subjects that you may consider (but not limited to):
- Health
- Education
- Mental Health
- Aging Population
- Human Rights and Civic Governance
- Sports and Recreation
- Arts, Culture and Media
This challenge is tied to the following United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals:
Thank you to our Open Innovation Leaders
Challenge as part of Cooperathon 2026
How might we improve human well-being and ensure equitable access to basic needs, healthcare, education, and opportunities, especially for marginalized and vulnerable communities?
Looking for a more specific starting point for your high impact project?
Some of our partners have identified real challenges they’re working on. These are optional inspirations, your project can address one of these directly, or simply use them to spark ideas for the broader People challenge.
Problematic brought by
Bash Developments
How might we design a digital onboarding playbook that helps SMEs seamlessly integrate new employees, centralizing business knowledge, workflows, and software training into a single, easy-to-use source of truth?
Problematic brought by
Global Impact Hub
How might we help underserved communities access learning opportunities that are low-cost, adaptable to their needs, and leverage digital tools and AI to support skill building and participation in the evolving economy?
Learn more and meet the GIH team at
Global Impact Hub x Cooperathon
Problematic brought by
Juno Technologies
How can we create healthcare solutions that embed equity, diversity, and inclusion at its core? How can we ensure that such a solution is tested and validated across diverse individuals to deliver fair and effective outcomes for all? And how can we move beyond one-size-fits-all models to design care that adapts to the unique needs of different communities?
Problematic brought by
Queens University
How might we design and build a scalable, fully integrated experiential learning ecosystem that equips people with the skills, mindset, and networks needed to thrive in an uncertain future?
Stakeholders & Target Audiences (but not limited to) ↓
(not limited to)
- Low-income individuals and families struggling to meet basic needs
- Children and youth without access to quality education, especially in rural or marginalized communities
- Women and girls facing gender-based barriers to education, healthcare, or employment
- Communities with limited access to healthcare services, including maternal health and mental health
- Unemployed or underemployed individuals, especially in developing or underserved urban and rural areas
- Persons with disabilities, the elderly, or displaced populations (e.g., refugees), who often face multiple forms of exclusion
Scope & Constraints ↓
- Use of data should prioritize ethical collection, privacy, and security, especially when dealing with sensitive personal or community-level information.
- Human-Centered Design: Solutions should demonstrate cultural relevance, accessibility, and inclusivity, with attention to the specific needs of the populations they aim to serve.
- Teams should consider gender, age, ability, geography, and socio-economic status when designing their solutions to ensure they do not reinforce existing inequalities.
- Solutions should have a clear path to pilot, test, or scale, with potential to demonstrate measurable social impact over time.
- Solutions must be grounded in one or more of the first five SDGs and clearly articulate the problem, target users, and intended outcome.
Confidentiality ↓
All details relating to technologies, innovations or methods submitted to Cooperathon will remain strictly confidential, unless otherwise indicated.
Data, articles & information ↓
Unlock this information by registering today for Cooperathon 2026
Prize(s) ↓
1st Prize: $10,000
Take up this challenge!
Participate in Cooperathon and transform your ideas into innovative solutions that will bring lasting change to our world.