Previous challenges and partners
Find out about the challenges featured so far in the programme.
We have partnered with over 30 organisations from the non-profit, public and private sectors to contribute towards the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Our challenge themes are aligned with the University's Research and Innovation Strategy 2030 themes – Climate and Environment, Future Health and Care, and Data Digital and Artificial Intelligence. Look below to see the previous challenge questions and themes addressed.
You can also find out how Change Agents addressed these challenges by watching their videos and presentations on our Media Hopper page.
Climate and Environment
How might we equip young people from all backgrounds with the skills they need to tackle the climate crisis?
Challenge Partner: Apps for Good
How can teaching and learning at the university enable everyone to take meaningful action to address the climate and environmental crisis?
Challenge Partner: University of Edinburgh (Think Tank)
How can Scotland inspire successful businesses to become driven by social purpose and not just profit?
Challenge Partner: Everyone's Edinburgh
How can the construction industry use digital technology to contribute to the circular economy and more liveable cities?
Challenge Partner: Robertson Construction Group
How can clients and consultants in the construction industry embrace a philosophy of designing out waste?
Challenge Partner: Robertson Construction Group
How can airlines radically overhaul their environmental impact whilst remaining fit for purpose?
Challenge Partner: Eurowings Discover
How can the Scottish space sector become the most sustainable in the world?
Challenge Partner: Space Scotland
What can construction businesses do to minimise their environmental impact and change behaviour across the industry?
Challenge Partner: Robertson Construction Group
What can housing associations do to prevent fuel poverty?
Challenge Partner: Link Housing
How could ‘Journeys within our Community’ go further in supporting Cambodian youth in contributing to the sustainable development of their society?
Challenge Partner: Journeys within our Community
How might we engage all householders in Scotland to decarbonise their homes?
Challenge Partner: Changeworks
How can Scotland save vacant buildings to save the planet?
Challenge Partner: Grand Bequest
How can tenements in Scotland be supported to tackle the climate crisis making all homes cleaner and greener?
Challenge Partner: Under One Roof Scotland
How might Edinburgh create an environmentally sustainable future in the revival of its tourism industry and festivals post Covid 19?
Challenge Partner: Edinburgh Tourism Action Group
How can Scotland move beyond awareness raising and have the fair-trade concept instilled in public consciousness and buying practices?
Challenge Partner: Scottish Fair Trade Forum
How might we influence people that the reintroduction of apex predators, such as lynx, will be of benefit to society?
Challenge Partner: Scotland: The Big Picture
Future Health and Care
In what ways are online and offline violence affecting children connected? How can the connections between online and offline violence affecting children inform better prevention practice?
Challenge Partner: End Violence Against Children
How might all students feel fully part of the university of the future and know that their growth matters?
Challenge Partner: University of Edinburgh (Think Tank)
How might we radically scale the end of violence against children using pathfinding cities?
Challenge Partner: End Violence Against Children
How might students influence the design of courses at the University?
Challenge Partner: University of Edinburgh (Think Tank)
How might we excite people from all walks of life about literature?
Challenge Partner: Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature
How can Scotland prevent lives being harmed by alcohol?
Challenge Partner: Alcohol Focus Scotland
How can churches and community groups support the wholeness and wellbeing of older people in Edinburgh?
Challenge Partner: Polwarth Parish Church
How can we enable future Scots to breathe better and own their health and wellbeing?
Challenge Partner: Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
How might we overcome the stigma attached to HIV to improve the wellbeing of those living with the condition?
Challenge Partner: Waverley Care
How can Scotland change to reduce youth homelessness?
Challenge Partner: Clan Childlaw
How can we make rough sleeping a thing of the past?
Challenge Partner: Rowan Alba
How can post-16 education in Scotland be the most inclusive in the world?
Challenge Partner: Sparqs
How can we build a fair and welcoming Scotland for refugees and asylum seekers?
Challenge Partner: Scottish Refugee Council
How might the University's heritage collections be used to benefit all students?
Challenge Partner: University of Edinburgh (Think Tank)
How might the university create opportunities for all students to learn by doing?
Challenge Partner: University of Edinburgh (Think Tank)
How can we present a global index on child welfare so that governments take meaningful action?
Challenge Partner: End Violence Against Children
Data, Digital and Artificial Intelligence
How can the University leverage AI to improve digital accessibility?
Challenge Partner: University of Edinburgh (Think Tank)
How might we use financial data for social good?
Challenge Partner: Smart Data Foundry
How can society fairly support people to develop long-term financial resilience and capability?
Challenge Partner: Scottish Widows and Chartered Insurance Institute
How can the music industry in a post Covid Scotland create jobs and economic growth?
Challenge Partner: Scottish Music Industry Association
How can local businesses be supported to lead the regional economic recovery in Edinburgh?
Challenge Partner: Global Open Finance Centre of Excellence
How can we involve communities in inclusive growth post-COVID-19?
Challenge Partner: Institute of Public Policy Research Scotland
How might we generate a 'buying for social good' ethos amongst society?
Challenge Partner: Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network