Cross-Border Collaboration in Action: Teaming Up Workshop Tackles Megatrends and Innovation

The workshop program was guided by Sitra’s 2023 Megatrends, which outline five critical shifts shaping our future. These include the environmental crisis, as human activity increasingly exceeds the planet’s limits—threatening climate stability, biodiversity, and natural resources. Societal well-being is also under strain, with mental health issues, inequality, and aging populations placing pressure on social systems. Democratic values are facing growing challenges due to polarization and misinformation. The global race for digital power is accelerating, driven by competition over data, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure. Meanwhile, current economic models are weakening, calling for more resilient, inclusive, and fair approaches to growth.

As a hands-on activity, participants created problem maps based on these megatrends. Each group selected a specific trend, placed it at the center of their map, and identified related phenomena, consequences, and challenges. They examined who is affected by these issues and how. This exercise helped teams break down broad global trends into concrete, actionable problems.

In the prototyping phase, participants explored the concept of low-fidelity prototyping. Rather than focusing on appearance, teams prioritized functionality—what they wanted to test and validate. Prototypes were created using simple, accessible materials, making them quick, inexpensive, and easy to adapt. The goal was to gather feedback and insights efficiently to support further development.

The workshop culminated in a pitching session. Each team had four minutes to present their idea and five minutes to receive feedback. Pitches addressed the problem being tackled, its relevance, and the proposed solution, all while demonstrating creativity, clarity, and impact. Teams also reflected on their learning experiences—both individually and collectively—and considered how megatrends and sustainability shaped their thinking and approach.

The final group discussion served not only as a conclusion to the workshop but also as a launch point for continued development. Participants were encouraged to carry their ideas forward and explore how entrepreneurship can offer practical and sustainable solutions to global challenges.

Looking ahead, participants will continue working in small teams to refine their ideas and develop minimum viable products (MVPs). Two online follow-up sessions are scheduled to support this next phase: on May 27 and June 18, 2025.