The Global Competition on Design for Futures (GCD4F) is an international event initiated by Beijing Normal University in 2018 and co-organized with the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE). As an annual flagship event of the World Digital Education Alliance (WDEA), it has attracted over 15,000 participants from 40+ countries and regions, contributing over 3,000 education-oriented solutions.

The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in universities worldwide. Participants are required to form teams of 3–5 members, and each team must include at least one member who is fluent in English.

The competition features three themes.

• AI for Education Explore an AI-driven future of inclusive and equitable quality education for all—by enhancing personality development, transforming teaching and assessment, empowering marginalized groups and learners with disabilities, and integrating a focus on education for health and well-being.
• AI for Science Create cross-disciplinary research paradigms powered by AI, developing new platforms, methods, and collaboration models to accelerate scientific discovery across climate science, pharmaceutical R&D, sustainable materials, and energy innovation.
• AI for Society Envision a more resilient, equitable, and humancentered society empowered by AI—advancing mental health and well-being, promoting sustainable urban management, strengthening judicial fairness, and fostering civic participation.

The Regional Phase of the Global Competition (Eastern Europe and Central Asia) for Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan is to be held by the Investment in the Future Charitable Foundation in cooperation with its partner, one of Russia’s leading pedagogical universities, Moscow City University. Up to 20 teams are expected to participate in the Regional Phase, from which two winning teams will be determined for further participation in the Global Final in Beijing.

Regional Phase of the Global Competition for Eastern Europe and Central Asia