A team of students from Gulu University, Uganda has won the gold award in the 2025 Efficiency for Access Design Challenge for their innovative hydrogel solar evaporator design, a sustainable solution that purifies contaminated water using solar energy and hydrogel materials. Designed for use in Ugandan refugee camps, the system is eco-friendly and low-cost, helping improve access to clean water and electricity.
The Efficiency for Access Design Challenge is a global competition that invites teams of university students to design affordable and energy efficient appliances and technologies that can help accelerate energy access for underserved communities in low-income countries. Now in its sixth year, the Challenge has engaged over 700 students from 40 universities across 17 countries, generating more than 115 project ideas that contribute to SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy.
This year’s silver awards were presented to Makerere University, Uganda, for their eco- solar cassava flash dryer, and Aston University, United Kingdom, for their solar-powered sanitary pad vending machine. Bronze awards went to another team from Makerere University, Uganda, for a smart solar-powered poultry feeding system; Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria, for a solar-powered irrigation system; University of Rwanda, for a solar-powered fishpond aerator; and Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, India, for a smart irrigation and fertiliser system. An additional team from the University of Rwanda won the People’s Award for their solar-powered tea leaf harvester.
Jolanda van Ginkel, Head of Portfolio, IKEA Foundation, said,
“The ingenuity and commitment shown by these young innovators is exactly what the world needs to accelerate a just energy transition. By focusing on decentralised renewable energy, grid decarbonisation, and productive use of renewables, their solutions empower communities to thrive. At the IKEA Foundation, we are proud to support initiatives that increase energy efficiency and affordability—because access to renewable energy is not just a climate solution, it’s a pathway to opportunity and resilience.”
Throughout the year, the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge team ran webinars, networking and other interactive events for students, which aimed to enhance their understanding of the off-grid appliance sector. Student teams were also paired with industry mentors who provided them with structured guidance to create their projects.
The Challenge is delivered by Energy Saving Trust, co-Secretariat of Efficiency for Access, in collaboration with Engineers Without Borders UK, and is funded by UK aid from the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform and the IKEA Foundation.
Following the Grand Final on Thursday 26 June 2025, the Challenge will enter a strategic pause to assess its future direction and ensure alignment with the evolving needs of the energy access sector. Having successfully developed globally responsible design skills in university students around the world, the delivery team is now focused on enhancing its impact by more closely reflecting workforce demands in the off-grid appliance sector.
Emilie Carmichael, Head of International, Energy Saving Trust, commented,
“As we mark six years of the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge, it’s inspiring to see how student-led innovation continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in clean energy access. Each year, we’ve seen young people bring forward practical, inclusive solutions that respond to real needs in underserved communities. We’re proud of the Challenge’s achievements– and hopeful about the continued impact of the students and ideas it has helped to nurture.”
To provide sustainable energy for all, we urgently need to enhance the efficiency and affordability of solar-powered appliances. Globally, 750 million people live without electricity, and many more lack reliable access. Solar-powered appliances can help improve lives and livelihoods and help vulnerable communities build climate resilience. However, less than 2% of the current demand is being met. Rapid innovation and investment are essential to close this gap and achieve universal energy access by 2030.
About the gold-winning project and the People’s Award
- Hydrogel is a solid, jelly-like substance that can absorb large quantities of water. When the hydrogel heats up, the water inside evaporates and escapes, leaving behind any contaminants. The evaporated water then condenses again as purified drinking water.
- The People’s Award winner is is determined by members of the public who are invited to vote for their favourite design.
About Efficiency for Access
- Efficiency for Access is a global coalition dedicated to advancing access to energy and affordable, energy efficient appliances in underserved communities.
- It is a catalyst for change, accelerating access to off- and weak-grid appliances to boost incomes, avoid carbon emissions, improve quality of life, and support sustainable development.
- The coalition is co-chaired by UK aid from the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform, and the IKEA Foundation.
https://efficiencyforaccess.org/
About Energy Saving Trust
- Energy Saving Trust is co-Secretariat of Efficiency for Access and manages the Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund, itself funded by UK aid from the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform, and the IKEA Foundation
- Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, low carbon transport and sustainable energy use. We aim to address the climate emergency and deliver the wider benefits of clean energy as the UK transitions to net zero.
- We empower households to make better choices, deliver transformative programmes for governments and support businesses with strategy, research and assurance – enabling everyone to play their part in building a sustainable future.
Transforming Energy Access
- This project was funded with UK aid from the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform. Transforming Energy Access (TEA) is a research and innovation platform supporting the technologies, business models and skills needed to enable an inclusive clean energy transition.
- TEA works via partnerships to support emerging clean energy generation technologies, productive appliances, smart networks, energy storage and more. It increases access to clean, modern energy services for people and enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, improving their lives, creating jobs and boosting green economic opportunities.
IKEA Foundation
- The IKEA Foundation is a strategic philanthropy that focuses its grant-making efforts on tackling the two biggest threats to children’s futures: poverty and climate change. It currently grants more than €200 million per year to help improve family incomes and quality of life while protecting the planet from climate change.
Engineers Without Borders UK
- Engineers Without Borders UK is working to reach the tipping point to ensure a safe and just future for all. Part of a global movement of over 60 Engineers Without Borders organisations, we inspire, upskill and drive change in the engineering community and together take action to put global responsibility at the heart of engineering.