42 students are attending the Solar Decathlon 21/22 competition this year, in Wuppertal, Germany to present the EFdeN VATRA prototype, a new model of sustainable living that facilitates forming of communities, inspired by the Romanian “vatra”.

In order to represent Romania in the contest, EFdeN need our help! Part of the EFdeN members belong to the BISM Community and we’re rallying to support them – more on this below.

First of all, why do we care about Solar Decathlon?

It is an international competition, where thousands of students from across the world are inspired to enter the renewable energy domain since its launch in 2002. Today, the 10 contests that form the basis of Solar Decathlon challenge students to project and build performing buildings, with low carbon emissions, that limit climate changes and increase our quality of life. The innovations presented at Solar Decathlon are those that will help us all become more sustainable, combining architecture, engineering and innovation.

EFdeN have attended the competition twice before and have been named World Champions in 2018 in the Communication contest and Vice-World Champions in Engineering & Construction and Sustainability.

Now, only 2 weeks before the most prestigious contest of solar houses and integrated technologies, the team of students that represent Romania, EFdeN, doesn’t have enough funds to join it.

How can you help EFdeN represent Romania at Solar Decathlon?

1 km = 1 donation

The distance to Wuppertal is 2,000 km and each kilometer costs the EFdeN team 150 euro, which they are looking to fundraise.

You can support the team before 4 June by:

• Donating on efden.org/sustine 
• Direct in the account RO55RNCB0090137869960001 (RON) or RO28RNCB0090137869960002 (EUR). The accounts are open at BCR on the name: Asociația Solar Decatlon București.
• Like or Share, on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Whatsapp, by phone, email or word of mouth, helping them spread the news.

With the help from their partners, EFdeN has already fundraised over 70% of the total budget allocated to the project to build the EFdeN VATRA prototype and prepared the students for the competition. The less than 30% left is necessary for the transport of the house to Wuppertal, Germany, equipment logistics and the costs with accommodation, transport and lunches for the volunteers.

In total, the team will be away for 43 days, in which time students will go through:

• 15 days to assemble the house
• 7 days in which it will be monitored by referees
• 14 days in which the houses are open to the large audience, jurors and specialists, where over 200,000 visitors are expected
• 7 days to disassemble

If you want to discuss a sponsorship contract, please reach out to the EFdeN team on [email protected].

EFdeN is an educational NGO that helps students and young professionals find a direction in their careers, through a process of practical learning, that complements university learning. EFdeN is involved in everything related to sustainability in Romania, from legislation to policy development to education and city development.

In brief, it means:

10+ projects implemented by over 1,000 volunteers

50+ awards

Over 300 partner companies involved

Find out more on https://efden.org