The Danish-Egyptian Dialogue Initiative (DEDI), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Egypt in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, is launching “Bilingual: Reimagining Furniture Design in Egypt & Denmark” in partnership with the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen and DESiGNDUSTRY and Pinocchio Furniture factory in Egypt.  

“Bilingual” invites young furniture designers and students to explore the intersection of Egypt’s rich furniture heritage and contemporary Danish design principles through a collaborative journey that reimagines the future of circular and sustainable furniture design. Bilingual bridges design and production, fostering innovation, knowledge exchange, and cross-cultural collaboration between emerging Egyptian and Danish designers, institutions, and industry actors. 

At the core of this activity is the concept of “bilingual design,” which is the ability to speak two design languages simultaneously. Egypt and Denmark come together in this activity because each represents a complementary design language: one rooted in craftsmanship, durability, and intelligent use of materials, and the other in modernist functionality, minimalism, and long-standing sustainable design practices. In this format, participants will create furniture that is rooted in Egyptian identity, culture, and tradition, while simultaneously expressing a contemporary design language that resonates with local and international market needs, sustainability standards, and evolving lifestyles. 

“Bilingual: Reimagining Furniture Design in Egypt & Denmark” builds on several iterations of cross-cultural design collaboration between Denmark and Egypt, bringing together emerging designers, academic institutions, and industry partners to co-create innovative design solutions.  

Under DEDI (2025-2028), Bilingual contributes to youth-driven sustainable design and innovation by equipping young designers with the skills, tools, networks, and international exposure needed to establish or further develop innovative and sustainable design practices and ventures. 

8 Egyptian furniture designers and students will be selected to participate in an immersive cross-cultural design journey that includes:  

1. A programme in Copenhagen, Denmark - September 2026:   

• Design for Circularity: A seminar at the Royal Danish Academy featuring presentations by leading designers and architects, and professionals working within the fields of sustainability and circularity. Core themes include planetary boundaries, carbon footprint assessment, certification systems, design for disassembly, take-back strategies, and repairability. 

2. A programme in Cairo and Damietta, Egypt - November 2026:  

• An international workshop in the Mediterranean city of Damietta, where skilled local craftsmen at Pinocchio factory will manufacture the designs developed by the participating designers.  
• A public exhibition in Cairo, where the results of the journey will be showcased, and designers will have the opportunity to receive feedback from professionals, experts, and the wider public. 

Selected participants will also have the opportunity to further expand their horizons and engage with the wider sustainability and innovation ecosystem in Denmark. This will include their participation at Open Innovation, which is Copenhagen’s flagship student innovation challenge, bringing together students, researchers, and sustainability experts to collaborate on real-world challenges. Through an intensive, hands-on innovation sprint, participants will work in interdisciplinary teams to develop creative and sustainable solutions, applying innovation tools and methodologies while engaging with industry partners and experts from the Danish innovation ecosystem. 

Assignment: 

Object Typology 

The assignment challenges participants to design a stool for contemporary living. The piece should draw inspiration and reinterpret ancient Egyptian furniture design principles, while expressing a forward-looking, innovative interpretation. 

The design must respond to the functional and spatial requirements of modern everyday use and explicitly address responsible production methods. The footprint of the piece must not exceed 45 × 45 cm. Furthermore, the stool must be collapsible, allowing it to be transported easily. Whether collapsibility is achieved through an integrated folding mechanism or through disassembly is left to the designer’s discretion. 

Key Features 

1. The design must address all stages of the design process, with particular emphasis on function, ergonomics, and production methods. The project should demonstrate a clear and well-developed design concept informed by ancient Egyptian culture and furniture traditions.  
2. The focus must remain on a strong and coherent conceptual idea, rather than on superficial decoration or ornamentation. Existing historical constructions should be analyzed critically, and the designer’s own interpretation should serve as the basis for developing new and innovative furniture objects. 
3. Designs should reflect a strong connection to local context while responding to global demands for low-carbon, modular, repairable, and resource-efficient products.  
4. Participants are encouraged to experiment with locally available, low-impact materials, and rethink how furniture can be designed for longevity, adaptability, and reuse. The goal is not only to create functional and aesthetic pieces, but to contribute to a more circular and responsible furniture ecosystem in Egypt and Denmark.   

Materials and Production Process 

Material selection must be undertaken with particular consideration given to the use of wood (beech, oak, and pine), as well as leather, textiles, plywood, and paper cord. Finishing treatments are restricted to raw sanded surfaces or oil finishes.  

Submission Deliverables 

The final submission consists of a two-page PDF presentation. The presentation must include a short written conceptual statement, an inspirational mood board, 3D models and renderings, scaled drawings, and detailed workshop drawings. The first page should communicate the overall concept or idea, while the second page should present the finalized design proposal. The material submitted will be used for presentation at the project exhibition in Cairo. 

Participants are expected to consider and reflect on: sustainability impact (materials, lifecycle, emissions reduction), user experience, local production ecosystem (craft, SMEs, manufacturing partners), market positioning and potential user segments, affordability and accessibility, and export potential and global relevance. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Team Requirement: Applicants must apply in teams of two and commit to collaborating closely throughout the entire activity journey. 
• Age: Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application. 
• Background and specialization: Applicants should come from relevant design disciplines, including (but not limited to) furniture design, product design, industrial design, interior design, architecture, or related fields. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged, particularly those combining complementary skills across design, craftsmanship, and material exploration. 
• Relevant Experience: Applicants should have prior experience in furniture design (academic, student, or professional projects). 
• Language Skills: Applicants must be fluent in English and able to actively collaborate and communicate in English with Danish participants. 
• Availability: Full availability is required to participate in all activities in both Denmark and Egypt. 
• Previous Participation: Applicants must not have participated in any previous iterations of Bilingual. 

Application form and deadline:  

To apply, please fill out this application form by the 15th of June 2026.  

About the Partners:  

The Danish-Egyptian Dialogue Initiative (DEDI) (2025-2028), implemented by UNDP Egypt in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, is a living lab for youth-driven innovation and the green transition, designed to address the challenges and opportunities of the future, and a cross-cultural space for dialogue on climate, peace and security between Denmark and Egypt. 

The Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation is the oldest architecture and art school in the world with a history tracing back to 1754. It is the leading academy in Scandinavia in the fields of architecture, design and conservation.  

DESiGNDUSTRY is Egypt's leading furniture industry platform, serves as a hub that connects furniture designers, producers, and retailers. Its primary objective is to foster the growth and development of furniture stakeholders within Egypt.