5 local Fab Labs and 5 international teams

The Fab Bhutan Challenge is a structured innovation competition that forms the backbone of the Fab 23 Bhutan.

Five problems in the local context of Bhutan will be identified and collaboratively addressed by 5 local Fab Labs and 5 international teams.

60 people is the upper limit for selection. Each of the 5 fablabs, therefore, will host 12 local and international challengers.

Once the established threshold of challengers is reached, the FAB23 Bhutan ticket will include all activities except the Challenge, that is, all activities that will take place from July 21 to 28.

There will be four areas of intervention in the challenge, and through them it will be possible to outline the course of the program.

The theme of the Fab Bhutan Challenge, as well as the overall theme of the event, is “designing resilient futures.”, an acknowledgement of the changes and transformation that Bhutan is currently undertaking.

The Challenge, following this theme, will bring together local and global innovation communities to propose meaningful interventions that enrich, scale and invest in Bhutan’s resilient economy from the bottom up following these four pillars:

Interspecies Peace Negotiations

Wildlife poses a significant threat to Bhutan's agriculture, causing an annual loss of approximately 30% of crop yields for farmers, impacting both individual incomes and community-wide food security. Previous solutions, like electric fencing and mesh wire, have proven ineffective or impractical. As farmers continue to struggle, the need for innovative and scalable measures to protect crops becomes crucial for sustaining Bhutan's economy and ensuring widespread food security.

Angela Barbour, Henk Buursen, Kenneth Cheung, Maria Isabel Reis Oschery, Quentin Bolsee, Rafael Calado, Rajesh Rai, Siddharth Kulkarni, Sonam Tshering, Tshering Pemo, Yeshi Tshomo, Ugyen Tshering

Sub-tropical monsoon VS sprouts

Farmers in Bhutan's sub-tropical region heavily depend on successful crop yields for their livelihoods. The monsoon season poses a unique challenge as heavy rainfall hinders crop growth, preventing farmers from harvesting vegetables. This disrupts the food security of farmers, forcing them to buy vegetables instead of growing their own. This paradoxical situation has broader implications for Bhutan's agriculture industry. Supporting these farmers in growing and earning can not only enhance their financial stability but also contribute to the country's overall food security.

Felix Klee, Haflidi Asgeirsson, Hema Devi Rimal, Jan Thar, Kezang Loday, Kunzang Cheki, Maik Jähne, Suhaib Kamal, Þóra Óskarsdóttir, Violet Su

Aesthetics of water

In Pangbisa, spotting the bottom of your cup in a glass of water is a rare sight despite efforts by The Royal Academy Construction Project. Despite installing water treatment plants, the community still faces persistent high water turbidity due to excessive sedimentation. This issue leads to hygiene problems, forcing locals to heavily rely on plastic bottled water. Support our mission to offer a sustainable solution to the water crisis in Pangbisa, helping the community enjoy a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing water source.

Deepti Sharma, Dupont de Dinechin Mathieu, Hideo (Haru) Oguri, Kencho Tshephel Dorji, Leen Nijim, Marleen Stikker, Murad Mousa Saadeh, Pema Dendup, Remy Emilien Ducros, Rozeani Pricila Ferreira de Araujo, Sobit Pradhan, Walter Gonzales Arnao

Aluminum waste, Gracefully braced!

In partnership with the Bhutan Foundation, the Ministry of Education supports twelve public schools designated as Special Education Needs (SEN) schools. Despite this designation, these schools currently lack inclusive infrastructure and assistive devices. Proposing an innovative solution, we aim to merge the upcycling of aluminum cans with the need for assistive devices to improve the lives of children with special needs. If successful, this approach could be replicated in other SEN schools, contributing to the creation of a more inclusive society.

Adriana Cabrerra, Antonio Gordillo Guerrero, Chhimi Wangmo, Dechen Gyelmo Dorji, Diwas Pradhan, Enrico Bassi, Evelyn Giraldo, Jorge Montalvo, José Alberto Blanco Lara, Leyla Yunis, Ondrej Kyjanek, Saad Chinoy, Suhas Labade

Weaving Technology into Tradition

Textiles embody artistic expression, cultural knowledge, and heritage. Amidst globalization, preserving these traditions is crucial. Embracing innovative technologies, especially in digital and bio fabrication, offers new avenues for reimagining textile processes. Join our collaborative effort with the Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck Super Fab Lab, Royal Textile Academy, and Fabricademy to revolutionize Bhutanese textiles by merging old traditions with new ideas.

Annie Ferlatte, Benjamin James Simpson, Carrie Leung, Dawa Zangpo, Emmanuel Gilloz, Hafey Viktoría Hallgrímsdóttir, Johnatan Prado-Lopez, Kuenga Tshomo, Maria Corte-Real Calado, Maxime Gravet, Nanditha Nair, Rinzin Dorji, Shannon Sykes, Tshering Dendup