The Prototyping Low Carbon Solutions calls for projects support student entrepreneurs in developing products, services or technologies at the prototyping stage that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In practice
In collaboration with student incubators in Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels, the Prototyping Low Carbon Solutions call for projects supports student entrepreneurs and recent graduates at the prototyping stage in developing a prototype of their product, service or technology with a positive societal impact, by providing:
- a prototyping grant of up to €5,000
- access to an extensive network of impact-focused organisations and individuals
- media visibility
- the opportunity to refine their projects based on constructive feedback from the jury
Why these calls for projects?
The Prototyping Low Carbon Solutions calls for projects are part of the Prototyping The Future programme. Launched in 2019 by the Foundation for Future Generations, the Prototyping The Future programme is supported by the Albert Vanhee Fund for Future Generations. Created in 2018 by Marguerite Vanhee in tribute to her father, Albert Vanhee, the Fund aims to help young project leaders take a decisive step: turning a promising idea into a concrete solution.
In 2025, the Prototyping The Future programme evolved with the launch of two calls for projects focused on low-carbon initiatives, with the support of the Albert Vanhee Fund for Future Generations and the Helios Foundation. These calls aim to help young project leaders turn their low-carbon solutions into reality and contribute to decarbonisation.
The support:
- Comes at a key stage in the young entrepreneur’s journey.
- Provides crucial leverage, helping project leaders move closer to bringing their product, service or technology to market.
Discover the two Prototyping Low Carbon Solutions calls for projects:
This call for projects is aimed at young student entrepreneurs enrolled at a Belgian higher education institution, or graduates who completed their studies no more than 2.5 years ago, and who are developing an innovation with an explicit positive impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The project must be supported by an incubator or a support organisation.
The stages
1. Launch of the calls for projects
Submission of applications.
2. Pre-selection by student incubators and/or professors
The Foundation works with professors and student incubators in Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels, who pre-select sustainable initiatives led by student entrepreneurs for which a grant could provide crucial leverage.
3. Selection of the winning projects
A jury of experts from a range of sectors reviews the submitted projects and selects the most promising initiatives. The selected projects receive financial support to develop their prototypes.
4. Prototyping The Future Programme Laureates’ Meeting
The Prototyping meeting is an event dedicated to celebrating and exchanging ideas, bringing together the young entrepreneur laureates, incubators, the grant selection committee, the Foundation for Future Generations team, as well as stakeholders from the student entrepreneurship ecosystem and public and private supporters.
5. Future Generations Summit
The Foundation’s laureates are showcased at the must-attend event for impact projects and start-ups, organised by the Foundation for Future Generations at the end of each year.
Previous edition
- Laureates of the previous edition
- Jury of the previous edition
- Prototyping the Future meeting
- Partners of the previous edition
Prototyping the Future – Support & Partners
