What if FabLabs could design solutions that help deal with crisis situations? That’s the goal of the ImagineMakers Challenge. This year, the Orange Foundation has recognized three remarkable projects, devised and created by dedicated makers in France and Côte d'Ivoire.
Innovating together to cope with emergency situations
The 2026 ImagineMakers Challenge is part of the “Communs d’Urgence” project led by RFFLabs (French FabLabs Network), supported by Fondation de France in partnership with the French Red Cross.
The premise is simple: tapping into the creativity and resourcefulness demonstrated by makers to design tangible, useful solutions accessible to everyone in an emergency situation.
This project draws on the ability of FabLabs to become genuine spaces of community resilience, relying on the work carried out by young jobseekers. FabLabs can play a key role to help communities to prepare, support each other and take action together in a crisis situation.
The three winners in 2026
14 projects were shortlisted in January 2026. They were given €3,000 each to fine tune their prototypes. Three of these projects were singled out in the final stage, each receiving an additional award of €6,000.
🏆 I(NON)dation! – Cap Sciences (France)
Category: First aid and protection
Cap Sciences has designed a cofferdam – a flood barrier – that’s innovative, simple and quick to install during a crisis. A practical tool designed to protect local residents in the first few hours when waters start to rise.
🏆 Purisource filter bottle – Entreprendre pour Apprendre (France)
Category: Access to food and water
This filter cap was designed and manufactured in a FabLab. It is able to treat any source of water with no power supply needed. A cost-effective and reproducible solution that could be a game-changer for isolated communities during a disaster.
🏆 onHoff – Côte d'Ivoire Solidarity FabLab
Category: Crisis communication, community support and energy autonomy
The Côte d'Ivoire Solidarity FabLab has developed an offline communication device to share vital information without an internet connection. An ingenious response to critical situations when networks fail at a time when they are needed most.
Projects designed to last and be shared: a core commitment of our Foundation
What do these three prototypes have in common? They adhere to some essential common principles: to be reproducible, cost-effective, inclusive and adapted to genuine needs in local communities. The deliverables will be accessible to all, in an “open source” format (open and shared resources).
The Orange Foundation has supported the network of solidarity FabLabs for fifteen years. These practical spaces are much more than workshops: they are spaces to learn, cooperate and be empowered. The ImagineMakers Challenge is an excellent example: it demonstrates that when sharing the same objective, citizens, young jobseekers and makers can design useful, durable solutions that are accessible to as many people as possible.
