The BA Better World Sustainability Challenge invites Enactus students to identify and present innovative solutions that place environmental sustainability at the core of their mission.
British Airways - Better World
This challenge is for new and current projects that are in the ideation stage.
BA Better World - At a Glance
An opportunity to compete for funding and support for an idea that demonstrates the potential to solve a specific environmental challenge.
What is it?
Who is it for?
Any UK or Irish university student who is not in their final year. Teams can consist of a maximum of 4 presenters (2 recommended).
Why take part?
Make a difference in your community, secure funding, mentoring and skill development.
When is the application deadline?
Application Deadline: 12 March
Key Dates
Application Deadline
12
March
Top 5 Announcement
16
March
Top 5 Virtual Support Call
18
March
BA Better World
Top 5 Virtual Final
25
March
I4I Overall Finalists Announcement
27
March
I4I Overall In-Person Final
@ NextGen Takeover
15
April
What will you do?
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All you need to answer:
What is the name of your project / idea?
How it address the challenge’s brief?
How would you use the funding to achieve impact through your project / idea?
That’s all, folks!
Application Deadline: 12th March
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If you are selected as a Top 5 Finalist for the challenge, congratulations! You’ll receive an email including all the links for the virtual pitches, and your achievement will be celebrated on our Instagram page (give us a follow if you haven’t already)!
Regardless of your application outcome, you will be contacted via email.
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Top 5 Finalists will attend the Virtual I4I Support Session on Wednesday 18th March, designed to elevate your pitches for when you present in front of industry partners and answer any questions you may have.
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Pitches will be conducted on a Microsoft Teams call, where all Top 5 teams, judges and coordinators from Enactus UK & Ireland will be present.
When it is your time to present, you will share your screen and present how your idea fulfils the Competition Brief and addresses the Key Judging Criteria. You are expected to talk during your presentation.
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You will have a maximum of 5 minutes to deliver your pitch. Your presentation does not need to fill the full 5-minutes. You will be cut off if you exceed the time limit.
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Each team has 3 minutes only to answer questions given by the judges on the call. Only judges may ask questions. Please note that any unused time remaining from the 5-minute presentation will not be added to Q&A time.
The winners from each Ideas4Impact Challenge will then go on to pitch in-person at the I4I Overall Final at the NextGen Takeover on 15th April.
“The BA Competition pushed us to refine our vision, challenge our thinking, and stay focused on creating real, measurable change. The entire experience was unforgettable.”
Challenge Brief
This challenge moves beyond simple awareness campaigns or small recycling or upcycling initiatives. We are seeking high-potential ideas that demonstrate the power to rethink how we interact with and impact the natural world. Whether your focus is on carbon reduction, biodiversity protection, or resource efficiency, your idea must clearly demonstrate the potential to solve a specific environmental challenge.
This challenge is open to non-final year university students at any UK or Irish university.
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Ranges from limited to advanced understanding of community or market needs.
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Shows an increasing grasp of relevant business concepts from basic to exceptional.
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Varies from lack of innovation to substantial innovative approaches and solutions.
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Assessed from limited potential to an excellent plan for scaling operations.
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Evaluated from minimal to significant potential for sustainable impact on social, environmental, and economic issues.
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Evaluated from pitch lacks clarity and coherence to compelling, persuasive and captures the audience.
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Moves from struggling to provide effective answers to providing insightful and comprehensive responses.
Teams will be assessed on a single, overarching question:
Which team most effectively presented a project idea with the greatest potential to mitigate climate change and/or drive positive environmental sustainability?
Key Judging Criteria
What’s in it for you?
This challenge is your chance to test bold new ideas, pitch and present your thinking, and learn by doing in a real-world setting.
Winning teams will receive grant funding to bring their idea to life, plus mentorship from British Airways experts and industry leaders who will challenge, support, and accelerate your journey. You’ll walk away with practical experience, confidence, and standout skills that employers genuinely value.
You don’t need “the perfect idea” - just the courage to start!
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The BA Better World Sustainability Challenge invites students to identify and present innovative solutions that place environmental sustainability at the core of their mission. We are specifically looking for projects in the ideation phase.
Teams will be assessed on a single, overarching question:
Which team most effectively presented a project idea with the greatest potential to mitigate climate change and/or drive positive environmental sustainability?
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This competition is open to non-final year university students at any UK or Irish university.
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To participate, fill out the short application form, where you'll share details about your project.
You can apply using the link HERE.Any issues? Contact sbrown@enactus.org
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Applications for Ideas4Impact must be submitted by Thursday 12th March.
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The 5 best ideas that apply for the competition will be invited to pitch at an exclusive virtual event - The Top 5 Virtual Final.
The Ba Better World Virtual Final will take place on Wednesday 25th March.
Each of the Top 5 will have 5 minutes to pitch, followed by a 3 minute Q&A from the judges.
The winner will go on to pitch in-person at the Ideas4Impact Overall Final on 15th of April.
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The Ideas4Impact Overall Final brings together the respective winners of each Idea4Impact Competition, for an in-person pitch at the ExCel Centre in London on 15th April, 2026.
Each of the Overall Finalists will have 5 minutes to pitch, followed by a 3 minute Q&A from the judges.
The winner of the Ideas4Impact Overall Final will be crowned later the same day as part of the celebrations at the NextGen Takeover event.
FAQs
Previous Winners
Ready for the challenge?
Submit your application by Thursday 12th March.
This challenge is for new and current projects that are in the ideation stage.