Positive Impact Challenge Germany 2026

The POSITIVE Impact Challenge brings together social organizations, interdisciplinary student teams, and experienced Design Thinking Coaches to improve real digital products and services. 

Apply to take your Design Thinking experience to the next level .

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From 14–16 April 2026, the POSITIVE Impact Challenge brings together social organizations (“Seekers”), interdisciplinary student teams (“Solvers”), and experienced mentors to improve real digital products and services — fast, hands-on, and user-centered. The format follows a condensed Design Sprint approach: teams develop ideas, build prototypes, test with users, and pitch results to a jury.

Impact Week will support the 2026 edition and offer a unique opportunity for people with initial experience with Design Thinking and coaching/facilitation who want to deepen their practice in a live challenge environment.

This opportunity is especially suited for German speakers (the context and collaboration with local organizations is primarily German-language).

What to expect

We will first onboard our Coaches in a virtual workshop that consists of four online modules and one day onsite to give coaching tips and prepare the workshop. 

Afterwards, over three intensive days, teams work on concrete UX/UI and service challenges of social organizations that already have a digital product or interface. You’ll experience a structured sprint flow including:

  • Challenge briefing & team set-up

  • UX problem exploration and idea generation

  • Rapid prototyping (e.g., wireframes/mockups)

  • User tests with real end users

  • Final pitch and presentation of solutions

This defines the “practical phase” and will give our Coaches a unique opportunity to gain additional coaching experience, improve their coaching style and coordinate between innovators and stakeholders while being guided by experienced Senior Coaches along the journey. Impact Week mentors help ensure strong facilitation, a user-centered mindset, and a high-energy “challenge spirit” throughout the process.
Key facts
Dates

Preparation in online format: from March 15 
time onsite: April 13 – 16

Location

Freiburg, Germany

Local Partner

Hochschule Offenburg and Social Innovation Lab Freiburg

Learn more
Wanna Join?

Join us to make your Impact!

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What are the benefits of joining the positive Impact Challenge?

  • Put your DT and coaching skills into practice in a real, time-boxed innovation challenge

  • Work with mission-driven social organizations and support meaningful digital improvement

  • Build your facilitation portfolio with an intensive sprint format

  • Connect with a strong local social innovation ecosystem in Freiburg

  • Additional learnings during the virtual training plus one additional day onsite with focus on coaching skills and teambuilding.

Timeline

 

01 February Registration opens for participation
01 March Registration closes
Week of 15 March Virtual kick-off meeting for all participants
tbd Train-the-Coach Part 1: 4 online modules
13 April Train-the-Coach Part 2: Onboarding and Coaching Training
14 – 16 April Positive Impact Challenge – 3 days Design Thinking Challenge

 

 

Our Pricing
For Junior Coach applicants from corporate partners

Contributer Rate

Applicants from large international companies with more than € 50 million revenue or more than 250 employees. The rate is 2.495 € for the training fee. Accommodation and transport to the venue are in the responsibility of the participant.

For self-paying individuals

Go-Getter Pass

Applicants that pay for the training themselves and are not sponsored by their company. The rate is 1.495 € for the training fee. Accommodation and transport to the venue are in the responsibility of the participant.

For Junior Coach applicants from NGOs

Impact Scholarship

Applicants who are part-time of full-time employees of a non-profit or academic institution qualify for the Local Impact Scholarship, which means that the training is free of charge. Accommodation and transport to the venue are in the responsibility of the participant. 

Who are our partners?

The POSITIVE Impact Challenge in Freiburg is organized as part of the EU-funded Horizon Europe POSITIVE project and is a joint initiative involving Grünhof e.V. / Social Innovation Lab Freiburg and is carried out in cooperation with Hochschule Offenburg.

Funding / support by Deutsche Postcode Lotterie and EU co-funding.

We are truly grateful for the collaboration and look forward to creating impact together!