FORD C3 UK Competition 2025

Building Sustainable Communities through Innovation

Enactus is excited to partner with Ford Philanthropy for the Ford C3 Building Sustainable Communities Project Partnership 2025, Cycle 11. This global competition challenges Enactus teams across Australia, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, and the United Kingdom to design innovative, student-led projects that address critical community needs and contribute to making communities more sustainable

Competition Overview


The Ford C3 UK Competition invites UK Enactus Teams which lead entrepreneurial projects that tackle urgent social issues within their local communities. The overarching theme of the competition is “Building Sustainable Communities”. We encourage teams with new or existing projects that address one or more of the following areas:

• Smart Mobility: Changing the way people move and enhancing transportation systems.

• Social Mobility: Creating opportunities for people to move through social layers and achieve better economic outcomes.

• Sustainable Communities: Developing innovative ways to address community needs and build sustainable, resilient environments.

Key Focus Areas

We welcome projects in the following areas:

    • Develop affordable, clean, and safe transportation solutions for the 21st century.

    • Example ideas include rideshare apps, autonomous vehicles, and using data analytics to improve transportation services.

    • Create tools or initiatives that empower individuals or communities to improve their social and economic standing.

    • Potential solutions may include promoting youth participation in STEAM, supporting first-generation college students, urban gardening, or increasing access to housing and education.

    • Design programs or initiatives that help individuals acquire skills needed for the evolving global workforce.

    • Focus on education and job training for community members to thrive in the modern economy.

    • Redefine what safety means in modern communities, especially considering the influence of the internet and new technologies.

    • Address economic challenges and provide support for underserved communities through financial literacy, business development, or job training.

    • Create designs for urban spaces that are environmentally sustainable and resilient to future challenges.

How to apply

Submit your application by 12pm GMT on 7th March 2025.

Download the budget template for your application here: Ford C3_Budget Template_2025 Cycle 11.xlsx

This competition is open to UK teams with new or existing projects.

Prizes and Recognition

Winning teams will receive:

  • Grant Funding to help bring your project to life.

  • Mentorship from Ford experts and industry leaders.

  • An invitation to present your project at an exclusive Ford event.

Competition Criteria

Your project will be judged on:

  • Innovation: The creativity and originality of your approach to building sustainable communities.

  • Student Leadership: How effectively students are involved in leadership roles within the project.

  • Community Impact: The tangible impact your project will have on addressing an urgent, unmet community need.

  • Measurable Outcomes: How you plan to track and measure the success and impact of your project.

  • Entrepreneurial Action: How your project empowers others to improve their livelihoods through entrepreneurial efforts.

  • The competition is open to university students in the UK. Teams should include a leadership role for students.

  • A: Yes, you are welcome to submit multiple applications, but each project must meet the competition criteria.

  • A: No, a prototype is not mandatory, but it can strengthen your application.

FAQs