A tenth of Gen X (aged between 45 and 60) say they haven’t learnt anything new in the past year, in stark contrast to the 58% of Gen Z who learn something different every week.

Still, over a million Gen X wish to go back to school, showing they are not finished with their education just yet. 47% say this is because they want to learn about upcoming technologies such as AI, and 31% feel they have an idea they would love to bring to life.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a free, curriculum-linked programme that empowers 11–18-year-olds to design new solutions to help solve real-world problems using technology. With over a million adults aged 45–60 keen to return to the classroom, Samsung sent actor and presenter Larry Lamb back to school to explore how creativity and innovation can unlock new ways of thinking across generations.

In a new film, Larry’s perceptions of what young people get up to in school are flipped on their head. Lamb joined a group of students from Wembley High Technology College to brainstorm his own tech-for-good idea and discover how students use technology as a tool to make positive societal impact.

Speaking about his experience, Lamb said: “I’ll be honest, it caught me off guard how inspiring some of these young people are. I didn’t have access to competitions like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow when I was younger, and as I’m older, I find myself wishing initiatives like this were available to me. I started the day with a pretty clear idea of what I thought young people did in school, but that completely changed when I saw the incredible impact they’re capable of making, not just for the world today, but for our future too.

“Opportunities like this give young people more space to apply practical skills and make a change in the world. Whether it’s you, your kids, grandkids, or anyone else you know under 18, I’d urge you get them involved to help invent the future.”

This year’s competition focuses on three exciting themes: Smarter sport (tech that makes sport more fun, inclusive and high performing), Greener future (tech that protects our planet and supports sustainable living), and Safer online (tech that helps us stay connected, confident and in control). With tech prizes, work experience opportunities, and the chance to showcase student ideas on the iconic Piccadilly Circus big-screen, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a national competition designed to spark innovation in every classroom.

Commenting on the competition launch, Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung UK, said: “It was an extremely rewarding experience working with Larry for Solve for Tomorrow this year and seeing him interact and collaborate so our wonderful students at Wembley High. It was lovely to know that he came away from the experience with a much more informed opinion on what children today can learn in school and also how technology in young people’s hands can be a force-for-good when shaping the future with innovation.

“Our previous research shows that 85%** of young people believe a career in technology would allow them to contribute positively to society and we believe very young person deserves to feel like this. To recognize the need to support our next generation of innovators from a younger age, Solve for Tomorrow this year will be focusing on supporting school-aged children and young people, offering opportunities to access skills workshops, mentoring from Samsung and winning tech prizes and work experience opportunities.”

Applications are now open for young people aged 11–18 across the UK and Ireland to take part in the competition. Visit samsung.com/uk/solvefortomorrow to find out how schools can get involved and access free educational resources.

LONDON – October 10, 2025 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced today the 10 finalists of its inaugural European Samsung Solve for Tomorrow[1] Competition, which will take place in Milan, Italy, in late October.

The finalist ideas were selected by a panel of judges who evaluated candidates based on creativity (Idea), quality (Implementation) and impact (Scalability) — across different categories. These included Sustainability, Health, and “Social Change through Sport & Technology”.  This last one is one of this year’s Global Themes after being voted on by the public in the Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People community. The newly launched theme reflects a shared commitment to inspire young people to become changemakers by combining the unifying power of sport with cutting-edge innovation.

“The quality and innovation demonstrated by the entries from across Europe in our Solve For Tomorrow 2025 program was stunning,” said Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer of Samsung Electronics Europe. “The 10 finalists should be very proud of this achievement, and we are looking forward to welcoming them to Milan”.

The 5 winner teams of the competition will have the opportunity to travel to Samsung’s HQ in Korea in 2026 for a guided visit that will hopefully inspire their innovative minds.

The 10 finalist ideas and their representatives[2] are:

The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow program is active in 20 countries[3] across Europe, with each nation selecting their best ideas to solve community-level issues with technology.

Visit these websites for more information on Solve for Tomorrow: 

https://csr.samsung.com/en/program/samsung-solve-for-tomorrow

https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-solve-for-tomorrow-introduces-global-themes-to-unite-student-innovators-worldwide

https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-solve-for-tomorrow-meets-the-olympic-spirit-dreaming-of-a-new-future-through-technology-and-sport-with-the-ioc

https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/together-for-tomorrow-enabling-people-ioc-and-samsung-launch-new-digital-community-to-engage-young-olympic-fans-and-drive-positive-change

Samsung CSR

[1] Samsung Solve for Tomorrow was launched in 2010 and is a global problem-solving platform where youth around the world use STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills to solve real-world issues in their communities to build a better future together. Over the past 15 years, almost 2.8 million students in over 68 countries have participated in the program. Launched in the United States in 2010, it began its European expansion in 2019, initially launching in Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. As of 2025, the program is now active in a total of 20 European countries, with approximately 38,000 participants in 2024.

[2] For those teams comprised of more than 2 people, they will be represented by the finalists featured in this press release.

[3] Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Switzerland, The Netherlands, U.K.

LONDON, U.K. – May 06, 2025 – Samsung Electronics UK announced the final 10 teams shortlisted for their annual tech for good competition, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. Now in its fifth year, the initiative is designed to empower young people, regardless of their background, by encouraging them to submit tech-for-good solutions that benefit society by addressing real-world issues.

Solve for Tomorrow is free to enter, and open to all young people aged 16-25 across the UK and Ireland. 508 applicants submitted ideas to this year’s competition before the deadline on 12th January, and 49 teams were then shortlisted to take part in expert-led workshops and Samsung mentoring. For the first time this year, all 100 young people shortlisted also received a Samsung Galaxy Tab to support them through their workshops.

Participants took part in five weeks of design thinking, market research & prototyping workshops alongside 1-2-1 Samsung mentorship, to help develop their design concepts ready for re-submission in April.

Commenting on her experience as a Samsung Mentor, Jessica Diniz, Senior Manager at Samsung Design Europe, said: “It’s so inspiring to work with young entrepreneurs and creatives, whose ideas will fuel technological possibilities for a more equitable world in the next era of AI. Their highly progressive ideas and high-quality design output bring fresh perspectives on the power of STEM, Innovation and Design to pioneer positive change.”

To decide which teams would make it through to the final stages of the competition, our panel of Samsung and industry experts closely reviewed participants’ submissions, whittling down the shortlist to just 10 final teams across both age categories (16-18 and 18-25).

Charlotte Heard, Managing Director at Mettle Studios, was part of the judging panel for this year’s 18-25 category and commented on our finalists:“It was such a joy to be immersed in the ideas that felt truly innovative and aimed to solve some of society’s biggest challenges. I can’t wait to see what the winning candidates go on to achieve – we’re so lucky to have a platform like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow to support the change makers of the future.”

The final 10 have now made it through to the ultimate phase of the competition, where they will pitch their idea to another panel of Samsung & industry experts, to be in with the chance of winning a £10,000 cash prize, Samsung tech and further mentoring to help them make their idea a reality.

The winners and runners up for each age category (16-18 and 18-25) will be announced following the awards ceremony in July.

To find out more about our Solve for Tomorrow Competition, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/uk/solvefortomorrow/

Over seven in ten (72%[2]) young people surveyed feel more worried about the rising cost of living today than they did a year ago, fuelled by worries about the potential impact on their parents’ financial situation (77%[3]). Almost a third (32%) also expressed concerns about how they will get a job when they are older to support themselves, with fears that they do not have the necessary skills to cope in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world (23%).

Samsung commissioned the new research as it launches its Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen tech for good idea challenge, which encourages the next generation of innovators across the UK to help solve societal problems. This year’s theme, Living Well: Tech for a Happier, Healthier World, is designed to help young people solve problems they care about. Over four in five (81%[4]) express a desire to make a positive difference to the world we live in, yet the research reveals that less than half (49%[4]) feel the current, school curriculum prepares them to tackle societal issues.

Alongside the rising cost of living, online safety was also revealed to be another major source of concern among young people. Of those surveyed, 47% worry about the potential harms and dangers while using the internet, while more than half (58%[3]) reported feeling more concerned about online safety than they did a year ago today.

Young people are more determined than ever to meet these challenges head-on. In last year’s Solve for Tomorrow challenge, Millie from William Farr School was awarded first place in the 11-13 category for her innovation ‘My Bear’, which encourages children and young people to tackle hate by learning about other cultures. By linking the bear to an app, the user is rewarded with points. Meanwhile, Lorelei, Ruby, and Riya from Croydon High School, were awarded first place in the 13-15 category for their entry – a covert safety bangle designed to support girls and women whilst travelling alone. This year, young people from up and down the country will take part to create their own tech solutions to societal problems and have the chance to win some fantastic tech prizes.

Commenting on the competition launch, Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK, said: “We’re calling out to secondary schools across the UK and Ireland to join our tech for good idea challenge. Since launching in 2021, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen has reached 180,093 young people, and we’ve seen 2064 tech-for-good ideas – the programme is all about inspiring the next generation of innovators, and we can’t wait to see what young people come up with this year. Along with entering the challenge, we welcome teachers to make use of our free resources all year round on design thinking, careers in tech, and new for this year and part of our educational online safety tools and resources; how to use AI responsibly.”

In support of the Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen programme, Dr. Vee Kativhu, Founder & Director of Empowered by Vee, added: “As someone who grew up in a single-parent, lower-income household, I know first-hand how life-changing having access to technology and education can be. It was free resources, a library laptop, and opportunities like this that opened the doors for me to go on to study at both Oxford and Harvard University. Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen competition gives young people that same chance — to turn their ideas, creativity, and passion into real solutions that make the world happier, healthier, and safer. I’m proud to support a challenge that believes in the power of young people and invests in their future.”

Entries for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen tech for good challenge are now open until 25^th July 2025 with more information on how to enter here.

[1] Combining answer options “Very anxious” and “Fairly anxious”.

[2] Combining answer options “Much more concerned” and “Somewhat more concerned”.

[3] Combining answer options “Very concerned” and “Somewhat concerned”.

[4] Combining answer options “Very well” and “Fairly well”.

LONDON, UK – 07 March, 2025 – Samsung Electronics UK, in celebration of National Careers Week, welcomed secondary schools nationwide to join a free live virtual classroom event to spark curiosity about diverse future-focused careers in tech.

Streamed live from Samsung KX, the careers lesson showcased cutting-edge technology and gave secondary school students the chance to hear from Samsung employees about their career journeys. Hosted by Samsung’s young emerging talent, schools were taken on a whistle-stop tour of Samsung KX, and were able to interact through live polls and a Q&A session with Samsung experts.

Jessie Soohyun Park, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Samsung UK, said: “It was great to welcome hundreds of young people to our live virtual classroom event. Schools from across the UK heard first-hand from our employees about their career journeys in tech, and we hope they left the session feeling inspired. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen is all about inspiring the next generation of innovators, and the 2025 programme is only just beginning. We welcome secondary schools across the UK  to sign up for the free resources and join the challenge – our theme for this year is Living Well: Tech for a Happier, Healthier World, and we can’t wait to see the tech for good ideas from young people.”

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen programme is designed for 11-15 year olds to inspire the next generation of innovators. Reaching over a third of secondary schools across the UK and Ireland, the programme offers interactive video lessons, design thinking, online safety and careers resources for teachers to use with their students, and a fun challenge where students and their schools can win fantastic tech prizes. Schools can register for the free programme here.

For more information on Samsung KX visit: Discover New Samsung King’s Cross Space | Samsung UK

Q) Thanks for joining us today, Deborah, can you tell us why Safer Internet Day is such an important day to mark for Samsung, and what it means to you personally?

Days like Safer Internet Day are really crucial to help give all parents and guardians a platform to continue to talk openly about helping our children stay safe online and also share their experiences in how to achieve this. This is an ongoing area of focus for us, but marked days are vital for growing awareness on important topics. As a parent with a young son, my priority is his safety, both off and online. As he gets older and learns how to navigate the online world, it’s important that I can help equip him to be confident, secure and knowledgeable when accessing new technologies.

Q) What is Samsung’s role, as a device manufacturer, in helping combat the growing issue of keeping young people safe online?

We have a shared responsibility with all invested stakeholders to help combat this problem. We are now in our eighth year of supporting Safer Internet Day and have partnered with Internet Matters since 2019, creating vital resources to help parents and children. We need to keep these relationships strong and work together on projects that shine a light on online safety. This won’t be solved by any one organisation or campaign alone. We must collaborate to help inspire and enable parents and guardians to keep having the most important of conversations with their children, especially as we see how prevalent social media is in today’s society.

We want all families who use our devices and services to be able to understand the tools and resources available to them, helping them to set positive boundaries and measures they feel can be effective. We often say that our kids appear more tech-savvy than we are, but learning together can really help everyone in the family dynamic to understand the importance and dangers of online safety.

Q) Internet Matters does a huge amount of work on this issue, how important is this partnership to Samsung?

It really is critical to work alongside incredible organisations like Internet Matters and try to tackle the online safety issue collaboratively. For example, in 2023, we launched the ‘Online Together Project’ with Internet Matters, where we designed a teaching module tool to educate on key topics such as online hate, giving families practical advice and encouraging more open conversations between parents and children. We are proud of the resources created and we wanted to highlight that this type of conversation should always be a two-way, open dialogue.

I certainly want my son to be able to have those conversations with me and share his views so we can set boundaries together, talk about safety and security openly, and develop a better way forward that builds trust and honesty as he gets older and inevitably has more access to the online world.

Our work with Internet Matters has been critical to enhancing our own understanding of how we should not only collectively work together but also how we face into this issue as a manufacturer that has a responsibility to ensure its product features reflect the needs of parents and guardians. When they take that first step of introducing their children to new technology and the internet, we hope to enable them to do so armed with as much knowledge and expertise as we can provide. We design our products with safety and security as a critical priority and we take pride in that.

Q) What plans do Samsung have to mark Safer Internet Day this year?

I think it’s important to say that we have made a huge amount of progress already – from a device manufacturer perspective, we want to listen to our customers on this issue and address their concerns. You will all be aware over the last year that there has been an increased focus on this issue from key stakeholders – the Government, media and online safety parent campaigners – to champion the need to do more and push more on this issue, and we have taken part in many constructive debates and discussions.

We’re doing this by using our communication channels to help raise awareness on the parental controls and safety settings available across Samsung’s products. We are also providing free online safety resources for teachers to use in schools through our Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen programme. Next Gen this year is aimed at 11-15 year olds, focusing on AI for secondary school teachers to help students explore the benefits and challenges of AI and better understand how to use AI responsibly.

This year, we are also raising awareness of Safer Internet Day and the existing Samsung tools & resources available to our customers through our brand and marketing channels, in-store and on the large format Piccadilly Lights digital screen in London. We encourage people to check out our latest online safety guides and videos available on Samsung.com that will address the need for better and more simpler education for parents, guardians and young children.

We are also inviting people to register for our ‘Let’s Talk Online Safety’ Panel discussion event on the 18^th March, hosted at Samsung KX, to continue the momentum and conversation beyond tomorrow. One of our brilliant ambassadors, Fearne Cotton, will be holding a panel discussion where we will be exploring the challenges that we know young people face online and the role we can all play in supporting them.

Q) Finally Deborah, what is your message to our customers about our future ambitions to help tackle this issue?

I think we have to understand that the work should never be done. We know that this is a critical moment in time where this issue has never been more important in the eyes of so many people. We are open to working with the Government, our partners and stakeholders, through our role within our Tech UK industry body, on initiatives that will really engage customers and have the reach and impact that creates meaningful conversations.

We champion and encourage these conversations all year-round through our interactions with our customers, but also crucially through our educational initiatives, encouraging early conversations about responsible use of technology. It really is a long-term journey that we’re committed to, but there is still a lot work ahead of us, to help tackle online safety successfully.

To attend our ‘Let’s Talk Online Safety’ Panel Event at Samsung KX, on Tuesday 18^th March at 5.30pm, please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-talk-online-safety-hosted-by-fearne-cotton-tickets-1234746994499?aff=oddtdtcreator

To learn more about Safer Internet Day, please go to: https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2025

LONDON, UK – 16 December, 2024: Samsung Electronics Co. (UK) Ltd has called for the way Design and Technology is taught in schools to be refreshed. Without this change, there is a fear the UK’s pipeline of diverse talent with the skills for future inventions is at risk.

In a letter to the Government, supported by both The Design Council and The Design and Technology Association, the technology company highlighted the risk of Design and Technology becoming non-existent in the next decade. To enable a new generation of young innovators, there is willingness from Samsung to provide support and expertise to future conversations on curriculum changes to how D&T is taught to young people.

New research out today, commissioned by Samsung found less than half* (44%) of 13-19 year olds that the current D&T curriculum prepares them for the future of technology. Meanwhile, almost a quarter (23%) believe that Design and Technology lessons haven’t given them sufficient skills to make a change in the world using technology.

A report by The Design Council and The Design and Technology Association also revealed that a fifth (20%) of schools in England and Wales do not teach Design and Technology at all. The number of pupils taking the subject at GCSE level has also fallen by 68% in the last decade, leading to Samsung partnering with The Design Council and Design and Technology Association to urge for this necessary education review.

The impact of this is fewer young people being able to solve societal issues, including those centred around the environment, due to them not being equipped with the necessary skills.

In the letter, Samsung, alongside The Design Council and The Design and Technology Association, calls upon the Government to consider five key elements of change:

• Evolve D&T lessons to have design thinking and innovation at the forefront through practical projects – Samsung’s research showing that 71% of young people would like to be offered a course in school to develop their own inventions
• Future-proofing the Curriculum by ensuring latest technologies such as AI are being formally integrated into the Curriculum, in the context of real-world technology applications
• Ensure young people’s voices are heard and reflected in understanding their current challenges and in any future decision-making process
• Training more teachers in Design & Technology to enable young people in all schools to access quality D&T education and access to tools / resources
• Adopt a more holistic approach to teaching technology and digital skills in schools by connecting the Design & Technology curriculum with Computing Education

To help aid a curriculum refresh, Samsung has also invited Government ministers and stakeholders to its youth forum, a forum led by the thoughts of young people currently in, or who have recently left, the education system – supported by The Design Council and The Design and Technology Association. The forum allows young people to share their experiences, ambitions and discuss how the education system can help them achieve their goals. This follows it responding to the Government’s call for evidence as part of the Curriculum Review.

These young voices are currently being discovered and amplified through Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow programme. The competition, which is now in its fifth year, invites 16–25-year-olds to come up with tech solutions that help solve societal challenges. Winners of the competition are supported by Samsung in bringing their ideas to life through free educational workshops, mentoring, funding and support – with one of the key points of entry being Design and Technology classes in schools.

Young people across the country can visit the Solve for Tomorrow website for more information, and enter here until Sunday 12th January 2025. The full letter is also available to read on our website.

Speaking about the letter, Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK, said: “We are fortunate enough to speak to young innovators every day as part of the Solve for Tomorrow programme and we know they have a huge appetite for innovation right across the country, yet still experience barriers to realise this. We believe a refresh of the Design and Technology curriculum will help equip young people with the fundamental skills they need for the future, with a bigger emphasis on key skills such as design thinking.

They’re currently looking to use tech to change the world for good, and we need to foster that, both in our Solve for Tomorrow programme and outside of it. Hopefully, the Government working with us to make this change can be a key driver to help unlock the potential of a more diverse next generation of innovators.” 

Rachel Moriarty, Director of Skills at the Design Council, also stated: “We must inspire and equip the next generation of designers if we are to solve societal issues in the future. Particularly around environmental issues, design is a core green skill. This includes both ‘frontline’ design skills of using and re-using natural resources more efficiently, but also ‘hearts and minds’ design skills such as making regenerative lifestyles the more attractive option. The Design Council has launched an ambitious mission to upskill 1 million designers in green design skills by 2030, and this mission starts in schools. We welcome a comprehensive review of the D&T curriculum to ensure that we have the crucial skills that will drive our economy and protect our planet for the future.”

Tony Ryan, Chief Executive of the Design and Technology Association, further commented:

“Design and technology focuses on problem-solving, innovation and creativity to provide thoughtfully designed products, systems, and services to suit an increasingly complex world. Our subject seeks to produce well-informed and eternally curious young people who will learn how they can leave the earth in a more positive place than they found it. It’s vital that if we’re going to solve issues in the future, we’re giving our young people the tools to do it today”.

Methodology
*Consumer research was commissioned to 1,000 UK teenagers aged 13-19 between the 4th and 10th October 2024 by OnePoll. Onepoll are members of ESOMAR and comply with the ESOMAR guidelines for online research.

Patent information was obtained via the Intellectual Property Office

About the Design Council

The Design Council is the UK’s national strategic advisor for design, championing design and its ability to make life better for all. It is an independent and not for profit organisation incorporated by Royal Charter. The Design Council uniquely works across all design sectors and delivers programmes with business, government, public bodies and the third sector. Their work encompasses thought leadership, tools and resources, showcasing excellence, and research to evidence the value of design and influence policy. Their Design for Planet mission was introduced in 2021 to galvanise and support the 1.97 million people who work in the UK’s design economy to help achieve net zero and beyond. In September 2025 the Design Council will host the prestigious World Design Congress as a catalytic moment in driving the sector towards designing for planet.

About the Design and Technology Association

The Design and Technology Association is dedicated to supporting, developing, and promoting high-quality design and technology education as a core element of a well-rounded education for all young people. We bridge the gap between schools, students, and the worlds of business, design, manufacturing, and industry, while advocating with the Government and key decision-makers to ensure the subject’s value is fully recognised and supported.

As the UK’s leading authority on design and technology, the Association is committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of ability, gender, socioeconomic background or disability, have access to high-quality D&T education as part of a broad, creative curriculum up to the age of 18.

For more information, please visit www.designtechnology.org.uk or contact us at info@designtechnology.org.uk.

Between September and December last year, nearly 600 young people submitted their Solve for Tomorrow ideas in teams or as individuals, to be in with a chance of winning a £10,000 cash prize and additional Samsung tech, alongside three months of expert mentoring and support to help bring their idea to life. Applicants were then tasked to ensure their ideas utilised technology to make a meaningful difference in one of four competition themes: Education, Sustainability, Equity Diversity & Inclusion and Health & Wellbeing.

In January, our panel of judges whittled down the applications to a shortlist of 24. These semi-finalists then took part in a second phase of the competition: six weeks of design thinking, market research & prototyping workshops alongside 1-2-1 Samsung mentorship, to help develop their design concepts ready for re-submission in March.

Commenting on the shortlist announcement and standard of entries this year, Jessie Soohyun Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK, said:

“It’s been incredible to see the standard of this year’s semi-finalists and their exceptional dedication to the programme to bring their ideas to life over the last six weeks. When we met the teams at our prototyping workshop in March, we were blown away by their creativity and ambition, and hope that even those who didn’t make it through to the final stage of the competition left with valuable knowledge and connections. I’m excited to see how our final ten teams continue to progress over the next three weeks, and we’re committed to doing all we can to equip our participants with the expertise and resources they need to take their ideas to the next level, for the Solve for Tomorrow final and beyond.”

From these developed applications, ten finalists have now been selected to embark on the final stage of the programme, where they will receive a further three weeks of industry expertise around pitching and funding to prepare them for their final in-person pitch on 19^th June at Samsung KX.

Andy Davis, Founding Partner of 10×10 Capital, who judged phase two applications for this year’s 18-25 category competition, also commented on the finalists:

“I wish Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow existed when I was starting my entrepreneurial journey. It’s everything a young person needs to affect change and that’s reflected not only in the bold, captivating ideas but also the quality of their pitches. Our final ten teams all possess qualities that we see in the very best entrepreneurs globally.  During judging, I stopped several times as I couldn’t believe that this many 18-25-year-olds are working at such a high level. Congratulations to all of the teams, whose impact in the future will leave us all telling stories of how we once knew them”.

The winners and runners up for each age category (16-18 and 18-25) will be announced following the awards ceremony in July.

To find out more about our Solve for Tomorrow Competition, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/uk/solvefortomorrow/

As Samsung has prospered, so have the local communities that work alongside us. In Europe we have over 44 offices and facilities, with over 11,000 employees across the region. And with Samsung’s size and scale, we are proud to be able to make a positive impact in a wide variety of communities. Working towards the betterment of society and seeing the positive impact we have made in these communities is our greatest achievement to this day.

To promote positive change, our greatest ambition is to help the next generation achieve their full potential. Young people today are capable and passionate about spearheading positive societal change. We believe that by supporting them in this effort today, we pave the way to a better tomorrow.

That is why we established programs to educate and enable our youth, providing them with the means and opportunities to build a brighter future for all. The programs in place in Europe are truly inspiring, and while there are many incredible stories to share, here are a few of the initiatives that have made a big impact on thousands of lives.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

Solve for Tomorrow encourages young people to design the future and solve some of their communities’ biggest challenges using science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It takes the form of a contest, with the best ideas going on to win funding and business industry mentorship to develop concepts. Since its inception in 2010, Solve for Tomorrow has expanded to 55 countries worldwide, with a significant presence in 20 European countries. The program has been recognized by various educational awards and festivals for its innovative and effective approach.

Key topics for future-changing projects include education, sustainability, health and well-being, plus equality, diversity and inclusion. Participants benefit from multiple stages of training in which they learn to define problems, refine ideas, realize concepts and present projects. Along the way they are given mentorship by Samsung employees, ensuring they are best placed to take their creations into the real world.

In Hungary, the latest round of the program led to diverse projects including upcycling packages and supporting educational needs. Poland saw a focus on bridging intergenerational divides, with an app and magazine that introduces seniors to new technologies. The UK, which saw record numbers of applicants this year, has a strong focus on driving social mobility and inclusivity. Meanwhile in Austria, projects underscored the importance of unity and understanding, with one prize going to an app that fosters inter-religious harmony.

Elsewhere, mental health emerged as a key theme. In Italy, the program culminated in a podcast platform, empowering the youth to share stories and support each other. In Switzerland, the top ideas were ‘feel-good rooms’ for mental reprieve in schools, as well as an app for emotional self-awareness. Similarly, the Baltics program is currently seeking ways to address well-being concerns for students, with efforts to reimagine the school environment in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Samsung Innovation Campus

While Solve for Tomorrow focuses on STEM education, Samsung Innovation Campus mostly emphasizes ICT. It provides education to young people who are looking for jobs in the ever-evolving world of technology. The program trains participants in core competencies such as AI, IoT, Big Data, Coding and Programming, as well as soft skills such as problem-solving, communication and teamwork.

The program also aims to provide unemployed and underprivileged youth with access to education and career opportunities, so they can develop their talents and skills. Partnering with universities and other educational institutions, Samsung Innovation Campus offers online and offline courses, workshops, mentoring and resources to help participants learn and apply ICT technologies. To date, this initiative has expanded its reach to 32 countries worldwide, including Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Greece — successfully impacting 120 thousand talented participants.

In Italy, the initiative has worked with more than 20 Italian universities and trained more than 10,000 students so far. For the most recent edition, the topic is Human Tech: technological development where humans remain at the center and where digital innovation is used to improve lives, not replace genius or creativity. This training helps students acquire the skills they will need for the age of AI and IoT.

In Spain, which has seen 23 editions of Samsung Innovation Campus in three years, Samsung runs a parallel program: Samsung DesArrolladoras, the Samsung Innovation Campus Women for STEM program. This aims to boost the talent of Spanish women in STEM professions, with the aim of reducing gender pay gaps. Samsung DesArrolladoras was launched in 2018 and has since trained over 5,000 women, with around 64% of participants having found a job. The program was awarded at the Digital Skills Spain Awards 2020, winning in the category of Digital Skills for Women and Girls.

Building a better world, one community at a time

 Over 54 years, Samsung has not only witnessed immense growth in technology, but also in the communities in which we operate. As we reflect on our journey, we are unwavering in our commitment to empower young people all over the world to create a brighter future, so that we can improve lives and positively impact the world. With each initiative, we take a step closer to our vision – a world where responsible and inclusive technology will help build a better and more prosperous society.

Solve for Tomorrow’s most successful year in Hungary

Championing health and well-being in Italy

Exploring how technology can help tackle some of society’s biggest issues in the UK

Connecting young people to the labour market in Poland

With 51,000 unfilled jobs in IT in the UK in 2023^[1], and entry level tech jobs promising enticing salaries, the research presents a concerning picture about the impact social mobility is having on young people stepping into the technology industry – a sector that is currently valued at $1 trillion in the UK^[2]. And, at a time when the UK is betting big on the country becoming an international tech hub in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), more needs to be done to level the playing field.

Over one third (35%) of young people said they have been held back from applying for a job due to a lack of Wi-Fi access, with almost a quarter (24%) saying a lack of data has been a barrier to accessing employment or educational opportunities. And as technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, and Virtual Reality gain momentum, access to the Internet will become more critical as young people learn the skills necessary to fulfil the requirements of future jobs.

The research study of 1,000 young people aged between 16 and 25 was commissioned by Samsung UK to mark the re-launch of its Solve for Tomorrow initiative for 2023/24 – a programme designed to spur young people to unleash their inner potential by coming up with ways technology can solve society’s issues in four key areas: Sustainability, Education, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Health & Wellbeing.

In addition to this exclusive study, a poll of 500 young people aged between 13 and 18 years was conducted by UK social enterprise Startup Sherpas, who provided direct access to the views of this younger age group.

Commenting on the research, James Kitto, Vice President and Head of MX Division, Samsung UK & Ireland said: “The next generation are going to be tomorrow’s problem-solvers; the thinkers that will come up with the ideas and innovations that will address some of the world’s biggest challenges. But to be successful in this mission, they will need to be armed with the skills, contacts, and knowledge to unleash their full problem-solving potential. I am passionate about helping young people succeed, and programmes like Solve for Tomorrow play their part in galvanising all of our young people, not just those who have opportunity, to feel empowered to shape the future they will come to own.”

This empowerment often starts at home, but this isn’t the case for all young people, especially those who have limited role models around them. One fifth (20%) of young people wouldn’t apply for a job if they knew nobody who worked in that career and dated perceptions about ‘traditional’ careers paying the best for entry level jobs are rife – screening out diverse talent from booming sectors like technology before they enter the job market.

The following jobs were ranked in order of perceived entry-level earning potential – with no technology-driven careers featuring in the top 5:

1. Politician (52%)
2. Accountant (50%)
3. Lawyer (49%)
4. Pharmacist (49%)
5. Construction Worker (48%)

Freedom to innovate

When asked if they believed they could contribute to ideas that might make a technological difference to the world, nearly half (47%) said they believe they can innovate or contribute ideas if they had the right support; and 76% believe there is untapped potential in young people which would benefit the tech industry, showing despite the challenges, there is optimism amongst the nation’s youth.

Solve for Tomorrow launches in partnership with InnovateHer, a values-led social enterprise specialising in education and coaching, with a vision is to make the tech sector more equitable by increasing diversity across the spectrum and creating more inclusive workplaces.

Commenting on the partnership, Lauren Forbes, Head of Fundraising & Partnerships, InnovateHer said: “At InnovateHer, we are beyond excited to be partnering with Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow initiative as part of a commitment to nurture the futures of young girls in the UK, because we believe that investing in their futures is not just a social responsibility, but the key to unlocking a world of possibilities.

Our partnership aims to break down barriers, inspire confidence and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. The benefits are not just for these girls alone, but for society, as we empower them to become tomorrow’s leaders, innovators and changemakers, and we cannot wait to start the work.”

Solve for Tomorrow

The Award-winning competition empowers the next generation of visionaries through education supported by Samsung’s people, partners and technology to carve a new path in the tech world and drive positive change. It gives young people in the UK & Ireland the opportunity to gain skills and receive top-tier advice from leading industry experts, creating a roadmap for the future and a creative space to develop exciting new tech-for-good.

The programme invites 16-25-year-olds across the UK and Ireland to submit their ideas that address a problem within the area of Education, Sustainability, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, and Health & Wellbeing for the chance to take part in a series of workshops, receive invaluable mentorship from Samsung employees and industry experts, and win a coveted £10,000 top prize.

Launch event

To launch this year’s Solve for Tomorrow initiative, Samsung held an event at Samsung KX, Coal Drop’s Yard on Thursday 14th September with Robert Halfon MP, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education giving the keynote speech. TikTok sensation Stepz also took the stage for an exclusive performance followed by a panel discussion and workshops featuring insightful discussions from a range of exciting influencers.

They included autism and ADHD advocate Ellie Middleton, educational champion and YouTuber Vee Kativhu, and fashion and sustainability guru Andrea Cheong.

To find our more and enter the 2024 Solve for Tomorrow competition visit: www.samsung.com/uk/solvefortomorrow.

Methodology:

Research was commissioned by Samsung UK & Ireland and conducted via OnePoll and social enterprise Startup Sherpas. OnePoll surveyed 1,000 UK young people aged 16 to 25 in September 2023.  Startup Sherpas polled 500 young people aged 13 – 16.

Quotation from Hugo Pickford-Wardle – Co-founder Startup Sherpas

“We’re delighted to be supporting Samsung in bringing their Solve for Tomorrow initiative to even more diverse groups across the country. Working with thousands of young people every year through our paid work experience opportunities, we see firsthand how hard it is for many of them to access new opportunities to grow, so it’s wonderful to be able to work with organisations like Samsung who share our beliefs and want to fuel the creation of a generation of innovators.”

[1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/jobsandvacanciesintheuk/march2023

[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/kemi-badenoch-heralds-thriving-1-trillion-uk-tech-sector#:~:text=Last%20year%2C%20the%20UK%20became,funding%20at%20%C2%A324%20billion.