The initiative Design without Borders is founded on the belief that design and designers can make a significant contribution towards a sustainable society.

Within the long-term development framework Design without Borders would like to highlight the benefits of systematic product development of appropriate and high quality products based on identified needs in society and the market. Design without Borders eagers to create and improve opportunities for development related to less-advantaged groups in society, focusing on social, economic and environmental issues.

Guatemala projects
Design without Borders - Guatemala is carried out as a co-operation between the Rafael Landívar University and Norsk Form - The Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture. The projects are supported by Fredskorpset (the Norwegian peace corps).

The two first projects in the programme started early February this year. Two Norwegian industrial designers are currently working as part of development teams in Guatemala. One project deals with disaster housing and temporary shelters (the shelter project web), whereas the other focuses on waste management and recycling (these pages).

The final project presentation will take place at Norsk Forms offices in Oslo in March 2003. There will also be a small exhibition of the work.