Builders of a Sustainable Future competition for schoolchildren kicks off in August
The Builders of a Sustainable Future competition invites schoolchildren to take part in creating a more sustainable world. Based on the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and the City of Espoo, the competition offers pupils a creative way to learn about sustainable development themes and imagine a better future for Espoo through gaming.
The Builders of a Sustainable Future competition starts in Minecraft on Espoo Day, 29 August. Currently, classrooms and youth centres are gathering teams and discussing which sustainable development goals to focus on in their Minecraft worlds. Games are a central part of children’s and young people’s media and popular culture. Gaming is a fun activity that strengthens self-esteem by providing new discoveries and experiences of success. Through gaming, pupils can delve into different themes and learn more about them.
“Games often involve playing in communities and learning shared rules. Games are played in different languages, and the development of language skills is one of the proven benefits of gaming. In Minecraft, creativity and spatial perception play an important role,” says Pedagogical ICT Expert Minna Kukkonen.
“Sustainability education is an important part of school curricula, and activities like gaming support learning. In this competition, pupils get to develop their sustainability knowledge and apply it in the gaming world,” adds Pedagogical Expert Ilona Parviainen.
The competition has four categories aimed at different grade levels: 1st- to 2nd-graders, 3rd- to 4th-graders, 5th- to 6th-graders, and 7th- to 9th-graders. Each category has been assigned age-appropriate sustainable development goals to be implemented in Minecraft. The competition is based on the curriculum objectives, and it increases pupils’ awareness of the ecological, economic, social and cultural dimensions of sustainable development. Builders of a Sustainable Future offers each pupil the opportunity to plan and implement their own vision for the sustainable future of Espoo with the help of Minecraft. Participants do not need previous experience of playing video games, but the challenge will also allow them to learn about gaming and e-sports. The competition is produced under a Minecraft Education licence.
Competition period and prizes
The competition starts on Espoo Day, 29 August, and ends on 31 October 2025. Completed entries must be submitted no later than 31 October at 16:00. The winning entries will be featured across Espoo’s various communication channels, and all participants will receive certificates. At the end of November, winners from all categories will be invited to a spectacular awards gala at Kino Tapiola, where students’ works and ideas will be showcased on the big screen. Joining the celebration to congratulate the winners and get inspired by the pupils’ ideas will be Espoo’s Mayor, Kai Mykkänen, and Merja Narvo-Akkola, Deputy Mayor for Growth and Learning. The gala will culminate in a private screening of A Minecraft Movie.
Registration and instructions
Teachers and youth workers can register their teams for the competition. Guardians can register their child or a team, for example if friends want to participate together with a joint building project. Registration is open at: https://link.webropol.com/ep/espoo-minecraft-kilpailu-2025(external link, opens in a new window)
Enquiries
Pedagogical ICT Expert Minna Kukkonen (minna.kukkonen@espoo.fi), Pedagogical Expert Ilona Parviainen (ilona.parviainen@espoo.fi), Sports Planner Kimmo Leinonen (kimmo.leinonen@espoo.fi), Planner Kasper Wendell (kasper.wendell@espoo.fi) and Christian Joutsenvuori (koordinaattori@incoach.fi).