Effective communication is one of the most powerful skills an engineer can develop. The ability to make complex ideas accessible, turning them into stories and solutions that resonate, is what transforms good concepts into real-world impact. This is the thinking behind the latest addition to our annual Chapter event calendar – The Big Pitch.
The Big Pitch is a collaboration between Engineers Without Borders UK and RS Group that invites student Chapters to take part in a Dragon’s Den-style competition – pitching to a panel of judges for the chance to win a share of £5,000 in project funding.
Submissions have to consider five key areas – global responsibility, creativity, feasibility, funding approach, and skills development – with judges looking for ideas that demonstrate meaningful impact and reflect the principles of globally responsible engineering.
Earlier this October, we brought the first edition of the competition to a close with a finals event in London.
Students take to the stage
Following an initial round of submissions from students across the country, the ten top-scoring teams were invited to deliver their Big Pitch at the finals. In keeping with the student-led approach of our Chapter events, the team from Queen Mary University of London volunteered to host the day.
The finals unfolded in three parts: a series of pitches to judges from Engineers Without Borders UK and RS Group, interactive group activities – including an energetic engineering quiz tournament led by our host Chapter – and finally, an awards ceremony and celebration.
Coming so soon after our annual Chapters Connect gathering, the event offered another valuable moment for Chapters nationwide to reconnect, collaborate, and celebrate each other’s creativity.
“Hosting this year’s Big Pitch was a huge milestone for our new Chapter. Events like these, bridge the gap between technical knowledge and real-world application which has been our aim from the start. They encourage engineering students like us to think outside the box and to develop ideas that could make an impact globally. It’s not just about competing it’s about collaboration, networking, and learning how to communicate our ideas effectively.“
– Kukuuwa Buckman, Chapter President, Queen Mary University of London
Celebrating the winners
After much deliberation, the judges decided to divide the prizes between five standout teams.
First Place – University of Strathclyde
The Strathclyde Chapter took home the top prize of £1,500 with their project, A Year of Engineering in Action. The initiative will bring sustainable engineering to life through a year-long series of student-led workshops exploring practical, low-cost technologies – from clay pot fridges to water filtration systems – that address challenges linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In the second semester, the most successful prototypes will be installed in the university’s Community Garden, creating a lasting, interactive showcase of engineering for sustainability.
“We are thrilled to win The Big Pitch. It validates our A Year of Engineering in Action project – moving students from theory to hands-on building. This funding is key. We’ll use it to buy workshop materials like solar cells and water filters, with the goal of installing the best student-built prototypes in the garden. This creates a permanent, interactive showcase of sustainable engineering for the whole community.”
– Lewis Phillips, Chapter President, University of Strathclyde
Second Place – University of Southampton, London South Bank University, and City St George’s University of London
Three teams shared second place, each receiving £750 to help bring their projects to life.
At Southampton, students will design and build solar-powered phone chargers through a hands-on challenge that highlights how accessible, low-cost renewable technologies can advance global energy equity.
London South Bank University will establish a Repair & Learn Hub – a monthly community space where students, staff, and local residents collaborate to repair everyday items, reduce waste, and build practical skills.
City St George’s University of London impressed judges with their event and workshops series aimed at helping student engineers recognise their potential as future change makers by asking them to tackle the imagined engineering challenges of 2040.
Third Place – University of Warwick
Rounding out the winners, University of Warwick secured £500 for their Flood Resistance Challenge, which brings together students from across disciplines to design and test flood-resilient solutions – from embankments to sensor alarms – fostering collaboration, systems thinking, and alignment with the UN SDGs on climate action and resilient cities.
Each of the remaining five finalists received £250 in recognition of their efforts, with the judges praising the innovative approaches and clear sense of purpose behind this year’s submissions.
The Big Pitch reflects the shared vision between Engineers Without Borders UK and RS Group to empower students with the skills and mindsets to take real-world action on global challenges.
“At RS, we exist to make amazing things happen for a better world. The future of engineering lies in inspiring the generations of today and tomorrow to make a difference. By giving students the space, tools, and confidence to turn their ideas into action, we help nurture engineers who design with sustainability at the core, not as an afterthought.
The Big Pitch is a perfect example of that, seeing young engineers step up, communicate their vision, and create solutions that make a real and lasting impact reminds us why we do what we do.”
– Elvis Tinago, Education Community Engineer, RS Group
Turning ideas into action
While the finals have concluded and the prizes awarded, this step marks the beginning of the journey for our ten finalist teams. Now comes the real work – turning ideas into action.
Throughout the year, we’ll be following the progress of our winning Chapters as they deliver their projects, showcasing how the next generation of engineers is putting global responsibility into practice. Stay tuned!
Thinking about joining or starting a Chapter? Explore our student Chapters page for more information.
Support our network
Support a network of 24 university Chapters and over 1,000 students driving locally led action across the UK. Partner with us by delivering talks, hosting workshops, or investing in student leadership development. Get in touch at [email protected].
