ABOUT

"+Closer from Afar": A Revolutionary Approach to Solidarity
Through its project "+Closer from Afar", we addresses, using shared design and Design Thinking, the challenges related to essential and emergency goods in refugee camps, war-torn areas, and for migrants in transit.
According to UNHCR estimates, there were approximately 893 million refugees in 2023.
This project aims to provide concrete solutions to improve the quality of life for these people.
How the Project is Developed
The Anako team coordinates and organizes study groups and workshops in collaboration with Italian and international universities and professional studios.
Through creative processes, the development of design solutions, and the application of Design Thinking, these groups can provide practical and innovative solutions to the different challenges faced by refugee camps, migrants in transit, and crisis areas.
Currently, more than 500 design students from around the world, along with various professional studios, are working on the project, following different project BRIEFs developed in collaboration with NGOs operating in the field and partnering with Us.
A selection of the best projects created by students and professional studios is further developed by the Anako team, leading to prototypes, pre-series, and cost estimates.
Depending on the nature of each project and the success of fundraising efforts, these solutions are then either distributed and/or produced where needed as open-source solidarity projects.
An additional value of the project is the creation of autonomous and local production systems and a transfer of know-how that, in a second phase, can develop independently in new directions.
Collaborating Universities
Currently, the project is being developed in partnership with the design faculties of the following universities:
IUAV Vicenza
NABA Milan
National University of Córdoba – Argentina
Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano – Colombia
Universidad Javeriana Bogotá – Colombia
Universidad DUOC UC – Chile
+Various professional studios
Areas of Intervention
The project focuses on several key areas to improve the quality of life in refugee camps, for migrants in transit, and in crisis-affected regions:
Developing technical and sustainable interventions to support the most vulnerable, addressing water contamination, combating food shortages, and mitigating the impacts of extreme climatic conditions.
Current Project Status
The Design faculties of IUAV and Universidad Javeriana presented their projects in May 2024, with 30 proposals submitted, of which 3 were selected for development and prototyping.
The Design faculty of DUOC UC presented its projects in January 2025, with 20 proposals submitted, of which 1 was selected for development and prototyping.
January 2025
3 universities have completed their first design cycle.
50 projects presented to date.
4 projects selected for development and prototyping:
Bloodbalance – Plasma bag holder – IUAV Vicenza
Wave Light – Emergency lamp – IUAV Vicenza
Life Jacket for Migrant Children – U. Javeriana Bogotá
(This led to the development of a life jacket for infants)
Water Transport Vest – DUOC UC Chile