WHAT IS I CAN SCHOOLS CHALLENGE
An annual online global platform for students to share about their impact projects (Stories of Change). Stories of Change must be developed using the simplified design thinking methodology of Feel-Imagine-Do-Share (FIDS). The Challenge aims to develop impact-driven, values-focused, socially-conscious, self-confident and globally-competent Malaysian students. To promote inclusivity and to achieve the objective of growing a movement of ICAN Superheroes, submissions are invited from all Malaysian school children.
Together We Can:
I CAN Solutions for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future
The theme in 2025 is “Together We Can: Happy Schools, Happy Communities” aligns with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, which champions inclusivity and sustainability across the region. The I CAN Schools Challenge empowers students to become changemakers in their own schools and communities, designing practical, empathetic, and creative solutions that reflect ASEAN’s shared values of unity, resilience, and collective wellbeing.
Through the lens of Happy Schools and Happy Communities, students and teachers are encouraged to tackle real challenges: whether in the classroom, playground, neighborhood, or beyond. Together we can shape a future where every voice matters, no one is left behind, and sustainability is part of everyday life.
WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE?
Target Participants: 6-16 year old students, and teachers from primary and secondary schools across Malaysia.
The “I CAN” mindset equips every child to be AWARE of the world around them; ENABLED with the skills to take ACTION; and EMPOWERED to design a more resilient and sustainable future - TODAY!
Malaysia is a country known for its diverse cultures and ethnicities, unity has become a principle in determining the country's future direction. I CAN Schools Challenge is a platform in uniting differences, instilling values of unity and mutual respect.
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Be Recognised as a "Design For Change" Practitioner
Teachers who participate in the I CAN FIDS workshops will be certified and recognised as DFC Practitioners.
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Develop Socially-Conscious & Globally Competent Student
Develop your students to be leaders beyond the classroom and to use THEIR creative ideas to solve challenges and issues that they FEEL DEEPLY about in your schools and communities!
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REPRESENT MALAYSIA ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
Stand a chance to present and showcase your team's project on the global stage during I CAN Children's Global Summit or Be The Change celebration.
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Self-Development
Learn design-thinking skills for personal and professional development
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Networking Opportunities
Connect with other like-minded educators from the country and around the world
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Think Global, Act Local
Showcase your knowledge and projects that contribute to creating impact, and building a more desirable, sustainable world.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
If you haven't gone through a workshop with us, we highly recommend it and is free for all students and teachers to attend. Otherwise, we have guides on how you can learn our FIDS methodology on your own, so you can still submit a project! Please remember your team needs to consist of 1 teacher/mentor and up to 4 students (min of 3 students). Students should be between 6 - 16 years old. Ready to submit? Follow the guidelines below (click here)
Here are some important video guidelines to know before submitting:
1. Student teams are required to express diversity and unity, which can be achieved with diverse team members, diverse languages used in videos and so on !
2. If students are speaking in Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Tamil or any other mother tongue language, make sure to add English subtitles so everyone can understand.
3. Animation and cartoon videos are also welcome! The goal is to encourage maximum creativity.
We want to portray the diversity of Malaysia through a multicultural society!
It is vital for students to speak naturally and from the heart and avoid reading from a script; instead, use bullet points to guide your thoughts.
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OUR Workshops
Our I CAN FIDS workshops are designed for children and educators to test and better understand the DFC FIDS methodology, and how to incorporate it into their classroom. We offer both in person and virtual workshop session. The workshop will help teams to effectively develop ideas & implement solutions for their daily lives, schools and communities.
Register Your Interest -
REFRESH YOUR FIDS SKILLS
Start with a quick refresher course video if you haven't practiced F-I-D-S in a while or are new to F-I-D-S. Go through the PDF toolkit and guidelines, and answer the questions based on the project you intend to create. (Download Here)
Watch FIDS Videos
PAST PROJECTS
Since 2018, the I CAN Schools Challenge has received over 500+ student-led projects from 2,500+ students and 450+ teachers across malaysia, with a collective impact of 500,000+ lives.
OUR STRATEGIC THEMES
Real Solutions. Real Impact. By Children - for Malaysia and the World!
The I CAN Schools Challenge will demonstrate the potential of unity amongst children, and showcase local scalable and impactful solutions developed by children for a sustainable, resilient and diversed Malaysia.
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Health & Wellbeing
With the increase of mental health issues among students arising from the effects of the pandemic, how can students be equipped to combat these challenges, and what solutions are needed to support the future generation?
Submit Your Project -
Environment and Climate Action
Unleashing the creativity of students to develop and implement environmental and climate action projects in their homes, schools, and communities.
Submit Your Project -
Innovation and Technology
How can we encourage and empower our young changemakers to use their vigor, creativity and robustness to create new and innovative ideas to solve some of the world’s pressing issues?
Submit Your Project -
Art, Culture and Heritage
Providing opportunities for students to contribute their ideas towards building a culture that is inclusive and that supports their own development and welfare
Submit Your Project
Challenge Timeline
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Official Launch of Challenge |
15 July 2025 |
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Team Pre-Registration and Problem Statement Submission |
26 June - 15 July 2025 |
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National FIDS Workshops |
1 July - 31 August 2025 |
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Full Project Submission via I CAN Platform |
16 July - 31 August 2025 |
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School Projects Submission Deadline |
31 August 2025 |
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Judging and Selection |
1-10 September 2025 |
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Top Finalist Announcement (Malaysia Day) |
16 September 2025 |
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Community Outreach and Project Scaling |
20 September - 20 November 2025 |
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National Be The Change (World's Children's Day) |
20 November 2025 |
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Malaysian DFC Delegation Send-Off Event |
TBC |
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Be The Change 2025 (Tokyo, Japan) |
27 - 30 November 2025 |