The UK’s first designated UNESCO City of Design is looking for designers to respond to a call to help find a digital design solution to fundamentally improve the lives of those who must deal with homelessness on a daily basis, and consider how digital technology can be used to prevent the issue in the first place.

Entrants are invited to imagine a digital communication system that can reconnect homeless people with everyday life – with friends and family, with each other, with potential sources of help – food, financial, emotional and practical support.

The system must take into account the fact that homeless people have limited, if any, access to digital technology.

The competition, open to residents of all 16 UNESCO Cities of Design, is sponsored by DC Thomson and Co Ltd.

The winning designer will receive a prize worth £15,000 and an invitation to spend up to three months in Dundee developing their system.

They will be given accommodation, flights, studio space and peer mentoring to help them develop their project.

Anna Day, manager of UNESCO, Dundee City of Design, said: “We want innovative designers to come up with new ideas that can help people without a home to live their lives.”

The aim of the prize is to cement Dundee’s reputation as a world leader in digital design and innovation.

Closing date for entries is November 28 and the winner will be announced next year. For eligibility criteria and entry information visit www.dundeecityofdesign.com.