Can you transform a country by design?

At the beginning of 1993 an enthusiastic designer from London considered that the impossible might be possible, to help reverse the downward spiral of the economy of Romania through product design. Groups of British and Romanian designers are collaborating on various design projects that can improve the living standards of the average Romanian by providing work, education and affordable products. Although it is too early to say if the scheme has been a success, already it has progressed further than many could have hoped. This paper describes the stages towards fulfilling this dream