Applications Invited for UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge

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About the Organization

UN Tourism’s leadership vision acknowledges the most pressing challenges facing tourism and identifies the sector’s ability to overcome them and to drive wider positive change, including the opportunities responsible tourism offers for the advancement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

About the Grant

As tourism continues to be a cornerstone of economic growth globally, new challenges and opportunities arise in the face of evolving global dynamics, climate change, and shifting social needs. In 2023, tourism accounted for 10.4% of global GDP and provided 319 million jobs, representing 10% of total employment worldwide. This sector's economic footprint is vast, generating over $9 trillion in economic output annually. However, the complexities of achieving sustainable growth, fostering inclusive practices, and minimizing environmental impacts require innovative approaches that address both local and global challenges.

This Global Social Innovation Challenge seeks to identify and support groundbreaking startups, scaleups, and entrepreneurs who are driving change in three key areas: Community-based Tourism, Inclusivity & Accessibility, and Green Projects. The challenge invites innovative solutions that enhance the tourism ecosystem through sustainable practices, inclusivity, and community empowerment. By focusing on these three pillars, the challenge aims to support initiatives that not only create economic opportunities but also promote equality, sustainability, and the preservation of cultural heritage and natural resources.

Selected finalists will be invited to pitch their solutions at the UN Tourism Tech Adventures and benefit from the UN Tourism Innovation Network, including potential access to finance, pilot projects, and global visibility.

Objectives:

• Innovate: Support solutions that empower communities, enhance accessibility, and promote green tourism practices.
• Adopt: Encourage widespread adoption of inclusive, accessible, and sustainable tourism practices.
• Collaborate: Foster partnerships between governments, industries, entrepreneurs and civil society organizations to drive social innovation through global tourism transformation.
• Identify, train and support groundbreaking startups, scaleups, entrepreneurs and talented individuals who are driving change in three key areas: Community-based Tourism, Inclusivity & Accessibility, and Green Projects.
• Provide the dedicated academic competences and skills to develop these leaders and entrepreneurs to enable them to develop and scale-up new products and services within Tourism.
• Sustain: Promote long-term solutions that balance economic growth, environmental preservation, and social equity within the tourism sector.
• Scale: Identify and accelerate scale innovations with the potential for global impact in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient tourism industry

Categories:

• Community-based Tourism: This category seeks solutions that empower local communities across the globe. Innovations should focus on creating projects and platforms that actively involve local communities in cultural and tourism initiatives.
• Inclusivity & Accessibility: This category welcomes innovations that enhance accessibility in tourism for people with or without disability, seniors and travellers with specific access requirements and their families.
• Green Projects: This category invites startups and tourism companies leading innovative initiatives that promote sustainability and regeneration across multiple areas.

Benefits:

• 6 Scholarships from Sommet Education Foundation for Hospitality Education Programmes at Les Roches Marbella Campus in Spain (more information and conditions, available in the Terms and Conditions below)
• Pitch at UN Tourism Demo Day
• Access to 90+ Investors;
• Access to Top Corporations in 160+ Countries;
• Curated mentorship programmes;
• Potential pilot project with private sector collaborators and institutions;
• Plug and Play benefits:
• Registered profile on Playbook;
• Invitation to participate in the Silicon Valley Summit;
• Access to talent and synergies with Plug and Play’s portfolio;
• Scholarships from the UN Tourism Online Academy.

Eligibility

Startups, scaleups, innovative MSMEs, tourism companies, and organizations that meet the following requirements can apply:

• Have an innovative and/or disruptive nature;
• Offer sustainable and value-added solutions for the tourism sector;
• Leverage new technologies and innovative solutions in community-based tourism, accessibility,  and/or green projects;
• Have potential for growth, scalability, and application;
• Preferably have a minimum viable product (MVP). However, projects that are ready to be developed, in later stages of the idea phase will also be considered;
• Have a structured business plan;
• Contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

How to Apply

Deadline: 8^th December, 2025

Apply now

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Entrepreneurship Innovations and Technology Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Others