UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge 2025

Contests

UN Tourism Social Innovation

Posted:

November 5, 2025

Deadline:

This expired on

December 8, 2025: 12:00 am

Description

 

Additionally, this UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge is designed to provide startups with an opportunity to scale their business and contribute to the innovation of tourism. The main objective of this UN program is to foster partnerships between governments, industries, entrepreneurs, and civil society organizations to drive social innovation through global transformation. Any startup, tourism company, or organization from all parts of the world is welcome for this opportunity. You will develop skills and competencies to develop and scale up new products and services in the tourism sector. This program includes community-based tourism that seeks solutions to empower local communities across the globe. The main aim of this category is to promote women’s participation in tourism and support gender equality. In addition to this, the projects should emphasize the preservation of cultural heritage, promotion of creative industries and green economy.

Similarly, the second category includes inclusivity and accessibility. This category welcomes innovation that improves accessibility in tourism for individuals with or without disability, seniors and travelers with specific access requirements by the families. The third category i.e., Green Projects invites multiple startups and tourism companies looking forward to initiatives that promotes sustainability and regeneration across different areas. The initiatives that support the conservation of protected areas like national parks and biosphere reserves are encouraged to apply for this UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge. If your company has a structured business plan and contributes to achievement of developmental goals, then this international opportunity is for you. Also check out the United Nations Internships. 

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Eligibility Criteria :

Are you interested in UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge 2025? If you are an entrepreneur, organization, startup or a tourism company with an innovative nature, then you are eligible for the international challenge. Make sure to check out the eligibility criteria and apply before the deadline to secure your spot.

Eligibility Criteria for UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge:

  • All startups, scaleups, tourism companies and organizations that have an innovative nature.
  • Participants should offer sustainable and value-added solutions for the tourism sector.
  • Moreover, the audience that leverages new technology and innovative solutions in community-based tourism, accessibility and green projects can apply.
  • The organizations must have potential for growth, scalability and application.
  • Must have a minimum viable product (MVP). However, projects that are ready to be established later will also be considered for this UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge.
  • Must have a structured business plan and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).

Benefits :

The UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge offers scholarships and an invitation to participate in Silicon Valley Summit. So, if you are looking forward to this international challenge, then this opportunity is for you. Read below the detailed benefits of this UN program.

Masters Scholarship List

Benefits of UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge 2025:

  • 6 Scholarships from Sommet Education Foundation for Hospitality Education Programs at Les Roches Marbella Campus in Spain.
  • Access to more than 90 investors and top corporations in 160+ countries.
  • Pitch at UN Tourism Demo Day.
  • The successful participants will benefit from curated mentorship programs.
  • Similarly, the applicants will get potential pilot project with private sector collaborators and institutions.
  • The applicants will get a registered profile on playbook.
  • The successful applicants will also get an invitation to participate in Silicon Valley Summit.
  • Access to talent and synergies with Plug and Play’s portfolio.
  • Access to scholarships from the UN Tourism Online Academy.

 

Documents Required for UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge:

  • Proposed Business
  • Completed application

Opportunity Overview

Organisation

UN Tourism Social Innovation

Category

Location

Expiration Date

This expired on

December 8, 2025

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UN Tourism Social Innovation

Oranisation Overview

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.