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UNWTO Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge 2025 for young Africans

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Applications are now open for the 2025 UNWTO Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge.

The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge is a unique platform that aims to empower innovative African youth in the travel and tourism industry.

It offers funding, mentorship, partnerships, and global exposure, allowing participants to present their groundbreaking projects to an international audience and secure the support they need to make their ideas a reality.

Requirements

  • The initiative is inclusive and welcomes participants regardless of gender, race, or physical ability.
  • The challenge is open to individuals (youth aged 18-35 years and postgraduate students of all ages globally), partnerships, or corporations innovating within the tourism sector.

Entry Guideline:

To participate, entrants must adhere to the following criteria to avoid disqualification:

  1. Project Vision and Uniqueness: Clearly outline your project’s vision, its originality,
    and authenticity. Explain the rationale behind your innovation.
  2. Evidence of Innovation: Demonstrate how your project addresses a challenge in travel and tourism or a related sector in Africa. Examples include technological advancements, social entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, job creation, environmental sustainability, and community development.
  3. Sustainability and Impact: Highlight how your project delivers long-term benefits
    to the tourism industry, local communities, or related sectors.
  4. Timeline: Provide a clear timeline for project implementation.
  5. Support Needed: Specify the type of support required, such as funding, mentorship, investment, or partnerships.
  6. Additional Information: Submit relevant supporting details in under 500 words.
  7. Demo/Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Prepare a 5-minute presentation to showcase your MVP during the competition.

Awards

Winner:

  • USD1000 worth of prizes
  • Inclusive of the benefits below:
  1. Complimentary enrolment for short courses provided by UN Tourism.
  2. Mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career opportunities.
  3. Opportunity to be part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism
    Mentors and Innovators.

1st Runner Up:

  • USD500 worth of prizes
  • Inclusive of the benefits below:
  1. Complimentary enrolment for short courses provided by UN Tourism.
  2. Mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career opportunities.
  3. Opportunity to be part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism
    Mentors and Innovators.

2nd Runner Up:

  • USD500 worth of prizes
  • Inclusive of the benefits below:
  1. Complimentary enrolment for short courses provided by UN Tourism.
  2. Mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career opportunities.
  3. Opportunity to be part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism
    Mentors and Innovators.

Professional Development: Complimentary enrolment in short courses by UN
Tourism.

Career Advancement: Access to mentorship, funding, and partnership opportunities and inclusion in the Africa Youth in Tourism Mentors and Innovators Network.

Global Exposure: Present your innovation at high-profile events and connect with
industry leaders.

Competition Timeline:

  1. Challenge Opens: 10th December 2024
  2. Closing Date: 28th February 2025
  3. Top 20 Shortlist Announced: 14th March 2025
  4. Bootcamp: 31st March – 4th April 2025
  5. Resubmission Deadline: 11th April 2025
  6. Final Judging: 18th April 2025
  7. Pitch Battle: 8th May 2025
  8. Top 5 Announced: 8th May 2025

Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit: 10 – 13 June 2025, Nairobi, Kenya

Winners Revealed: Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards 2025 (dates to be announced)

NB: Only one entry is allowed per participant.

Apply here

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