Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge 2024 ($1,000 grant)

This is a unique platform for innovative African youth in travel and tourism who are looking for funding, partnerships, and mentorship opportunities to present their projects to the global marketplace in order to find the necessary support for their programs.

Benefits

• $1,000 grant seed for the winner.
• $500 grant seed for 1st & 2nd runner up.
• Complimentary enrolment for short courses provided by UNWTO.
• Mentorship, partnership, potential funding support, and career opportunities.
• Opportunity to be part of an established network of African youth in Tourism Mentors and Innovators.

Eligibility

• Open to youth in Africa.
• Age limit – 35 years.
• Competitors are required to show a demo/Minimum Viable Product (MVP) (5 min) during the presentation.

Entry Guidelines

Clearly indicate the following to avoid disqualification:

• The vision, uniqueness, authenticity and rationale.
• Evidence of innovation in travel & tourism or related industry challenge being solved in Africa – COVID 19 era and into the future (such as technological, social entrepreneurship, educational, youth empowerment and job creation, environmental sustainability, community development, etc.)
• The sustainability of the impact of the project on travel and tourism, local communities and/or related industries.
• Timelines for the project.
• The kind of support required – funding, investors, mentorship, partnerships, etc.
• Conclusion/additional, but relevant information of not more than 500 words.

Application

• Challenge Opens: November 1, 2023.
• Closing date: March 1, 2024.
• Adjudicators will shortlist the Top 5: March 22, 2024.
• Shortlisted project promoters will be informed: on March 29, 2024.
• Mentorship for elevator pitches (12 hours): April 10 – May 16, 2024.
• Submission of shortlisted project promoters: 5-minute presentation at the Summit – May 15, 2024.
• The top 3 announced on May 31, 2024.
• Competitors are required to show a demo/ Minimum Viable Product (MVP) (5min) during the presentation.
• Winners & Runners-up announcement: At ATLF Awards in Gaborone, Botswana October 2024.

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Apply here