Sommet Education Foundation and Les Roches Empower Next-Generation Changemakers through UN Tourism’s Social Innovation Challenge
- Sommet Education
- Les Roches
Lausanne, Switzerland, 11th September 2025 – The Sommet Education Foundation and Les Roches are proud to announce their partnership with UN Tourism in launching the Social Innovation Challenge, a global call to accelerate startups and scaleups that deliver sustainable, inclusive, and green solutions with measurable social impact. The initiative is powered by strategic partners: Sommet Education Foundation as the education partner, the non-for-profit entity from Sommet Education, world leader in Hospitality Education, and with the involvement of its world-leading hospitality school, Les Roches.
With tourism contributing 10.4% of global GDP in 2023 and supporting 319 million jobs worldwide, the challenge comes at a pivotal time. As the sector recovers from global disruptions, new models are needed to address climate change, inequality, accessibility gaps, and the need for regenerative growth.
A Global Call for Bold Solutions
The Social Innovation Challenge seeks bold, tech-driven and people-centered solutions across three categories:
- Category 1: Community-based Tourism
Empower communities by involving them in tourism value chains, cultural preservation, and local entrepreneurship.
- Category 2: Inclusivity & Accessibility
Enhance travel for people with disabilities, seniors, and those with specific access needs through universal design and inclusive services.
- Category 3: Green Projects
Promote technologies and practices that reduce the environmental impact of tourism, support circular economy models, and help manage mass tourism through smart solutions.
Innovation is not just about technology—it’s about empowering people, preserving our planet, and shaping a more inclusive and resilient future for global tourism. Globally, social enterprises contribute over 5% of GDP in many countries and employ millions, with a significant focus on tackling inequality, environmental sustainability, and community development. This challenge is a call to action for solutions that place social innovation and equality at the heart of tourism.
Education as the Engine of Transformation
As education partner, the Sommet Education Foundation will provide scholarships that empower individuals from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds to access world-class higher education hospitality programs. Winners of the challenge’s scholarships will undertake higher education programs at Les Roches to gain the skills and knowledge needed to develop their bold ideas into impactful and innovative products and services.
At Sommet Education Foundation, we are committed to empowering the next generation of changemakers through access to world-class hospitality education. By supporting the Social Innovation Challenge, we aim to not only foster inclusive and sustainable tourism—but also to provide the skills and knowledge needed to shape bold ideas into innovative products and services. These scholarships will enable individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter prestigious institutions like Les Roches, equipping them with the tools to drive meaningful social impact. Education is the engine of transformation, and through this initiative, we are nurturing talent that will lead tourism into a more resilient, equitable, and regenerative future.
Les Roches: Shaping Innovative Hospitality Leaders
Les Roches, as part of the Sommet Education network, will host selected entrepreneurs at its Marbella campus. Winners will receive up to six full scholarships for advanced hospitality programs lasting 9–12 months, providing both academic excellence and direct exposure to global industry leaders.
Tourism has the power to transform societies, elevate communities, and inspire global progress when anchored in inclusivity and sustainability. At Les Roches, we believe education is the spark that turns ideas into movements and equips hospitality leaders to shape the future. By supporting the Social Innovation Challenge alongside the Sommet Education Foundation and UN Tourism, we are helping accelerate solutions that can deliver real impact for communities and the planet.
Call for Applications
The Challenge is open to entrepreneurs, startups and scaleups with a disruptive approach in the tourism sector, offering solutions that have at least a minimum viable product (MVP) or are ready for implementation.
The UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge is also backed by Plug and Play as the technology partner, and TORNUS Agency as branding and communications partner.
Applications will close 8th December 2025.
Selected finalists will gain access to a wide range of strategic benefits, including:
- Up to 6 full scholarships financed by Sommet Education Foundation for higher education programs from 9 to 12 months in hospitality education and international hotel management delivered at Les Roches campus in Marbella, Spain.
- The opportunity to pitch at the UN Tourism Demo Day, and connection to a global network of 90+ investors and leading tourism corporations in over 160 countries.
- Finalists personalized mentorship through the UN Tourism Innovation Network.
- Exclusive Plug and Play benefits such as access to the Silicon Valley Summit.
- Scholarships offered by the UN Tourism Online Academy.
More information:https://www.unwto.org/challenges-competitions/empowering-sustainable-inclusive-and-green-solutions-for-social-impact
About Sommet Education Foundation
The Sommet Education Foundation empowers underrepresented talent through access to world-class hospitality education and career opportunities. By providing scholarships and promoting inclusive industry initiatives, the Foundation helps shape a more diverse and equitable future for hospitality. Backed by Sommet Education’s global network of schools and partners, it supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds and champions the social impact of hospitality through training, mentorship, and employment pathways.
For more information, visit:https://www.sommet-education.com/the-foundation
About Les Roches
Les Roches is a distinguished Swiss institution dedicated to fostering innovative and entrepreneurial leaders of tomorrow in the hospitality industry. Founded in 1954 in Switzerland, Les Roches offers undergraduate, graduate degrees and executive programs in Luxury, Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. Les Roches has campuses across Switzerland, Spain, UAE and China, as well as partner campus in near New Delhi.
Part of Sommet Education, worldwide leader in hospitality education, Les Roches ranks number 2 in the world’s higher education institutions for hospitality and leisure management (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).
Les Roches has received official recognition from the Swiss Accreditation Council (SAC) as a Swiss University of Applied Sciences Institute. In addition, Les Roches is also accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
For more information, visit:https://lesroches.edu/
