Deadline:
April 15, 2026
Location(s)
Worldwide
Overview
We live in times of drastically increasing social challenges and violent global conflicts, further threatened by the effects of climate change. To effectively alleviate prejudices and strengthen unity in today’s society, we strongly believe that diversity and social inclusion must be promoted. Now more than ever, humans need to stand up together.
Social innovation, intercultural dialogue and leadership are powerful tools to counter these challenges. That is where the Intercultural Innovation Hub comes into play. We act.
Are you ready to become the next changemakers?
Details
Mission
OUR MISSION IS TO CONNECT, EMPOWER AND ELEVATE
We…
- CONNECT people and cultures by building an ever-growing community of intercultural change-makers and fostering dialogue on a local, regional and global level.
- EMPOWER grassroots organizations by enabling them to reach their full potential, so they can contribute to a more just and inclusive society.
- ELEVATE and scale up social innovations by offering holistic and long-lasting support to organizations who want to expand their range of action.
WHERE DO WE COME FROM?
The partnership between the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the BMW Group started in 2011 as an initiative to recognize grassroots projects promoting intercultural dialogue.
WHERE ARE WE NOW?
Today, it is a lot more than that and has grown to a full-scale support programme with an associated community. With this holistic approach the initiative has even more impact on the organizations‘ development and therefore on social change itself.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
WHO CAN APPLY?
Eligible to apply for the Intercultural Innovation Hub are not-for-profit organizations and not-for-profit social enterprises implementing innovative projects focused on promoting intercultural dialogue and fostering diverse and inclusive societies, and who are willing to expand their range of action. Examples include projects in the fields of promoting gender equality, preventing xenophobia, violent extremism, and hate speech, promoting the use of sport, art and culture as tools to drive social change and foster social inclusion, supporting the LGBTQI+ community and championing gender diversity, advocating for disability inclusion, and using AI and new technologies at the service of humanity. The Intercultural Innovation Hub welcomes projects focused on any of these priorities. IIH does not support one-time events (e.g., festivals, events, conferences. etc.). The funding cannot be used for salaries.
Dates
Deadline: April 15, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
BENEFITS
The initiative has evolved from an award to a full-scale programme which offers holistic support to up to 10 carefully selected organizations each cycle. We promote innovative social projects that connect people and cultures. With the Sustainable Developments Goals always in mind, one of our main objectives is to successfully scale up these projects.
Recipients will benefit from a comprehensive one-year capacity-building program aimed at strengthening their work. The support program will consist of funding, training and capacity-building, mentoring and opportunities to participate in global and regional events. Support will also be provided to successful projects so that they can be replicated in other contexts or settings where they might be relevant.
A detailed needs assessment will be conducted in conjunction with each of the recipients. UNAOC and the BMW Group, with the support of Accenture, will then mobilize resources to help those projects achieve their goals. After one year, a comprehensive evaluation will be performed in order to assess the impact of the programme on successful projects.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
