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UN Tourism · Colourful Cultures Initiative

UN Tourism to Support Maasai Cultural Program in Kiteto District, Manyara

Kiteto, Manyara Region, Tanzania
2025
TUI Care Foundation
0 Applications Received
0 Projects Awarded
0 People Trained
60% Women Beneficiaries
Colourful Cultures Initiative
Project Progress
The "Colourful Cultures" initiative is designed to empower local actors to generate income, protect heritage, and shape their own development — representing a landmark moment as UN Tourism provides direct financing and technical support to grassroots organizations for the very first time.
Initiative Scale

A First Call That Reached All of Africa

A first call for proposals attracted 141 applications from non-profit organizations across Africa. Five NGOs were selected — each addressing distinct cultural and economic needs within their communities across four countries.

🇲🇿 Mozambique
🇳🇦 Namibia
🇷🇼 Rwanda
🇷🇼 Rwanda
🇹🇿 Tanzania

"This first call for proposals for the Tourism for Rural Development Small Grants, enabled by TUI Care Foundation, reflects our commitment to community-led tourism in rural areas. The awarded projects provide important local foundations for creatives and entrepreneurs in rural Africa."

— Shaikha Al Nuwais, UN Tourism Secretary-General

"Together with UN Tourism, TUI Care Foundation is proud to provide support and financial assistance to rural communities and further solidify the position of tourism as a driver for rural development. I deeply believe that the carefully selected projects will create a positive impact for both rural host communities and their visitors."

— Thomas Ellerbeck, TUI Care Foundation Chairman
The Five Projects

Awarded Projects in Detail

🇲🇿 Mozambique
Voices and Colors of Gorongosa

Associação dos Deficientes Moçambicanos (ADEMO)

Boosts artisan income for communities around Gorongosa National Park with a focus on empowering people with disabilities. Engages up to 110 people — over 60% women — through training and tourism market access.

🇳🇦 Namibia
Traditions in Bwabwata National Park

Namibia Development Foundation Trust

Rooted in the indigenous Khwe community, this project revitalizes traditional arts through product development and cultural storytelling, supporting a cultural centre for 50 Khwe artisans.

🇷🇼 Rwanda
Creative Tourism & Employment in Musanze

Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development

Focused on women and youth-led cooperatives in Nkotsi and Bisate villages, boosting income through training in visual arts, entrepreneurship, and storytelling for up to 100 participants.

🇷🇼 Rwanda
Enhancing Rural Tourism in Busaga

Nature Rwanda

Protects the Busaga Forest while creating a women- and youth-led tourism destination with guided experiences and handicrafts — supporting 30 community members in conservation and craft production.

For the first time, UN Tourism is providing direct financing and technical support to grassroots organizations — positioning tourism as a genuine driver for rural development across Africa.

— Colourful Cultures Initiative Report · 2025
Programme Context

About the Small Grants Programme

01
Diversify Rural Livelihoods

Enabling sustainable income streams for rural communities through tourism-linked creative economies.

02
Promote Heritage Management

Sustainable stewardship of cultural heritage as a community asset and tourism resource.

03
Conserve Nature

Embedding conservation goals within tourism circuits to protect biodiversity alongside communities.

04
Community Value Chains

Building grassroots tourism value chains that keep economic benefit within local communities.

The first call, "Colourful Cultures" — enabled by the TUI Care Foundation — focuses on empowering artists and artisans, particularly women and youth, by supporting grassroots organizations to strengthen creative economies and foster structural diversification through tourism in remote communities.

🌍 More updates from the field coming soon.

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