Deadline: 15-Aug-2026
The STREETS Awards recognize outstanding social enterprises and initiatives creating measurable social impact in the global hospitality and tourism sector. The programme offers financial awards, mentorship opportunities, networking access, and global visibility for emerging organizations and mission-driven ventures focused on sustainable and socially impactful solutions.
Program Overview
The STREETS Awards are designed to recognize and support organizations and initiatives that are creating meaningful change in hospitality and tourism. The programme focuses on emerging and early-stage organizations that combine innovation, sustainability, and social impact within their work.
The initiative encourages participation from social enterprises, mission-driven businesses, nonprofits, and NGOs that are working to create positive outcomes, particularly through youth-focused programs and community development activities.
In addition to funding opportunities, the programme offers mentorship and visibility designed to help applicants strengthen their communication strategies and expand their impact.
Focus Areas and Program Objectives
The programme supports several thematic areas across hospitality and tourism.
Key focus areas include:
• Hospitality and tourism initiatives
• Youth development in tourism
• Social impact creation
• Sustainability practices
• Mentorship and capacity strengthening
• Transparent financial practices
• Storytelling development
• Networking opportunities
• Industry collaboration
Program Goals
The initiative aims to:
• Recognize socially impactful organizations
• Support sustainable tourism initiatives
• Encourage youth engagement in tourism
• Promote innovative hospitality solutions
• Strengthen storytelling and communication capacity
• Improve visibility for emerging ventures
• Support long-term sector collaboration
Award Categories and Funding Support
The programme provides several funding opportunities.
STREETS Social Enterprise Award for Hospitality and Tourism
Funding support includes:
• Winner award: $10,000
• Honorable mention: $2,500
Alan Spanier Impact Award for Youth Development in Tourism
Funding support includes:
• Winner award: $10,000
• Honorable mention: $2,500
Alan Spanier Impact Award for Emerging Hospitality and Tourism Initiatives
Funding support includes:
• Award amount: $5,000
Additional Program Benefits
Beyond financial awards, participants can access several additional opportunities.
Benefits include:
• Mentorship support
• Storytelling guidance
• Support in presenting impact effectively
• Assistance with transparent financial communication
• Global recognition opportunities
• Networking with industry professionals
• Engagement with judges and sector experts
• Constructive feedback for future growth
Key Concepts Explained
Social enterprise refers to an organization that combines business activities with a social mission to create positive societal outcomes.
Social impact refers to measurable positive changes created within communities, industries, or target groups.
Storytelling development involves improving the ability to communicate an organization’s mission, impact, and outcomes effectively.
Mission-driven organizations are entities that prioritize social or community objectives alongside operational goals.
Who is Eligible?
The programme is open to emerging and early-stage organizations within the hospitality and tourism sector.
Eligible applicants include:
• Social enterprises
• Mission-driven businesses
• Nonprofit organizations
• NGOs
• Organizations working in hospitality and tourism
• Youth-focused initiatives
• Ventures with measurable social impact
Applicants must generally:
• Be early-stage or emerging organizations
• Be up to five years old
• Demonstrate sustainability and impact potential
Why This Opportunity Matters
Hospitality and tourism play an important role in economic development and community growth. Supporting organizations that create social value within these sectors can generate broader benefits for communities and future industry development.
Potential outcomes include:
• Greater youth participation opportunities
• Sustainable tourism growth
• Increased social innovation
• Stronger community impact
• Enhanced collaboration within the sector
• Improved visibility for emerging ventures
How the Programme Works
Applicants participate in a process designed to strengthen both their applications and organizational development.
Application process steps include:
- Prepare information about the organization and its impact.
- Demonstrate measurable social outcomes and sustainability efforts.
- Present financial information clearly and transparently.
- Explain organizational goals and long-term vision.
- Participate in mentoring and feedback opportunities where applicable.
- Engage with the awards process and judging activities.
Tips for Applicants
Organizations can strengthen their applications by focusing on clarity and measurable outcomes.
Helpful tips include:
• Clearly explain the social problem being addressed
• Present measurable impact evidence
• Highlight sustainability efforts
• Use concise and compelling storytelling
• Demonstrate transparency in financial practices
• Show future growth potential
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid common weaknesses in submissions.
Common mistakes include:
• Unclear impact measurements
• Weak storytelling approaches
• Incomplete financial information
• Limited evidence of sustainability
• Broad claims without supporting examples
• Lack of long-term vision
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the STREETS Awards?
The STREETS Awards recognize organizations creating social impact within hospitality and tourism.
Who can apply?
Social enterprises, NGOs, nonprofits, mission-driven businesses, and similar organizations working within hospitality and tourism may apply.
What is the maximum funding available?
The highest individual award available through the programme is $10,000.
Are only tourism organizations eligible?
The programme supports initiatives across hospitality and tourism sectors, including youth development and social impact activities.
What additional benefits are offered besides funding?
Participants may receive mentorship, networking opportunities, visibility, and constructive feedback.
Does the programme focus on youth initiatives?
Yes. Youth development in tourism is one of the dedicated award categories.
Do applicants receive value even if they are not selected?
Yes. Applicants can benefit from recognition, mentoring opportunities, feedback, and increased visibility.
Conclusion
The STREETS Awards provide an opportunity for emerging organizations and social enterprises in hospitality and tourism to gain funding, visibility, mentorship, and industry connections. By supporting initiatives that combine sustainability and measurable social impact, the programme helps strengthen innovation and positive change across the global tourism ecosystem.
For more information, visit STREETS International.