Intercultural Innovation Hub 2024. United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and BMW Group honor ten International Grassroots Organizations during the 10th UNAOC Global Forum.

Munich/Cascais. Ten grassroots organizations were honoured yesterday as recipients of the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH), one of the flagship initiatives of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with the BMW Group and implemented with the support of Accenture.

The ceremony was held in the framework of the 10th UNAOC Global Forum in Cascais, Portugal under the theme “United in Peace: Restoring Trust, Reshaping the Future – Reflecting on Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity”. The Forum convened prominent figures, political leaders, UN officials including the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, as well as representatives from civil society, academia, and the private sector, to share insights and reflect on the 20 years of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations’ impactful work.

This year, organizations from Austria, Botswana, Canada, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Peru, the United States of America, and Zambia were selected from over 1,800 entries worldwide. Their projects range from fostering diversity and inclusion, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, advancing art, culture and sports for social change.

Through the IIH, the recipients will receive a substantial financial grant, as well as one year of capacity-building and mentorship support.

“We are committed to advancing inclusive, global communities by empowering grassroots initiatives that champion diversity and social cohesion. The Intercultural Innovation Hub showcases innovative projects that directly address these goals, and we are immensely proud of the collaboration between UNAOC and the private sector. Together, we continue to amplify the transformative work of social innovators globally, whose dedication and forward-thinking approaches are driving lasting positive change toward a more united and inclusive world,” said Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC.

“With the Intercultural Innovation Hub, we celebrate outstanding initiatives implemented by extraordinary individuals who are working to bridge intercultural divisions in innovative and impactful ways,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG People and Real Estate, Labour Relations Director. “At the BMW Group, we believe that diversity not only enhances our company, but it is also the very foundation on which our success is built. That is why we are deeply thankful for our strong partnership with the UNAOC. This collaboration enables us to recognize some of the remarkable cross-cultural work being done worldwide.”

“The Intercultural Innovation Hub provides a unique opportunity to drive change through innovation and collaboration. Since 2018, we have been proud to offer our expertise, practical training, and mentorship programs to empower global change-makers, helping them develop and scale their ideas for positive impact," said Roland Mayr, Accenture Senior Managing Director.

Intercultural Innovation Hub 2024 recipients
The following recipients and their projects ranging from fostering diversity and inclusion, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, and advancing art, culture and sports for social change will receive funding along with a comprehensive 12-month capacity-building and mentoring programme: 

• Breaking Grounds - Social Change Through Sport (Austria) - Kicken ohne Grenzen - Empowering Youth through Football
• Circus Zambia (Zambia) - Social Circus for Social Change
• Devatop Centre for Africa Development (Nigeria) - TALKAM Human Rights Initiative
• Global Nomads Group (USA) - Content Creation Lab
• International Centre for Peace, Human Rights and Development in Africa (Kenya) - Youth and Young Women Leaders Mediation and Regional Advocacy Initiatives
• Profonanpe (Peru) - Building Capacity of Indigenous Leaders on Climate Change
• Shreeja India (India) - Football and Beyond
• Yayasan Kota Kita Surakarta (Indonesia) - Surakarta Space Shaper: Empowering Children to design Child-friendly and Inclusive City
• Yellowhead Indigenous Education Foundation (Canada) - Exploring Wâhkôhtowin
• Young Minds Africa Trust (Botswana) - Model Parliament Africa

For more information, please see the IIH’s official website: https://interculturalinnovation.org/

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications
Milena Pighi
Corporate and Governmental Affairs
Spokesperson Corporate Citizenship
Email: milena.pa.pighi@bmw.de
Telephone: +49-89-382-66563

Media website: www.press.bmwgroup.com
Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
Alessandro Girola
Chief, Programming and Projects Unit
Email: alessandro.girola@un.org