A competition for digital solutions for safer travel in Ukraine has been launched in Kyiv
If you are developing a tourism startup, working on digital services, or simply have an idea that could make travel safer, this competition is worth your attention. In Kyiv, UN Tourism announced a special Ukrainian category within the global initiative Safe Destinations Challenge.
What exactly are they looking for
The category is called Traveller Safety Intelligence — "traveller safety intelligence". Its goal is to find technological solutions that help tourists receive timely, verified, and understandable information about safety while traveling.
It’s not just about a pretty app or a travel website. The organizers are looking for tools capable of assisting in real situations: showing risks in real time, mapping safe routes, working offline, or utilizing up-to-date data on crisis events.
A separate focus is communication during crises. So there is also an opportunity for teams creating notification services, understandable risk maps, or other ways to quickly explain to travelers what is happening and how to act.
Who should apply
The competition is open to Ukrainian startups and innovative teams, as well as participants from other European countries. Not only developers of ready-made products can apply: the organizers are interested in ideas that can be scaled and applied in various tourist destinations.
This is a good option for a team that has long been testing solutions in the fields of navigation, data, crisis communications, or digital security, but has not yet had the opportunity to test it in a tourism environment. It is especially relevant for those who are thinking not only about the Ukrainian market but also about the further use of technology in other countries.
Deadlines and prospects
Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2026, and finalists are expected to be announced in October. The winner or the strongest teams will have the opportunity to present their solutions in an international context and show how the Ukrainian experience can be beneficial for the safety of travelers in various countries.
So, is it worth participating? If you are looking for not just a competition for the sake of recognition, but a platform for a practical solution with international potential — yes. And if you are an ordinary traveler, it is also interesting to follow this initiative: it is from such ideas that more convenient routes, clearer warnings, and greater confidence during trips in Ukraine may emerge.
Would you use an app that suggests safe routes in real time and warns about risks?
