WYSE Up
Grant Programme
WYSE Up is WYSE Travel Confederation’s development grant programme, extended to organisations new to the community to provide them with fasttracked entrance to the heart of the global youth travel industry.
Why do we run
WYSE Up?
We are looking for organisations that can help the industry to diversify its offerings and that can uncover the best new innovative solutions, to meet the changing needs of young travellers, and help our industry face the future in an efficient and sustainable way.
We are looking for organisations that
- Are focused on delivering innovative services and products to our community
- Have a strong leadership and team expertise
- Have an adaptable and flexible approach to business operations
- Are accountable, transparent and reliable
- Have a long-term vision and a strategic plan
No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, our programme provides personalised support and resources designed to help you reach the next level.
Challenges
Each organisation is carefully considered and selected for its potential, uniqueness and forward thinking ideas. Organisations are invited to apply to join the programme under one of the four priority challenges below.
Climate action
student travel industry will depend on our community’s ability to embrace a low carbon future. To that end we are looking for organisations that can aid the industry accelerate that transition with meaningful climate action.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Disruptor organisations
Underrepresented markets
What does the WYSE Up grant include?
Through a complimentary two-year membership, organisations that receive the WYSE Up grant will be provided with:
A hands-on WYSE Up Mentor and access to the Member Portal
Funding to attend a
WYSE Travel Confederation event
Access to a wealth of educational tools, such as webinars and podcasts
Advocacy toolkits and the chance to be involved in new advocacy initiatives
Access to industry research, including the largest global study on youth and student travel, New Horizons
Promotional opportunities and introductions to relevant member organisations
What’s on offer
The mentor programme
A mentor will be selected from our community to provide you with the guidance you need to get ahead in the youth travel industry. Meetings will occur both online and in person at one of our events. They will help you to navigate the event and association, to ensure you get the most out of your experience.
Event funding
The successful candidates will have the registration fees and transport and accommodation costs covered to attend one of our youth travel industry annual conferences such as WYSTC, STAY WYSE and WETM-IAC.
Membership
Through a complimentary annual membership the successful candidate will receive access to a wide range of webinars, research publications, podcasts, connections with fellow members, and a go to WYSE Travel Confederation staff member to help you get the most out of your membership.
Membership
Membership of WYSE Travel Confederation is an invaluable investment for those involved in youth, student, and educational travel. It offers a unique blend of networking, educational resources, advocacy, and visibility, designed to support organisations in growing their business and enhancing their contribution to the global travel industry.
- Educational resources
- Research and data
- Advocacy tool kits
- Best practices
- Promotional opportunities
- Access to membership portal
- Weekly industry updates
- Use of WYSE logo
- Letter of support
Mentorship
Applicants will have the opportunity to work closely with a dedicated mentor who will provide guidance and support throughout the programme. Mentorship sessions will be conducted both online and in person, ensuring applicants receive the personalised attention to help them make the most out of their WYSE Up experience.
Topics will look at areas such as:
- Your organisational set up and needs
- About WYSE Travel Confederation
- The positioning of your organisation in the community
- Getting your organisation WYSTC ready
- Post-WYSTC review
- Making the most out of your membership
Events
- 600+ attendees from the youth and student travel industry
- 200+ international buyers
- Up to 48 pre-scheduled one-to-one business appointments
- 93% decision makers
- 30+ speakers
- EUR 83,000 average new business generated per organisation
- 150+ countries represented
- 42% women attendees
The World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) is not just an event; it is a catalyst for growth, innovation and connection in the youth and student travel industry.
Membership
Membership of WYSE Travel Confederation is an invaluable investment for those involved in youth, student, and educational travel. It offers a unique blend of networking, educational resources, advocacy, and visibility, designed to support organisations in growing their business and enhancing their contribution to the global travel industry.
- Educational resources
- Research and data
- Advocacy tool kits
- Best practices
- Promotional opportunities
- Access to membership portal
- Weekly industry updates
- Use of WYSE logo
- Letter of support
Mentorship
Topics will look at areas such as:
- Your organisational set up and needs
- About WYSE Travel Confederation
- The positioning of your organisation in the community
- Getting your organisation WYSTC ready
- Post-WYSTC review
- Making the most out of your membership
Events
- 600+ attendees from the youth and student travel industry
- 200+ international buyers
- Up to 48 pre-scheduled one-to-one business appointments
- 93% decision makers
- 30+ speakers
- EUR 83,000 average new business generated per organisation
- 150+ countries represented
- 42% women attendees
-
Event Funding
Successful candidates will have the registration fees, transport and accommodation costs covered to attend WYSTC 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Project timeline
Application milestones
These are the key points you will need to complete in order to be successful in your application
Apply
Make sure you submit a detailed application form by 24 April. Please provide as much detail as possible.
Your mentor
Ensure you are ready for your mentor meeting and have offered input where necessary.
Membership
Complete the membership process as required. Please provide all documentation in a timely fashion.
Engagement
Your mentor will guide you through a series of tasks tailored to your needs. We encourage you to actively engage on these assignments.
WYSTC
Make sure you register on time, schedule business appointments, book your travel, and be ready to tackle your goals.
Once all the above milestones have been reached you will be announced as a new member at the WYSE Travel Confederation AGM and as a WYSE Up grant winner at WYSTC.
Two-Year transformation blueprint
Elevated confidence and visibility
Your active participation will build substantial confidence and global awareness of your brand, mission, services, or products.
Strategic networking and partnerships
Attendance at key events, coupled with strategic networking, will fortify your sales pipeline and uncover surprising partnerships.
Sales and brand mastery
Through consistent engagement and feedback, you will refine your sales strategies and brand messaging, aligning them perfectly with market demands.
Lasting industry relationships
The connections you make will evolve into lasting relationships, fostering collaboration and support within the WYSE community
Contributions to industry evolution
Your educational inputs, advocacy initiatives, or leadership in workshops and webinars will significantly contribute to the industry’s future direction.
Promotional achievements:
Leveraging WYSE’s platforms to share your news and achievements will enhance your brand’s visibility and impact.
Preparation for continued leadership
As you grow with WYSE, the opportunity to mentor new members as a WYSE Up Mentor becomes a possibility, allowing you to give back and shape the next generation of industry leaders.