Alpine youth competition highlights sustainability

The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region organized the Pitch Your Project competition to showcase the creativity and dedication of young people in promoting a more sustainable future in the Alpine region. The initiative invites participants aged 18 to 29 from Alpine states to submit projects that support the region’s attractiveness and sustainable development, either individually or in groups.

Competition focuses on four key themes

For the 2026 edition, the competition centered on four themes: sustainable tourism, digital technology, the preservation of natural sites, and youth civic participation. These topics reflect the region’s priorities in addressing environmental, technological, and social challenges.

Five finalists presented their projects

Five finalist projects were showcased during the 2026 edition of the competition, with the public selecting three winners. The prizes, totaling 10,000 euros, were funded by the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region and awarded based on the quality and impact of the proposals.

First prize goes to Navig’Alps

Navig’Alps, the winner of the 5,000 euro prize, is a web platform designed to help people with reduced mobility plan accessible trips in the Alps. It compiles information on accommodations, transport, restaurants, and activities to make Alpine tourism more inclusive and welcoming for all.

Second prize awarded to GemGo

GemGo, which won the 3,000 euro prize, is a mobile app developed by a team including Killian Foloppe from Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and two young Italians. The app promotes sustainable tourism by suggesting alternatives to crowded sites, rewarding responsible behavior, and helping to predict tourist attendance.

Third prize goes to TouMove

TouMove, the winner of the 2,000 euro prize, aims to distribute tourist traffic more evenly across the Alps. Its platform connects existing transport services to make it easier for visitors to reach less-visited areas and encourages the use of public transportation.

Other finalists focused on cycling and education

The other two finalists, PED’ALP and Connäct, proposed projects that also aligned with the competition’s goals. PED’ALP aimed to develop sustainable cycling tourism, while Connäct focused on strengthening youth civic participation through educational workshops.

Region praises young innovators

Jérôme Durain, president of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, praised the finalists for their creativity and dedication. He highlighted how their projects address the challenges facing the Alpine region with bold and practical solutions.