The World Leisure International Innovation Prize seeks to recognize organisations that have implemented creative solutions that foster local, national or international leisure opportunities for the benefit and development of individuals and communities. Leisure is considered in its broadest sense including play, recreation, the arts and culture, sports, festivals and celebrations, health and fitness, or travel and tourism. It encompasses indoor or outdoor programs, services and amenities.

2023 CALL IS NOW OPEN!
2023 WL Innovation Prize call is now open!
What makes this prize unique?
The major feature that distinguishes the World Leisure International Innovation Prize from other awards is that it focuses on the social and cultural aspects of leisure as an aspect of the lived experience for individuals in a community and for visitors to the community. This Prize represents the use of leisure as a creative solution to enhancing collectively the social, cultural, environmental, and economic quality of life in an area.
The prize is presented biennially at the World Leisure Expo.
What is meant by Innovation?
Originality, creativity, and innovation should be demonstrated related to process (vision, management, and communications), resources (financial viability and human such as volunteers), partnerships and community involvement, outputs (program, events, and amenities) and outcomes. Further, the project should be “inspirational” or demonstrate a “feel good” factor. Innovation may mean a new idea or it may mean finding creative solutions through leisure to existing problems and issues. Innovations must demonstrate more than a quality program. In addition, applicants must demonstrate that their project does not exist elsewhere but it could be potentially adapted to other situations.
WL International Innovation Prize Winners and Highly Commended
2021 Winner
Garima Voyage Travels and Tours – Trekking Routes in Nepal: Path for a Sustainable Development (Nepal)
- Contact: Mrs. Federica Riccadonna, Technical Advisor (IT)
- Email: garimavoyage@gmail.com
- Web: www.garimavoyagetravel.com
- Interview: https://bit.ly/3K23ugf
2021 Highly Commended
Good Boost
- Contact: Mr. Ben Wilkins, CEO (UK)
- Email: Ben.Wilkins@goodboost.org
- Website: www.goodboost.ai
2019 Winner
Aspire – InstructAbility (UK)
- Contact: Ms. Hilary Farmiloe, Project Manager at Aspire (UK)
- Email: hilary.farmiloe@aspire.org.uk
- Web:www.instructability.org.uk
2019 Highly Commended
Awamaki – Indigenous Women-led Sustainable Tourism in Rural Peru (Peru)
- Contact: Ms. Mollie Mae, International Partnership Manager at Awamaki (Peru)
- Email: mollie@awamaki.org
- Website: www.awamaki.org
2019 Highly Commended
North Carolina State University, Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management – Health Matters: A Multi-Level Approach to Prevent Obesity in Low Income Rural Counties (USA)
- Contact: Jason Bocarro, Professor at North Carolina State University (USA)
- Email: jnbocarr@ncsu.edu
- Websites: www.ncsu.edu
2019 Highly Commended
Cube Management – StreetVelodrome (UK)
- Contact: Andy Moss, Director at Cube Management (UK)
- Email: andy@cubemanagement.com
- Websites: www.streetvelodrome.com
2017 Winner
Yongan River Green Route, Xianju, China
- Contact: Mr. Xuejun Zhang, Director of Xianju Ecological Civilization and Tourism Administration
- Email: maoyingwu@zju.edu.cn
2017 Winner
Leisure for All: Leisure Sports Booming in Keqiao District.
- Programme Contact: Mr. ZHAO Rulang, The People’s Government of Keqiao District, Shaoxing, China
- Email: keqiao2017@126.com
2017 Winner
The Redevelopment of Qiaoxi Historical District: From a Slum to a Recreation and Heritage Site.
- Programme Contact: Hongwen HU, Director of Hangzhou Grand Canal Preservation Center
- Email: huhongwen2017@163.com
2017 Highly Commended
El Sistema Sweden Dream Orchestra
- Programme Information Website: http://www.elsistema.se/sa-gor-vi/dream-orchestra/
- Programme Contact: Ron Davis Alvarez
- Email: ron@elsistema.se
2016 Winner
Diplôme d’Aptitude aux Fonctions d’Animateur (DAFA) or Group Facilitation Skills Certificate
- Organization: Loisir Quebec
- Contact: Sonia Vaillancourt
- Email: infocql@loisirquebec.com
- Web: http://www.programmedafa.com/ (available only in French) // http://www.loisirquebec.com
2016 Highly Commended
The Peace Village Hostel, Flanders, Belgium
- Contact: Matti Vandemaele
- Email: info@peacevillage.be
- Websites: http://www.peacevillage.be/en