Education for Change: TUI Care Foundation and UNICEF partner to empower children and youth and build resilient communities in Montenegro and Zimbabwe

Berlin, August 2025. TUI Care Foundation and UNICEF draw on their combined strengths to create opportunities for children and young people and contribute to thriving communities. Built upon three pillars, the partnership aims to create new opportunities for young people in their transition from school to independent and stable adulthood, strengthen climate resilience by empowering children and young people to become environmental stewards, and help provide access to vital emergency relief to those who need it most.    

In partnership with UNICEF Montenegro, the TUI Academy in Montenegro supports education and life skills development for young people across the country. Montenegro is undergoing important education and labor market reforms to address persistent youth unemployment, which is at 27%, and skills mismatches, with 45% of graduates reporting that their qualifications do not align with their job requirements. Despite these initiatives, the share of youth not in education, employment, or training remains at 20% compared to the 11% EU average.  TUI Academy Montenegro addresses these challenges by offering practical skills, career exploration, and support for the school-to-work transition. Through counselling, job placements, and employer engagement, adolescents gain the tools to make informed career choices and build long-term employability. These initiatives help bridge the gap between education and the labour market, reduce early school leaving, and promote inclusion, especially for those at risk of social and economic exclusion.

During the programme period, significant strides will be made in helping adolescents' transition from education to employment across Montenegro. A total of almost 2,000 secondary school students across 10 schools, including two vocational schools in tourism and hospitality, are receiving continuous support throughout the application, matching, job training placement. In addition, over 300 adolescents will benefit from individual career counselling, while more than 1,000 adolescents actively contribute to the creation of job descriptions.   

In Zimbabwe as response to the growing threats of climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss, the TUI Care Foundation and UNICEF have launched the TUI Junior Academy, part of a broader Clean Green Zimbabwe Initiative. The programme aims to equip children and youth with the knowledge and tools to build climate-resilient communities. Focusing on the rural provinces of Manicaland and Matebeleland South, the programme enables the training of at least 2,640 teachers in 240 schools and provides environmental education to approximately 81,000 students through competency-based school curriculum, as well as the strengthened environment clubs by 2026. These clubs will serve as platforms for students to collaborate on local climate solutions and promote sustainable practices. To deepen their connection with nature, students participate in excursions to areas of national environmental interest, inspiring them to become environmental stewards and change agents in their communities. The programme also encourages youth’s participation in national and international platforms, such as Climate Conferences and World Environment Day, giving them a voice in climate policy discussions.

UNICEF and the TUI Care Foundation are also closely collaborating to provide emergency relief for children and families affected by disasters such as earthquakes, pandemics, and conflicts. The TUI Care Foundation has supported UNICEF’s emergency efforts in critical situations including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Türkiye-Syria earthquake, and the war in Ukraine—helping to deliver life-saving aid and protection to the most vulnerable.

About the TUI Care Foundation

Building on the potential of tourism as a force for good, the TUI Care Foundation supports and initiates projects which create new opportunities and contribute to thriving communities in tourism destinations all over the world. Connecting holidaymakers to good causes, it supports education and training opportunities for young people; drives the protection of natural habitats and the marine environment; and helps local communities to thrive sustainably and benefit from tourism. The TUI Care Foundation builds on strong partnerships with local and international organisations to create meaningful and long-lasting impact. The independent charitable organisation was founded by TUI, one of the world's leading tourism businesses, and is based in the Netherlands.

About UNICEF

UNICEF the Netherlands is a Dutch foundation associated with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and aims to provide a better world for children worldwide through fundraising, education and advocacy.