TUI Futureshaper House Cabo Verde
Tourism is a vital force in Cabo Verde, especially on the island of Sal where visitor arrivals continue to rise each year. Yet despite this growth, many young people, entrepreneurs and community organisations on the island struggle to access the resources, training and support networks needed to fully take part in the opportunities created by the sector. Gaps in practical skills, limited access to digital tools, and a lack of collaborative spaces make it difficult for emerging entrepreneurs and community groups to develop their ideas and connect with the wider tourism economy.
The TUI Futureshaper House in Sal was created to respond to these challenges. As a dedicated community innovation space, it provides training, mentorship, workspace, and a hub for collaboration for young people, small businesses and local organisations. It also helps to link residents, tourism partners and institutions, ensuring that local talent can participate in the island’s rapidly evolving visitor economy.
The TUI Futureshaper House strengthens Sal’s local ecosystem so that tourism growth creates more inclusive opportunities and contributes to the wellbeing and resilience of the whole community.
Tourism accounts for a significant share of Cabo Verde’s national income, but its benefits do not always reach the young people, entrepreneurs and community organisations who play an essential role in shaping local life. On Sal, the sector is dynamic yet highly concentrated, and many residents lack access to the tools, networks and practical support needed to participate in a meaningful way. The TUI Futureshaper House was designed to close this gap by serving as a central point where skills development, collaboration and innovation can thrive.
The TUI Futureshaper House operates as an accessible space where young people can take part in training programmes that build confidence and develop entrepreneurial and employability skills. Since it opened, over 200 young people have joined workshops on idea generation, business planning, digital skills, sustainability and leadership. These sessions blend practical knowledge with hands-on learning, helping participants transform creative ideas into viable initiatives. The Futureshaper House also hosts innovation challenges and small hackathons, offering young residents opportunities to test their ideas, pitch solutions and learn from mentors and local professionals.
Alongside youth development, the space also plays a central role in strengthening the capabilities of micro and small enterprises. Local entrepreneurs have access to training and tailored support in areas such as digital transformation, financial management, marketing and product development. Regular guidance sessions help businesses establish a strong foundation for growth, while networking activities create pathways to engage more effectively with hotels, tour operators and the broader tourism value chain. By placing these interactions under one roof, the TUI Futureshaper House actively encourages collaboration and shared learning among enterprises that might otherwise work in isolation.
In addition to these support programmes, the TUI Futureshaper House also hosts community events such as exhibitions showcasing the work of local artists and artisans, music events and other cultural gatherings. Around 30 events at the venue are planned for 2026.
Project Partner
Target 8.9 is a global development agency initiated by TUI Care Foundation. It is dedicated to mobilising both non-financial and financial resources to create meaningful and sustainable impacts in local tourism destinations, aligned with target 8.9 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This specific objective within the SDGs aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, with an emphasis on the tourism sector and highlighting local culture and products. Target 8.9’s primary focus is on fostering inclusive economic opportunities and social development, with a strong emphasis on conservation and landscape restoration.
