The TCS goIT Responsible Tech Challenge is designed to enable young people aged 18–30 years across Europe and the UK who are building tech-driven solutions to transform society.
€10,000 GRANT FUNDING AWARD PLUS CTO MENTORING!
Restoring Nature Through Responsible Technology
Nature is in crisis. One million species face extinction. Ecosystems that humanity depends on – from pollinators that sustain our food systems to wetlands that filter our water – are degrading at a rate unprecedented in human history. Europe has lost over 80% of its wetland habitats and continues to see dramatic declines in insect populations, bird species and soil health.
Climate change is accelerating this collapse, and biodiversity loss in turn accelerates climate change, creating a devastating feedback loop. Yet emerging technologies offer extraordinary new possibilities for understanding, protecting and restoring the natural world. The window for action is narrowing. Incremental change is no longer enough.
From AI-powered species monitoring to blockchain-verified supply chains that prevent deforestation, responsible technology can become a powerful force for ecological recovery.
Responsible Tech for
nature & biodiversity
The TCS goIT Responsible Tech Challenge is designed to accelerate innovative youth-led solutions that harness technology in a responsible way to protect, restore and regenerate nature and biodiversity. We’re particularly interested in projects that use AI, IoT, data analytics, blockchain and other emerging technologies to:
1) Track and understand ecosystems- Helping us monitor biodiversity, map habitats and detect environmental change.2) Transform food and land use - Making agriculture, forestry and land management work with nature, not against it.3) Protect oceans, rivers and freshwater - Safeguarding marine and aquatic ecosystems.4) Green our cities - Increasing biodiversity in urban environments where most people live.5) Empower people to protect nature - Giving communities, consumers and decision-makers the tools to take action.
We want to see sustainable, scalable solutions that demonstrate the responsible use of technology – considering ethics, privacy, equity, and unintended consequences alongside innovation potential.
2026 SUBMISSIONS OPEN!
WHY ME, WHY NOW?
1) GRANT FUNDING AWARD
One grant funding award of €10,000 is available in this category.
2) FREE FOUNDER SUPPORT
Admission to TCS’s goIT Innovation Incubator and access to TCS Pace co-innovation ecosystem.
3) YOUR OPPORTUNITIES
Your journey with us doesn’t end with the competition. As you progress, you’ll unlock incremental access to opportunities including paid work, fellowships, networking and learning experiences!
The Sustainable
Development Goals
To enter the Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge your idea must contribute to at least one of the United Nations’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “shared blueprint” for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
SDG 12 is all about taking action to ensure responsible consumption and production patterns. You can find more information here on the UN’s SDG website.
Responsible Consumption & Production
MEET OUR
IMPACT FOUNDERS!
"I've always been a believer that the fashion industry should be doing more to make clothing inclusive for all. I have designed the range in six colours and in a variety of sizes as I aim to make it as accessible for as many people as possible."
KAT POHORECKA | 22 | SCOTLAND
Kat is a young fashion designer pushing for equality
and inclusivity in the fashion industries.
Your 2026 Challenge Journey
From 18th May
Register Early and Access our Live Launch Event!
1ST JUNE
Submissions Open
JULY
Get your submissions in!
AUG 31ST
Submission Deadline 5pm UTC
SEPT
Submission Scoring Begins
OCT
Ends
OCT
Finalist Founders Announcement
OCT
Finalist Pitch Coaching Begins
NOV
FINALS! Pitching Begins
DEC
Winning Projects Announced
AM I ELIGIBLE?
The TCS goIT Responsible Tech Challenge is designed to give young impact founders in Europe and the UK a platform; providing grant funding awards, connection to a global community of high performing young leaders, and exclusive exposure through some of the worlds biggest brands.
To be eligible for this award your social startup must be:
100% YOUTH-LED – Founders leading the startup or project must be between 18 and 30 years old and have clear decision making authority.
IMPACT FOCUSED – Startups and projects must address a clearly defined social or environmental issue and must already be delivering some measurable social outputs and impact.
Technology-driven – solutions should use AI, blockchain, data analytics, IoT and other emerging tech as part of the solution.
Tata Consultancy Services’ goIT (go Innovate Together) is a global digital innovation and career readiness program that has empowered over 350,000 young people across 51 countries to develop future-ready skills and create tech-for-good solutions.
ABOUT SOCIAL SHIFTERS
We exist to support the next generation of leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs – young people everywhere taking action on the social and environmental issues that matter to them most.
We operate on a non-profit basis to provide unique learning experiences, guidance and grant funding for young impact founders.
Learn more about Social Shifters.
