About Innovate for GMC Challenge
The Innovate for GMC Challenge is a flagship innovation program under the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), envisioned by His Majesty The King. It brings together Bhutan’s brightest young minds to co-create transformative solutions in governance, technology, wellbeing, and sustainability.
Background & Rationale
Gelephu Mindfulness City is not just an economic hub, it is a vision of Bhutan’s future: values-led, innovative, and globally relevant. Innovate for GMC was created to infuse this vision with the energy and creativity of young Bhutanese. By engaging in real problem-solving, participants gain experience in design thinking, systems analysis, and innovation across sectors.
Program Objectives
Cultivate a culture of civic innovation led by youth
Develop context-sensitive solutions for GMC systems
Empower youth with practical skills for leadership
Build a pool of changemakers for Bhutan
Program Structure
Innovation Units
Youth work in small, diverse teams tackling real-world challenges.
Seed Funding
Selected teams receive seed funding to prototype and test solutions.
Mentorship
Guidance from experts in government, industry, and academia.
Workshops
Capacity-building in design thinking, systems mapping, and policy.
Final Outputs
Prototypes, policy memos, and presentations at Demo Day.
Recognition & Follow-Through
Certificates & recommendation letters
Every participant receives formal recognition of their contributions and performance.
Pilot funding for top solutions
Selected teams receive seed funding to take their prototypes or policies into pilot phase.
Alumni pathways through Innovate for GMC Fellowships & internships
Graduates join a network of changemakers, with access to fellowships and internships for long-term growth.
Join the Movement
Take the first step towards shaping Bhutan’s mindful future. Apply today and help transform GMC into a hub of civic innovation, culture, and sustainability.