Social & Cultural
Strengthening GMC’s social fabric and cultural identity through heritage, wellbeing, and inclusive community engagement.
Why Social & Cultural Matters
Emphasizes safeguarding Bhutan’s heritage while adapting it to a modern urban context. This thematic area highlights socio-cultural aspects to promote a community that is culturally vibrant, mindful and socially cohesive. Participants will explore initiatives to preserve oral histories, folklore, and traditional practices while fostering contemporary expressions of art, music, and film as vehicles of identity. Strategies to engage youth, promote intergenerational knowledge exchange, and ensure inclusive accessibility to such a community shall be developed at the end of the challenge. Innovative ideas to create new cultural festivals and cuisine hubs, creative placemaking projects, and recreational activities which promote gender equity and mindset change initiatives ensure social progress are encouraged. This challenge area creates opportunities for Bhutanese youth to develop innovative solutions that blend tradition, innovation, and sustainability for the future of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Community & Wellbeing
- Peer-led health campaigns and youth-driven mental health programs
- Hybrid classrooms for inclusive education
- Accessibility solutions for elderly and differently abled citizens
Culture & Identity
- Preserving and showcasing oral histories, folklore, and heritage
- Creating new cultural festivals or rituals unique to GMC (rooted in GNH)
- Exploring Bhutanese art, film, and music as vehicles for identity
Urban & Social Innovation
- Gender equity in urban spaces (safety, opportunity, representation)
- Youth sports, recreation, and wellness programs (tourism-linked)
- Creative placemaking projects: murals, performances, installations
- Content creation for GMC’s social media presence
- Affordable housing with strong social-cultural relevance
Ready to make an impact?
Pick your challenge area and start your journey with Innovate for GMC.