Incredible Impacts Awards

The ICCA Incredible Impacts Programme is a global initiative founded by ICCA and BestCities Global Alliance to recognise and support international associations that use their meetings as catalysts for positive change. The programme highlights how association meetings can create lasting impact through knowledge sharing, education, inclusion, sustainability, policy engagement, community development and other initiatives that extend beyond the meeting itself.

International association meetings can do more than generate economic and tourism benefits. They can bring together experts, leaders and communities to address challenges, advance knowledge, build resilience and create lasting change. The Incredible Impacts Programme aims to showcase what is possible when impact and legacy are intentionally built into meeting strategies, while inspiring more associations to consider what their meetings can leave behind.

International associations can apply for or be nominated for an Incredible Impacts Grant. The programme offers two funding streams: the USD $20,000 Main Grant for initiatives that have already demonstrated impact, and the USD $5,000 Seed Fund Grant for associations developing a new impact initiative.

The right grant depends on the stage of your initiative.

• Main Grant – USD $20,000: For associations that can demonstrate the proven impact of an international meeting and want to expand or strengthen an established initiative.
• Seed Fund Grant – USD $5,000: For associations developing a new impact initiative and seeking funding to put their plans into practice.

As a general guide, the Main Grant is suited to initiatives with evidence of results, while the Seed Fund is designed for initiatives that are still being developed and do not yet have demonstrated results.

Impact can take many forms. Examples include:

• Knowledge and skills transfer, including initiatives supporting developing countries or disadvantaged groups
• Access and inclusion, broadening opportunities to participate in international meetings
• Public awareness, raising awareness of environmental, healthcare or societal issues and solutions
• Policy engagement, bringing important issues and potential solutions to policymakers
• Education and outreach, sharing knowledge with schools, universities or communities in the host destination
• Developing future leaders, creating opportunities for emerging leaders within an association or wider community
• Lasting local impact, including charitable programmes, investment, research and development, or scholarships in the host destination

This list is not exhaustive. Initiatives demonstrating other forms of meaningful impact may also be considered if they support the broader objectives of the Incredible Impacts Programme.

The Seed Fund Grant is intended for associations developing a new impact initiative connected to an international meeting. Applicants should be able to explain:

• What their proposed initiative is
• The change they want the initiative to achieve
• How the initiative will create impact through their international meeting
• How the USD $5,000 funding would support delivery of the initiative
• How they intend to measure progress and impact over time

Applicants do not need to have demonstrated results yet. However, they should have a clear idea of the change they want to achieve and how they will assess whether the initiative is making a difference.

The Main Grant is intended for associations that have already demonstrated the positive impact of their meetings. Applicants should be able to provide evidence showing what their initiative has achieved.

If shortlisted, applicants are asked to provide additional information covering:

• The objective of the initiative
• How the initiative works and who is involved
• Creative or innovative elements
• Evidence of impact and success
• Participant or stakeholder testimonials
• A business case explaining how the USD $20,000 grant would be used to expand or enhance the initiative

A strong application clearly connects the international association meeting with the impact being created. For the Main Grant, applicants should go beyond describing an intention to make a difference and demonstrate what has actually been achieved through evidence such as measurable outcomes, feedback, testimonials or other indicators of progress.

For the Seed Fund Grant, the emphasis is on having a compelling and realistic plan. Applicants should clearly articulate the change they want to create, why the initiative matters, how the meeting will contribute to that change and how the funding will help turn the idea into action.

The Main Grant selection takes place in stages. Associations first submit an initial application outlining their initiative and its impact. Shortlisted applicants are then invited to provide further detail and supporting evidence.

Three finalists are selected to present their impact stories at the ICCA Congress. ICCA covers the Congress registration fee, travel and accommodation costs for one representative per finalist. Following the presentations, the winner is selected by audience vote and receives the USD $20,000 Main Grant.

Associations submit an application outlining their proposed initiative, the change they aim to achieve and how the funding would support its delivery. Applications are reviewed and one association is selected to receive the USD $5,000 Seed Fund Grant.

The winner is recognised during the Incredible Impacts Programme session at the ICCA Congress.

Yes. ICCA members may nominate up to three associations for the Main Grant and up to three associations for the Seed Fund Grant. Nominated associations should meet the relevant requirements for the grant they are being considered for.

No. The impact categories provided by the programme are examples rather than an exhaustive list. Applications demonstrating other forms of impact can also be considered, provided the initiative supports the broader objectives of the Incredible Impacts Programme.

Main Grant applicants should demonstrate the results their initiative has achieved. Useful evidence can include measurable outcomes, participant or community feedback, stakeholder testimonials and other indicators of progress or success.

The strongest applications make the connection between the meeting, the initiative and the resulting impact clear, while demonstrating why the impact is meaningful and how the grant would help take the initiative further.

No. The Seed Fund Grant is specifically designed for associations developing a new impact initiative, so applicants are not expected to have demonstrated results yet.

Instead, applicants should demonstrate that they have a clear plan for the change they want to achieve, how their meeting will contribute to that change and how they will measure progress and impact over time.

Shortlisted associations are invited to provide more detailed information and supporting evidence about their initiative. Three finalists are then selected to present their impact stories at the ICCA Congress.

Each finalist receives Congress registration, travel and accommodation for one representative, covered by ICCA. The Main Grant winner is selected through an audience vote following the finalist presentations.

Application deadlines are set for each programme year. For 2026, applications for both the Main Grant and Seed Fund Grant closed on 2 June 2026. Applicants should check the latest official programme information for future application periods, deadlines and requirements.

The grants are intended to help associations either develop a new impact initiative or expand and strengthen proven impact. Seed Fund applicants should explain how the USD $5,000 will help put their proposed initiative into practice, while Main Grant applicants should provide a business case showing how the USD $20,000 will be used to expand or enhance an established initiative.

The programme provides more than financial support. It gives associations an opportunity to demonstrate the wider value of their international meetings, share their impact story with the global meetings community and inspire others to build impact and legacy into their meeting strategies.

For associations with proven results, the Main Grant can provide funding to take an established initiative further. For associations with a new idea, the Seed Fund can help turn an impact ambition into action.