Impact report 2025

IMPACT REPORT

2025 World Challenge Impact Report 2025

ANNUAL

IMPACT REPORT

2025

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

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4,490 PARTICIPANTS 21 DESTINATIONS 6 CONTINENTS

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ur 2025 Impact Report looks back on trips that took place in 2024, sharing insights into the development of our students, how we contributed and collaborated with our global initiative partners, the emissions generated by our operations and the development of our staff team.

In 2024, 4,490 participants travelled with us to 21 destinations across 6 continents, supported by our teams in Beaconsfield, Melbourne , Cape Town and Bangalore, as well as our Ground Teams around the world. It’s always a pleasure to look back on the year, taking stock of the various ways our trips contributed to the delivery of our educational outcomes, and contributed to driving positive change across our global community.

This report will identify key achievements and tracking against our three impact objectives, as described below, as well as introducing some of the achievements from within our team this year, too.

1.

The success of our programme and trips in delivering our educational outcomes, and the impact this has on travellers’ personal development.

2.

The impact of our community initiatives with regards to engaging students on important global issues, and supporting local communities to further their goals.

3.

The size of our carbon footprint, how it has been mitigated though offsetting and reforestation programmes, and how we’re progressing towards our reduction targets.

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T N E D sTU T C A P IM

DELIVERING OUR EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES World Challenge Impact Report 2025

In 2024 we worked with our pool of leaders around the world to seek opportunities to enhance students’ learning and development on trips through structured review and reflection activities. All travelling leaders were invited to training sessions and provided with a handbook to aid the development of their skills in this field. Alongside our suite of pre-departure modules that students can access in the build-up to their departure, this helps us to deliver our desired educational outcomes, across the three pillars of Personal Growth, Global Citizenship and Wellbeing, outlined on the following pages.

THREE PILLARS

PERSONAL GROWTH GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP WELLBEING

Students will gain a greater understanding of how to act for a more sustainable future, at both local and global levels.

Students will be empowered to build on their self-care strategies, enhancing their physical and mental wellbeing.

Students will be immersed in different cultures and experiences, growing to understand their role within our global community.

Students will experience and reflect on the power of being pushed outside of their comfort zone, allowing the development of initiative, confidence, and resilience.

Students will be challenged to think critically about topical issues that affect our past, present and future around the world.

Students will build a deeper connection to their own identity & personal values, developing their independence and sense of self.

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MEASURING SUCCESS We asked our students to report on their own development on the trip, and they provided us with insights as to how they felt the experiences they had matched the intended educational outcomes, as well as the learnings that they will take forward with them into the future. The latter showcases the lasting impact that results from the students travelling on a World Challenge trip – identifying ways that the learning and development undertaken will continue to create positive change in the months and years to follow.

PERSONAL GROWTH

99%

OF STUDENTS...

RETURNING HOME

DEVELOPED LEADERSHIP SKILLS ON THEIR TRIP. STEPPED OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE ON THEIR TRIP. USED INITIATIVE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS WHILST TRAVELLING.

89%

of students will challenge themselves to try more new things.

72%

of students returned home more confident.

70%

of students returned home more resilient.

0%

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

100%

“I HAVE LEARNED THAT I CAN BE INDEPENDENT AND HANDLE CHALLENGING SITUATIONS AND THAT I CAN GENUINELY DO ANYTHING I PUT MY MIND TO.” MILA – STUDENT

“I GAINED MORE CONFIDENCE IN MYSELF, IN TRAVELLING IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND IN PUTTING MYSELF INTO UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATIONS THAT I NORMALLY WOULDN’T. IT HAS LED ME TO TRY NEW THINGS AND VIEW SITUATIONS FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.” NEVE – STUDENT

“I HAVE BECOME MORE CONFIDENT AND SELF-ASSURED. AS A RESULT, I WILL BE MORE LIKELY TO FIND MAKING NEW FRIENDS EASIER AND I WILL BE MORE LIKELY TO TRY NEW ACTIVITIES.” MARTIN – STUDENT 7 7

MEASURING SUCCESS

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

98%

OF STUDENTS TOOK ACTION TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE WHILST TRAVELLING WITH US.

RETURNING HOME

72%

of students will increase efforts to protect nature and the environment.

68%

of students will look for sustainable ways to travel in the future.

65%

of students will reduce their plastic waste.

0%

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

100%

“WE DID CONSERVATION WORK, WHICH HAS INSPIRED ME TO TRY AND FEED MY PASSION TO BECOME A MARINE BIOLOGIST, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I’VE GAINED SO MANY GOOD FRIENDS ALONG THE WAY.” JAYNIE – STUDENT

“I HAVE LEARNED TO SEE HOW BIG THE WORLD IS. THIS HAS MADE ME ASK MYSELF HOW I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE?” WILIAM – STUDENT 9 9

MEASURING SUCCESS

WELLBEING

96%

OF STUDENTS USED SELF-CARE STRATEGIES TO MAINTAIN THEIR WELLBEING WHILST TRAVELLING WITH US.

RETURNING HOME 73%

of students will continue to use and develop strategies to maintain their wellbeing.

0%

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

100%

“I HAVE RETURNED FROM MY EXPEDITION FEELING LIKE A VERY DIFFERENT PERSON TO THE GIRL WHO I WAS AT THE START, I FEEL MORE MATURE AND HAPPIER IN LIFE AND I CAN NOW SAY THAT I WILL CONSTANTLY BE PUTTING MYSELF OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE.” ANNA – STUDENT

“I HAVE STRENGTHENED MY ABILITY TO ADAPT TO NEW AND CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS WHICH IN TURN HAS MADE ME FEEL MORE CONFIDENT.”

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EMPOWERING LEADERS TO EMPOWER STUDENTS

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In 2025 we will further expand the training resources available to leaders to provide them with additional tools to enhance learning and development for students on the trip. We will also provide training sessions to bring these materials to life.

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OLIVIA – STUDENT

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MEASURING SUCCESS

WHAT OUR LEADERS SAID We also ask our Expedition Leaders to feedback on the growth and development of the students that travelled with them in 2024.

Here are the results: 1%

PERSONAL GROWTH Did students demonstrate recognition of learning through reflection on experiences outside of their comfort zone?

63%

2%

63%

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP 50%

36%

WELLBEING

Did students demonstrate consideration of responsible travel in their decision making on trip?

Did students demonstrate that they were comfortable using self-care strategies on the trip?

48%

Often

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

Sometimes

Not at all

35%

85%

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COMMUNITY INITIATIVES In 2024 we visited 60 of our initiative partners around the world, including 36 community and 24 conservation programmes.

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COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

INITIATIVES

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CONSERVATION PROGRAMMES

The impact of the initiatives we visited spans 10 SDGs.

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

15,152

1,347

contributing, collaborating, and learning with our network of global initiatives.

took part in nature-based initiatives in 2024.

Participants spent a total of

DAYS

PARTICIPANTS

THE IMPACT OF THE INITIATIVES WE VISITED SPANS

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Photo by Alex Frood on Expedition in Borneo

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World Challenge Impact Report 2025

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SOME OF OUR KEY ACHIEVEMENTS 17 17

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In 2024, we launched the WORLD CHALLENGE IMPACT AWARDS to recognise initiative partners who are making a lasting difference in their communities while creating meaningful, educational experiences for our student teams. These awards celebrate partners who demonstrate a commitment to local impact, continuous improvement, and transparent reporting.

This year, we were proud to present eight awards to outstanding partners across five countries:

4 Partners in

1 Partner in

VIETNAM

BORNEO

for significant improvements to community infrastructure - including road repairs, solar streetlights and shared spaces - that enhance daily life and safety for residents, while providing teams with structured, purposeful work.

for offering full cultural immersion and involving students in the reconstruction of a community longhouse, supporting both cultural preservation and reparation efforts.

1 Partner in

MOROCCO

for close collaboration on school renovation projects that improved learning environments and demonstrated the power of teamwork.

1 Partner in

1 Partner in

PERU

TANZANIA

for maintaining vital agroforestry systems that support long-term food security and livelihoods, while sharing deep ecological knowledge through practical, team-led activities.

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

for delivering infrastructure improvements where they’re needed most - enhancing schools in ways that directly benefit local children.

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In 2025 we will host a series of optional training sessions for initiative partners, focusing on key areas to enhance collaboration and impact. We will also develop additional resources to help partners build capacity and drive long-term success.

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SOLAR LIGHTS

World Challenge Impact Report 2023

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IMPACT STORIES VIETNAM

In Vietnam, teams collaborated with our partner to install over 150 solar lights, bringing safer and more accessible lighting to a rural village.

BORNEO

In Borneo, teams contributed to the completion of a school hostel, expanding access to education by enabling students from a wider area to attend.

PERU

In Peru, teams planted saplings that will be used by local women to produce medicinal ointments. This initiative provides an essential income stream, empowers women and supports their livelihoods.

ESWATINI

In eSwatini, teams supported the construction of a new clinic at a Neighbourhood Care Point (NCP). This vital addition strengthens the centre’s ability to provide care and resources to the local community.

TURTLE CONSERVATION

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In 2025 we plan to incorporate more social enterprises into World Challenge itineraries as “Impact Experiences” and meaningful R&R options, enriching teams’ experiences whilst also supporting local communities.

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EXPAND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ENGAGEMENT

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Our teams spent time with five turtle conservation initiatives, learning about and actively supporting efforts to protect endangered marine life and their habitats.

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ENGE

CLIMATE ACTION To find out more about how we’re working to reduce and mitigate against our impact on the climate crisis, read our CLIMATE ACTION PLAN. We’re committed to transparently reporting our carbon emissions, which we began tracking and measuring in 2021. To benchmark our progress, we use 2019 (our last ‘normal’ year of operation) as a baseline against which we measure progress.

Our Carbon Footprint in

2019 Offices & Staff 0.009 TONNES

Trips 0.19 TONNES

Passengers

8,675

Emissions per person Customer flights 2.85 TONNES

3.16 tonnes

Total

27,447 TONNES of emissions

Per passenger This metric allows us to compare our annual emissions without the totals being swayed by the number of travellers we take overseas, so we can compare future years to the baseline more accurately.

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

Customer flights Trips Office and staff

READ OUR CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

2023 Trips 0.4 TONNES

Offices & Staff 0.07 TONNES

2024 Trips 0.41 TONNES

Passengers

Passengers

3,225

4,490

Emissions per person Customer flights 3.87 TONNES

4.34 tonnes

Offices & Staff 0.06 TONNES

Emissions per person Customer flights 3.18 TONNES

Total

13,992 TONNES of emissions

3.66 tonnes

Total

16,425 TONNES of emissions

WHY OUR 2023 FOOTPRINT HAS CHANGED Those of you with a keen eye may notice some changes to the numbers from last year’s report. We’ve rectified a calculation error that was highlighted after publication. We’re committed to transparent reporting, so wanted to right this in 2024’s report!

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OUR FOOTPRINT IN 2024 From 2023 to 2024, our emissions per passenger have reduced from 4.34 to 3.66 tonnes per traveller. This intensity measure shows that despite the increase in volume of travellers year-on-year, we are still successfully moving towards our target of halving emissions from 2019-2028. That said, we are still sitting slightly higher than

our baseline of 3.16 tonnes per traveller in 2019. This has likely been impacted by changes to the way we calculate our footprint, and the increase in the emissions factor for flights that has occurred since 2019 was calculated – meaning the amount of emissions attributed to flights is higher now than it was then.

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Emissions per person decreased

OFFICE AND STAFF EMISSIONS Emissions in this area have decreased from 0.07 to 0.06 per person from 2023 to 2024. While the emissions generated by those aspects of our operation are quite similar year-on-year, they are balanced by higher volumes of travellers. They remain significantly lower than 2019, due to the changes we have made to our offices and style of operations since then.

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

OUR TRIP EMISSIONS

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We will continue to review the itineraries we operate, identifying opportunities to reduce the footprint of each one, where we can.

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This figure remains much higher than the 2019 baseline, likely due to the changes in our calculation methodology which were implemented in 2023 – more accurately measuring meals provided on the trips. We will continue to assess whether recalculating data from previous years is necessary to ensure the most accurate tracking of our progress.

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Trip emissions per passenger are largely level from 2023 to 2024 – a 0.01 tonne per person increase likely reflects the implementation of an internal flight on all Nepal trips which is required to allow safe passage across the destination where concerns around road travel safety are significant.

This increase has been mitigated by more accurate measurement of different types of accommodation which has allowed us to report better on the emissions of community hosted, teahouse and camping nights.

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World Challenge Impact Report 2025 World Challenge Impact Report 2023

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Our flight emissions down

17% in 2024

OUR FLIGHT EMISSIONS Our flight emissions are 17% lower in 2024 than they were in 2023. This is, however, still 11% higher than our 2019 baseline. The decrease seen this year can largely be attributed to better availability of more efficient flight routes. In the years since the pandemic there has been a gradual re-opening of flight paths with different airlines. As this availability has increased, it has been easier to select more efficient routes for groups travelling.

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We will continue to monitor changes in the aviation industry and seek ways to select optimum flight routes and airlines to create emissions reductions in this area, where viable.

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The emissions factor used to calculate the emissions of the flights used in 2024 is higher than that in 2019. The factor changes year to year as occupancy and general efficiency of air travel changes, and is therefore not something within our control – simply, air travel in 2024 is more carbon intensive than it was in 2019.

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MITIGATION AND REGENERATION In 2024 we focused our contributions to mitigating the negative impact of our trips on the environment to nature-based solutions.

In collaboration with Eden:People + Planet we funded the regeneration of 40 hectares of land in Chimanimani, Mozambique.

Chimanimani is a biodiversity hotspot – home to at least 78 endemic plant species, and threequarters of Mozambique’s Afromontane Forest cover. This mountainous region also contains significant spiritual and cultural sites which preserve the heritage of the country. The area has lost almost 40,000 hectares of tree cover since the year 2000, and the project supported aims to restore the land, whilst also providing resident communities with sustainable livelihoods to prevent further degradation. By restoring the land, the project will increase carbon storage absorbing harmful greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and protect the habitats of resident wildlife, strengthening overall biodiversity.

The project is carefully monitored and managed

by Eden Reforestation to ensure it is protected long-term, collaboration with the community in Chimanimani further bolstering this.

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

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World Challenge is part of the Travelopia group, who have an ongoing partnership with the Blue Marine Foundation to support marine conservation around the world.

Since the start of the partnership, a lot has been achieved through

7 GLOBAL BLUE CARBON PROJECTS

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60,000

200+

HECTARES OF BLUE CARBON HABITAT HAVE BEEN RESTORED.

MANGROVE AND SEAGRASS SEEDLINGS HAVE BEEN PLANTED.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN UPSKILLED AND ENGAGED IN MARINE RESTORATION.

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TEAM TRAVEL 2024

E L P O E P OUR

Our team continues to expand in order to support the growing numbers of young people travelling with us each year. Our people play a crucial role in ensuring that our travellers are supported, prepared and safe, and contribute to the creation of the positive impact outlined in this report.

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LOS ANGELES

In 2024 thirteen members of the team travelled internationally.

EXPEDITIONS 8 members of the team headed out on expeditions to Malawi, Borneo, Vietnam, eSwatini, Norway and Croatia, to experience the impact and adventure first-hand.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES 6 members of the team visited international conferences including ITB Berlin, International Pow-wow in Los Angeles, WTM London, and the World Youth Student Travel Conference in Lisbon where World Challenge were a finalist for the Best Sustainable Tour Operator Award.

GROUND TEAM RECCES Two members of the team headed out to meet our new Ground Team in Slovenia.

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

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NORWAY LONDON

LISBON

BERLIN SLOVENIA CROATIA VIETNAM BORNEO MALAWI ESWATINI

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“My trip to Borneo was fantastic, and it’s something that I think about almost daily. It was such an honour to experience the expedition through the eyes of our students, and to share in every moment with them. I had thought I’d simply be accompanying them on the trip, but it ended up having a profound impact on me as well. I loved learning about life in Borneo when living with a local family, and about the jungle and all the species that call it home during our trek.

This trip also gave me the opportunity to meet the team in Borneo that I work with every day, allowing me to strengthen our relationship further.

Quite simply, it was an amazing two weeks, and I’ll never forget the incredible moment we saw pygmy elephants in the wild.”

EMILY, PRODUCT MANAGER, WORLD CHALLENGE

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

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World Challenge Impact Report 2025

NORWAY “Joining the team in Norway pushed me out of my comfort zone, giving me the kind of experience we aim for our travellers to have. I did things I didn’t think I would ever find the confidence to try, and it was so enlightening to put myself in the students boots. I came back feeling energised and confident.”

LIZ, PRODUCT & SUSTAINABILITY TEAM MANAGER, WORLD CHALLENGE

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CHARITY AND GIVING In 2024 several members of the team took advantage of the opportunity to use their volunteering days, here’s what a few of them got up to:

LIZ Liz helped facilitate youth activity days with the Youth Adventure Trust.

EMILIE Emilie assisted with tree planting in Scotland.

EMMA

Emma helped with the weekly harvest at the Oxford City Farm.

LUCIE

Lucie supported her local foodbank.

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

FUNDRAISING MARCH CHARGE 25KM Chris, Denise, Nat, Sam and Kairi raised AUS $3,296 for The Cancer Council of Australia by participating in the March Charge 35km walk.

COASTREK AUS $ 1,489 was raised by Issy, Nat and Caity for the Heart Foundation in Australia through the Coastrek event.

LIFESAVING VICTORIA Troy raised AUS $400 for Lifesaving Victoria.

BAKE OFF Both the Melbourne and Buckinghamshire offices fundraised for organisations providing adventurous activities to disadvantaged youth in their respective countries through office bake off competitions.

Donations were made to the Youth Adventure Trust in the UK and Stewart House in Australia.

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T N E M P O L E V E D L A N O S R E P Mental health first aid training

Situational Leadership course

was completed by Denise Clery, Chris Sharman and Zak Kennedy.

ILM Level 3 Leadership and Management Irshaad, Chelle and Holly completed ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management.

Caity completed a Situational Leadership course.

‘Diffuser’ training

Lucie, Pippa and Vicky attended ‘Diffuser’ training which is about dealing with difficult emotions in the wake of an incident.

Insights training

The UK and Melbourne Ops teams each participated in an extensive incident simulation.

First aid training

Zoe and Ella both completed first aid training.

21 members of the UK team had Insights training.

Secondment to Australian office

Vicky headed off on secondment from the UK to the Melbourne office.

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

Global incident simulation

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As we move into 2025, we continue to seek opportunities to expand the positive impact that our trips can have, both on the young people who travel with us, and the destinations we travel to.

OUR KEY GOALS INCLUDE Build relationships with social enterprises in our destinations to add positive impact experiences to itineraries, supporting those organisations and giving students additional opportunities to engage with meaningful experiences.

Seeking opportunities to reduce our emissions through adaptations to the itineraries we run such as lower-emission transport and accommodation, and more efficient overland journeys.

Continue to build our network of community and conservation partners around the world to expand our impact through collaboration with them.

Identify opportunities to further enhance the learning and development of young people through our training and pre-departure programme.

World Challenge Impact Report 2025

Encourage staff to participate in volunteering and fundraising activities, and provide them with opportunities to travel, learn and develop.

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THANK YOU

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