SOUTH AFRICAN nniChat RECOGNISED BY BMW Group AND UNAOC

South African borne organisation, no-name initiative (nni) has been honoured for its digital platform promoting dialogue on xenophobia and inclusion. It is one of ten recipient organisations of the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH), a joint initiative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the BMW Group, supported by Accenture.

The organisation was recognised during the IIH Ceremony held on 3 November in Milan, Italy. The ten recipient organisations emerged from more than 1,400 applications worldwide. nni's recognition continues a strong South African presence in the programme. In 2023, the South African organisation Oasis “Reach For Your Dreams” was also recognised through the Intercultural Innovation Hub.

nniChat App advances dialogue on xenophobia and inclusion

Cape Town based, The no-name initiative was selected for its project, “nniChat App Dialogues for an Inclusive Society: Youth on Xenophobia and Inclusion”, which uses digital technology to create safe spaces for dialogue on sensitive issues such as xenophobia. The platform enables participants to share perspectives, strengthen mutual understanding and develop collaborative solutions that promote inclusion and social cohesion. The project focuses on young people aged 16 to 35. The support from the Intercultural Innovation Hub will contribute to further refining the application, piloting its use and expanding its reach through partner organisations and facilitators.

“When it is safe enough to open ourselves to multiple truths and lived experience, we loosen our grip on having to be right. We can hear the other and face our collective pain. We shift. We heal. We ignite. nniDialogue reminds us that we are a system and therefore we can heal a system.”, Jonelle Naudé, Founder and Chairperson, no-name initiative.

Funding and mentoring to scale the no-name initiative

Through the Intercultural Innovation Hub, the no-name initiative will gain access to funding, international networks, a comprehensive twelve-month capacity-building programme and professional mentoring from experts from the BMW Group, UNAOC and Accenture. The aim is to help the organisation strengthen and scale its innovative approach to dialogue and inclusion. The programme combines financial support of up to 20,000 USD with capacity building and international networking opportunities.

15 years of intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding

In 2026, the Intercultural Innovation Hub celebrates the 15th anniversary of the partnership between the BMW Group and UNAOC. Guided by the motto “Connect. Empower. Elevate.”, the programme brings grassroots organisations into a global network, equips them with funding and expertise, and helps them expand proven approaches to intercultural dialogue and social cohesion. Since its launch in 2011, the programme has supported more than 100 organisations worldwide, reaching over seven million people. This year, ten organisations from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America were selected as recipients of the programme. The 2026cohort is scheduled to begin in November 2026.

About no-name initiative (nni) Facilitating dialogues in South Africa since 2013, the no-name initiative is a Cape Town based organisation that aims to foster healing and transformation through powerful public dialogue, by creating spaces that navigate diversity and inequality. With teams across the world, the organisation facilitates dialogue on some of the most contentious issues facing society, locally and globally.

To learn more about the Intercultural Innovation Hub, the 2026 recipients, and to view dedicated video profiles for each NGO, including nni, please visit the Intercultural Innovation Hub website.