Deadline: 30-Jun-25
Nominations are now being accepted for the prestigious World Summit Awards (WSA), which recognize and promote local digital innovation that contributes meaningfully to societal development.
Rather than offering financial prizes, WSA focuses on sustainable knowledge exchange and long-term collaboration through a robust global network.
Winners are integrated into a lifelong partnership, benefiting from mentorship, visibility, and global engagement.
The WSA includes several award categories that reflect the diverse areas where digital innovation can drive impact.
These categories are: Government & Citizen Engagement, Health & Wellbeing, Learning & Education, Environment & Green Energy, Culture & Heritage, Smart Settlements & Urbanization, Business & Commerce, and Inclusion & Empowerment.
Additionally, the Young Innovators Award category specifically supports impactful projects led by youth.
Winners of the WSA gain access to global recognition, expert mentorship, and direct networking with industry leaders from over 180 countries.
They also receive an invitation to the WSA Global Congress, where they can participate in pitching sessions before an international audience, attend specially designed workshops, and join the award ceremony.
Accommodation and meals are provided for the duration of the event for on-site participants.
Nominees benefit from increased media coverage, thanks to press templates and support from national WSA experts. They receive a nominee seal to use across platforms and may gain valuable feedback from the jury. Being nominated signifies that the project is one of the best in its country within its category—an achievement that can significantly boost visibility and outreach.
To be eligible, individuals, companies, or organizations from any UN or UNESCO member state must be nominated by a WSA National Expert. Submissions must be registered online via the WSA contest database. Only completed applications will be considered.
For the Young Innovators Award, eligibility is limited to applicants with at least one founder—and the majority of team members—under the age of 26 (born on or after January 1, 1998). The same registration and submission process applies, and entries must meet all technical requirements to be accepted for jury review.
Projects may be disqualified if submissions are incomplete, do not follow WSA guidelines, or if technical malfunctions occur during evaluation. Any legal disputes regarding the selection process are not permitted. Submissions must also respect intellectual property rights and provide truthful registration details.
Applications are evaluated on both technical and strategic criteria. Technical factors include content quality, user functionality, design, and appropriate use of technology. Strategic considerations assess the project’s innovation, local impact, alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and its potential to reduce the digital divide and contribute to global relevance.
The World Summit Awards represent a global platform for recognition, collaboration, and sustainable impact—celebrating digital solutions that change lives and empower communities.
For more information, visit WSA.
