Applications open for WSA Global Award

Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

The World Summit Awards (WSA) Global Award is a nomination-based international recognition program that highlights digital solutions delivering measurable social impact aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). It focuses on innovative, market-ready digital products and services that demonstrate real-world societal value.

The award covers eight thematic categories and is open to individuals, companies, and organizations from UN and UNESCO member states. Winners gain global recognition, access to international networks, mentoring, and participation in the WSA Global Congress.

What Is the World Summit Awards (WSA) Global Award?

The World Summit Awards (WSA) Global Award is an international initiative that identifies and promotes digital innovations with strong social impact. It is not a funding program but a global recognition platform that showcases solutions addressing real-world challenges through technology.

The program is designed to highlight digital products and services that contribute meaningfully to sustainable development and societal improvement.

Key Characteristics

• International recognition program (not a grant)
• Focus on digital solutions with social impact
• Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Nomination-based application system
• Global jury evaluation process
• Participation from over 180 countries through WSA network

Focus Areas and Categories

WSA evaluates digital solutions across eight key categories aligned with societal needs and SDG priorities.

1. Government & Citizen Engagement

Digital tools that improve:

• Public services
• Civic participation
• Transparency and governance
• Citizen communication systems

2. Health & Wellbeing

Solutions that support:

• Healthcare access
• Mental health services
• Medical innovation
• Health monitoring systems

3. Learning & Education

Innovations that improve:

• Digital learning platforms
• Educational accessibility
• Skills development
• Lifelong learning systems

4. Environment & Green Energy

Solutions focused on:

• Climate action
• Renewable energy systems
• Environmental protection
• Sustainability technologies

5. Culture & Heritage

Digital tools that preserve and promote:

• Cultural heritage
• Arts and creative industries
• Cultural documentation
• Digital storytelling

6. Smart Settlements & Urbanization

Innovations supporting:

• Smart cities
• Urban planning
• Mobility systems
• Infrastructure optimization

7. Business & Commerce

Digital solutions improving:

• Entrepreneurship
• E-commerce systems
• Digital business models
• Financial technologies

8. Inclusion & Empowerment

Projects that promote:

• Digital accessibility
• Social inclusion
• Gender equality
• Empowerment of marginalized groups

Eligibility Criteria

The WSA Global Award is open to a wide range of digital innovators.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Individuals
• Startups and companies
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Public institutions
• Social enterprises
• Innovation teams and organizations

Geographic Eligibility

• Open to participants from UN member states
• Open to UNESCO member states

Solution Requirements

To be eligible, submissions must:

• Be market-ready digital solutions
• Demonstrate real-world social impact
• Be actively used or deployed
• Be generally no older than 3 years
• Be significantly updated if older

Application and Nomination Process

WSA uses a structured nomination-based system rather than open direct applications.

Step 1: National Nomination

• Applicants must be nominated by a WSA National Expert
• National Experts evaluate local digital innovations
• Only selected solutions proceed to global evaluation

Step 2: Submission in English

• All nominated entries must be submitted in English
• Detailed documentation of impact and functionality is required

Step 3: International Jury Evaluation

Applications are assessed by an international expert jury based on:

• Social and environmental impact
• Innovation and originality
• Technical quality
• Relevance to SDGs
• Scalability and usability

Step 4: Final Selection

• Winners are selected across all eight categories
• Final decisions are made through structured expert review

Benefits of Winning or Being Nominated

WSA provides non-financial but high-value global recognition and ecosystem access.

Global Recognition

• International visibility across 182 countries
• Recognition as a leading digital innovation
• Inclusion in global WSA showcases

Networking and Ecosystem Access

• Access to WSA Global Congress
• Participation in pitching sessions
• Entry into global innovation networks
• Long-term ecosystem engagement

Learning and Development Opportunities

• Expert feedback from international jury members
• Tailored workshops
• Mentorship opportunities
• Peer learning from global innovators

Media and Exposure Benefits

• International media visibility
• Promotion through WSA platforms
• Increased credibility for organizations and solutions

Evaluation Criteria

Solutions are assessed using structured impact-driven criteria.

Key Assessment Factors

• Measurable social impact
• Alignment with UN SDGs
• Innovation and creativity
• Real-world implementation
• User adoption and effectiveness
• Scalability and sustainability
• Technical and design quality

Why the WSA Global Award Matters

WSA plays a significant role in identifying and amplifying digital innovation for social good.

Key Contributions

• Promotes digital solutions with real societal impact
• Strengthens global SDG implementation through technology
• Connects innovators across 182+ countries
• Encourages inclusive and sustainable digital transformation
• Highlights scalable solutions to global challenges

Best Practices for Applicants

To improve selection chances, applicants should focus on:

• Demonstrating measurable real-world impact
• Clearly aligning with SDG categories
• Providing strong evidence of user adoption
• Highlighting innovation and uniqueness
• Ensuring clarity in documentation and storytelling
• Showing scalability and long-term sustainability

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the WSA Global Award?

It is an international recognition program that highlights digital solutions with measurable social impact aligned with the UN SDGs.

Who can apply?

Individuals, companies, NGOs, startups, and public organizations from UN and UNESCO member states.

Is this a funding program?

No. It is a recognition and networking program, not a financial grant.

What are the categories?

There are eight categories covering governance, health, education, environment, culture, urban development, business, and inclusion.

What is required to apply?

A market-ready digital solution with proven real-world impact, nominated by a WSA National Expert.

How are winners selected?

Through a structured international jury evaluation based on impact, innovation, and relevance.

What are the benefits of winning?

Global recognition, access to the WSA Global Congress, networking opportunities, workshops, mentorship, and international visibility.

Conclusion

The World Summit Awards (WSA) Global Award is a prestigious international recognition platform for digital solutions that create measurable social impact aligned with the UN SDGs. By highlighting innovative technologies across eight key categories, WSA connects impactful digital projects with a global ecosystem of experts, organizations, and innovators.

Although it does not provide direct funding, it offers significant value through global exposure, mentorship, networking, and long-term engagement opportunities, making it a key platform for scaling digital innovation for social good.

For more information, visit WSA.