The WSA Young Innovators Award spotlights outstanding digital solutions from young entrepreneurs and project teams addressing pressing local and global challenges. Open to participants from UN and UNESCO member states, the program provides selected innovators with the chance to present their work to an international jury and global audience at the WSA Global Congress.
Program Overview
- Organizer: World Summit Award (WSA)
- Category: Global Digital Innovation Competition
- Target Age Group: Under 26 (born on or after January 1, 1998)
- Target Applicants: Entrepreneurs, companies, student groups, and project teams
- Geographic Scope: Open to all UN and UNESCO member states
- Submission Cost: Free of charge
The WSA Young Innovators call invites functional digital products—such as apps, websites, wearable applications, mobile games, and SMS-based services—that deliver measurable social impact and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Eligibility Criteria
- At least one founder and the majority of the team under the age of 26
- Operational solution (not a draft or prototype) with proven local impact
- Open to apps, websites, mobile platforms, wearable tech, kiosk installations, and other interactive digital solutions
- Solutions older than three years must have significant updates or new features
- Must be entered in only one category per submission
- Products previously nominated must have undergone substantial enhancements
- Adherence to the UN Declaration on Human Rights; entries promoting violence, discrimination, or violating copyright will be disqualified
Submission Guidelines
Applicants must submit their solutions through the WSA contest database in English. Submissions should include:
- Short Description: 2–3 sentences summarizing the solution and its impact (also used for PR)
- Problem and Solution: Description of the local challenge, the solution’s relevance, and expected results
- Competition & Target Group: Competitor analysis, unique selling points, and target audience details
- Digital Components & Technologies: Overview of the digital tools used and how they address the problem
- Team & Motivation: Background of the team, advisors, and project origin story
- Impact & Achievements: Measurable results, milestones, and geographic reach
- Sustainability & Business Model: Financial sustainability and revenue approach
- Testing Access: Instructions for the jury to experience or test the solution
Evaluation Process
An international jury assesses submissions against WSA’s evaluation criteria. Judges may reassign entries to different categories if they deem it more appropriate. In total, 40 winners are selected across all categories. Decisions are final and not subject to legal challenge.
Key Tips for Applicants
- Keep descriptions short, clear, and free of unnecessary technical jargon
- Ensure all website links and contact emails are active
- If possible, include a high-quality explanatory video with English subtitles
- Complete all fields in the application, even optional ones, for a stronger submission
- Use the provided Word template to draft responses before uploading to the database
The WSA Young Innovators Award offers under-26 digital creators a global platform to showcase impactful technology-driven solutions. By combining local relevance with international visibility, the initiative connects emerging innovators with an influential network of peers, mentors, and decision-makers, driving forward the mission of technology for social good. Interested participants should carefully review the rules, prepare a concise and compelling application, and submit it before the official deadline via the WSA platform.