Call for Submissions: Digital@UNGA Awards 2026 for outstanding digital innovators

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Closing Date: 4 August 2026

Call for Submissions: Digital@UNGA Awards 2026 for outstanding digital innovators

Around the world, changemakers are proving that technology can be a force for equity, opportunity, and hope. They are connecting the unconnected, reimagining public services, and harnessing cutting-edge technologies for solutions to humanity’s biggest challenges.

The Digital@UNGA Awards exist to shine a light on exactly that. International Telecommunication Union and UNDP are looking for the initiatives, policies, and leaders shaping an inclusive, responsible, people-centred digital future across four categories.

Background

Digital technologies are transforming economies, societies, and public institutions at unprecedented speed. From artificial intelligence and digital public services to connectivity, data governance, and emerging technologies, digital innovation is increasingly shaping how people access opportunities, participate in society, and respond to global challenges.

At the same time, significant digital divides persist within and across countries, limiting equitable access to the benefits of technology. Ensuring that digital transformation is inclusive, safe, rights-based, sustainable, and people-centred requires stronger global cooperation, responsible innovation, and multistakeholder action.

The Digital@UNGA Awards recognize and celebrate outstanding digital initiatives, policies, partnerships, and leaders that are advancing inclusive, responsible, and people-centred technological development. The Awards aim to elevate impactful solutions, promote responsible innovation, strengthen multistakeholder cooperation, and elevate leadership in shaping an inclusive digital future.

Objectives

The Digital@UNGA Awards 2026 will:

Highlight digital initiatives delivering measurable and sustainable impact at scale
Promote inclusive, equitable, accessible, and people-centred digital transformation
Recognize innovative, scalable, and replicable digital solutions that contribute to sustainable development and public value
Encourage digital collaboration, knowledge-sharing and partnerships
Celebrate youth leadership and forward-looking innovation

The Digital@UNGA Awards are open to all stakeholders.

Submissions include:

Projects: Digitally enabled initiatives implemented on the ground that demonstrate measurable, sustainable, and scalable impact
Policies and Regulatory Frameworks: Innovative policy, legislative, or regulatory approaches that advance digital transformation, digital governance, inclusion, trust, or responsible technology adoption
Innovative Digital Applications and Solutions: Practical digital tools, platforms, or applications that use technology to address social, economic, environmental, or governance challenges
Youth-led Initiatives: Creative and forward-looking initiatives led by young innovators* contributing to inclusive digital transformation

(*Submissions are open to individuals aged 25–40 with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience or youth-led organizations driving positive change through creative and impactful digital solutions).

Click here to download the Digital@UNGA Awards Concept Note.

Categories

Digital Inclusion

Recognizes initiatives that expand meaningful and equitable access to digital technologies, connectivity, digital skills, accessibility, and online participation — particularly addressing the needs of underserved, marginalized, and vulnerable communities. Read more

Digital Government

Recognizes governments and public institutions that are transforming governance and public service delivery through the strategic and responsible use of digital technologies. It celebrates efforts that improve efficiency, transparency, and user experience—demonstrating measurable progress in modernizing the public sector and delivering tangible benefits to citizens and businesses. Read more

Digital Frontiers

Recognizes pioneering and forward-looking initiatives that responsibly leverage emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, space technologies, and other frontier innovations — to address global challenges and shape a more inclusive digital future. It includes both the development of cutting-edge technologies and leadership in advancing their ethical, safe, and responsible development and use —demonstrating strong governance, future readiness, measurable impact, and potential to scale. Read more

Digital Pioneers

Recognizes outstanding innovations led by young pioneers (25-40 years old and with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience) or youth-led organizations driving positive change through creative and impactful digital solutions. Read more