{"id":57,"date":"2026-06-05T13:03:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T13:03:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/?page_id=57"},"modified":"2026-06-12T15:00:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T15:00:58","slug":"about-awards","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/awards\/about-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"    <section>\n    <div class=\"text-section\">\n        <div class=\"ituContainer grid\">\n                                        <div class=\"text-section-left\" data-span=\"8\">\n                        <p>\n        The <strong>Digital@UNGA Awards <\/strong>recognize and celebrate outstanding digital initiatives, policies, partnerships, and leaders that are advancing inclusive, responsible, and people\u2011centred technological development. The Awards aim to elevate impactful solutions, promote responsible innovation, strengthen multistakeholder cooperation, and elevate leadership in shaping an inclusive digital future. <br>The <strong>Digital@UNGA Awards<\/strong> are open to all stakeholders.    <\/p>\n                        <p>\n        <strong>Submissions<\/strong> include:    <\/p>\n                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li><strong>Projects<\/strong>: Digitally enabled initiatives implemented on the ground that demonstrate measurable, sustainable, and scalable impact<\/li>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li><strong>Policies and Regulatory Frameworks<\/strong>: Innovative policy, legislative, or regulatory approaches that advance digital transformation, digital governance, inclusion, trust, or responsible technology adoption<\/li>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li><strong>Innovative Digital Applications and Solutions<\/strong>: Practical digital tools, platforms, or applications that use technology to address social, economic, environmental, or governance challenges<\/li>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li><strong>Youth-led Initiatives<\/strong>: Creative and forward-looking initiatives led by young innovators* contributing to inclusive digital transformation<\/li>\n<\/div><\/ul>\n<\/div>                        <p>\n        <em>(*Submissions are open to individuals aged 25\u201340 with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience <em>or youth-led organizations driving positive change through creative and impactful digital solutions<\/em>).<\/em><br><br>Click <a href=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Digital-UNGA-Awards-Concept-Note.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Digital-UNGA-Awards-Concept-Note.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a> to download the Digital@UNGA Awards Concept Note    <\/p>\n                        <p>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/awards\/awardsform\" class=\"ituBtn\" >\n            Submission Form        <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"text-section-right data-span-override\" data-span=\"4\">\n                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" src=\"http:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/05\/cropped-digital@UNGA-favicon.png\" alt=\"digital@UNGA-favicon\" class=\"wp-image-8\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/05\/cropped-digital@UNGA-favicon.png 512w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/05\/cropped-digital@UNGA-favicon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/05\/cropped-digital@UNGA-favicon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/05\/cropped-digital@UNGA-favicon-270x270.png 270w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/05\/cropped-digital@UNGA-favicon-192x192.png 192w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/05\/cropped-digital@UNGA-favicon-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/05\/cropped-digital@UNGA-favicon-32x32.png 32w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section>\n    <div class=\"text-section\">\n        <div class=\"ituContainer grid\">\n                                        <div class=\"text-section-left\" data-span=\"8\">\n                        <h2 class=\"h3\">\n        Categories    <\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"text-section-right data-span-override\" data-span=\"4\">\n            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section>\n        <div class=\"ituContainer grid \">\n                                <div class=\"ituCard bg hor alternating parent-side\" data-span=\"12\">\n        <img src=http:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/awards-categorries-16x9-1.jpg alt=\"Decorative image\" class=\"img-side\" \/>\n        <div class=\"content content-side\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                                    <p class=\"title\">Digital Inclusion<\/p>\n                                                    Recognizes initiatives that expand meaningful and equitable access to digital technologies, connectivity, digital skills, accessibility, and online participation \u2014 particularly addressing the needs of underserved, marginalized, and vulnerable communities.                                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/awards\/digital-inclusion\" class=\"ituBtn\" target=_self>\n                        Read more                    <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"ituCard bg hor alternating parent-side\" data-span=\"12\">\n        <img src=http:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/digital-governance-transformation-adobe-16x9-1.jpg alt=\"Decorative image\" class=\"img-side\" \/>\n        <div class=\"content content-side\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                                    <p class=\"title\">Digital Government Transformation<\/p>\n                                                    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\u2014demonstrating measurable progress in modernizing the public sector and delivering tangible benefits to citizens and businesses.                                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/awards\/digital-government\" class=\"ituBtn\" target=_self>\n                        Read more                    <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"ituCard bg hor alternating parent-side\" data-span=\"12\">\n        <img src=http:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/digital-frontiers-adobe-16x9-1.jpg alt=\"Decorative image\" class=\"img-side\" \/>\n        <div class=\"content content-side\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                                    <p class=\"title\">Digital Frontiers<\/p>\n                                                    Recognizes pioneering and forward-looking initiatives that responsibly leverage emerging technologies \u2014 including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, space technologies, and other frontier innovations \u2014 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 \u2014demonstrating strong governance, future readiness, measurable impact, and potential to scale.                                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/awards\/digital-frontiers\" class=\"ituBtn\" target=_self>\n                        Read more                    <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"ituCard bg hor alternating parent-side\" data-span=\"12\">\n        <img src=http:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/awards-pioneers-adobe-600x200px.jpg alt=\"Decorative image\" class=\"img-side\" \/>\n        <div class=\"content content-side\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                                    <p class=\"title\">Digital Pioneers<\/p>\n                                                    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.                                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/awards\/digital-pioneers\" class=\"ituBtn\" target=_self>\n                        Read more                    <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section>\n    <div class=\"text-section\">\n        <div class=\"ituContainer grid\">\n                                        <div class=\"text-section-left\" data-span=\"8\">\n                        <h2 class=\"h3\">\n        Timeline    <\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"text-section-right data-span-override\" data-span=\"4\">\n            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section>\n        <div class=\"ituContainer grid\">\n            <ul class=\"ituTimeline\" data-span=\"8\">\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    Call for Submissions Launch \u2014 <strong>12 June 2026<\/strong>  |  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/awards\/awardsform\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/digital-unga2026\/awards\/awardsform\">Submission form<\/a>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    Submission Deadline \u2014 <strong>4 August 2026<\/strong>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    Jury Review and Selection Process \u2014 <strong>4 August \u2013 14 August 2026<\/strong>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    Notification of Finalists \u2014 <strong>by 21 August 2026<\/strong>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    Digital@UNGA Awards Ceremony \u2014 <strong>21 September 2026<\/strong>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n<div 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