When: September 22 - 25

Where: Vilnus, Lithuania

On September 23-24, the WSA European Young Innovators Jury meeting was hosted in Vilnius by the State Digital Solutions Agency (SDSA). 12 Grand Jury members, came together to review, compare, and discuss an impressive array of projects, ultimately selecting 15 winning solutions that showcased innovation and impact across Europe.
The jury meeting was opened by Erika Kurockina (Vice-Minister for Economic Affairs and Innovation of Lithuania) and Ieva Žilionienė, WSA National Expert Lithuania, providing valuable context and insights about Digital Lithuania, trends, recent developments and strategies, from providing digital services to narrowing the digital divide.

The jury’s presence in Lithuania also provided a valuable opportunity for engagement with local impact entrepreneurs. Representatives from WSA alumni, including Citify, Teachers Lead Tech, ManoSeimas, and Every Tree Matters, shared how their projects have evolved since winning the WSA award. These entrepreneurs presented their remarkable growth journeys and highlighted how their solutions continue to contribute to social and digital change both locally and globally.

In addition to the Jury deliberations, the event featured participation in the GovTech Leaders Conference, where the jurors delved into emerging trends around artificial intelligence (AI) in the public sector. The conference offered a platform for multi-stakeholder discussions, with best practices from the region providing insights into how AI is shaping government innovation and digital transformation across Europe.

WSA jury member Connor Sattely shared insights about Impact Measurement in the Public Sector. He encouraged the audience to have the courage to put impact measurement at the beginning of each project, measuring a baseline, introducing the intervention and measuring again.
WSA chairperson Dr. Peter A. Bruck talked about AI in the public sector, calling for value based engineering and integrating ethical standards when introducing AI solutions. 

The WSA European Young Innovators Jury meeting in Vilnius was not just an occasion to celebrate young talent, but also a hub of collaboration, learning, and inspiration, paving the way for future innovation in Europe.

A citytour by @Guide in Vilnius and Lithuania (Facebook) provided the opportunity to discover the beauty, history and culture of Vilnius.
Our hosting partners spoiled the jury during two networking dinners at Eritlo Namas (Michelin recommended) and Nineteen18, which was awarded a Michelin star in June 2023, marking the debut of the Michelin Guide in Lithuania.

Meet the winners

Meet The Decision Makers:

Hosting & Organizing Partners

Importance of Voting in European Elections 2024

From June 6 to 9, 2024, millions of Europeans will vote in the European elections, a critical event shaping the EU's future. Voting allows citizens to influence laws on environmental policies, security, migration, social policies, and the economy, impacting everyone from large nations to small communities. The elections will drive digital innovation, aligned with the UN SDGs, fostering sustainable growth and justice. They address global challenges like climate change and equality, empowering citizens to ensure the EU leads in sustainability and digital inclusion. High voter turnout strengthens democratic institutions, reflecting diverse views and protecting European interests.

Key topics

Economic Policies and Recovery

• Post-Pandemic Recovery: Strategies for economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, including the allocation of EU Recovery Plan funds.
• Fiscal Policies: Debates over fiscal rules, budget deficits, and public debt management.

Climate Change and Environmental Policies

• Green Deal: Implementing the European Green Deal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
• Climate Legislation: Regulations on carbon emissions and the transition to a green economy.

Migration and Asylum Policies

• Border Security: Strengthening external borders and managing migration flows.
• Asylum Procedures: Reforming the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and ensuring fair distribution of asylum seekers among member states.

Rule of Law and Democratic Values

• Judicial Independence: Ensuring the independence of the judiciary and combating corruption.
• Media Freedom: Protecting freedom of the press and combating misinformation.

Digital Transformation

• Data Protection: Ensuring robust data privacy and security regulations.
• Cybersecurity: Enhancing measures to protect against digital threats.

Foreign Policy and Defense

• EU’s Global Role: Strengthening the EU's role in global affairs, including relations with major powers like the US, China, and Russia.
• Defense Cooperation: Advancing the EU's defense capabilities and cooperation through initiatives like PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation).

Public Health

• Health Systems: Strengthening healthcare systems and coordination among member states.
• Pandemic Preparedness: Improving readiness for future health crises.

Education and Youth

• Erasmus+: Expanding opportunities for education, training, and youth exchange programs.
• Youth Employment: Addressing youth unemployment and promoting skills development.

Who should I vote for?

WSA isn't here to tell you who to vote for, but to stress the importance of participation. Your vote should reflect your values and country of residence. To understand more about your country's representatives and how they align with your values, Euandi offers a helpful quiz.

Take the quiz

How do I vote?

For detailed information on how to participate in the EU elections based on your country of residence, click the link below.

Learn how to vote

Tune in for the WSA Winners' Live Pitch Event

Attendees of the WSA Global Congress in Chile had the chance to hear the pitches of this years' WSA's winners. However, some of the winners didn't get the chance to attend the Global Congress. These winners were able to pitches on a live stream to the global WSA community. This event offered atendees a chance to hear from some of WSA's winners pitch their projects, and gave viewers the chance to interact with the winners, learn from them, and connect with them.

The session was moderated by Jason Muloongo and Michaela Ternasky-Holland

Date & Time

Tuesday, July 23, 14:00 CET

Event Highlights

14:00: Opening Words by WSA Chairperson Peter A. Bruck
14:04-15:00: Pitching Session (3 min pitch & 3 min Q&A per Winning Team)
15:00-15:30: Networking, Insights, Knowledge Sharing in Break Out Rooms

Pitching Teams

Upon careful deliberation, the jurors selected 5 Global Champions from among the winners.

You can find out who they are in the link below:

You can also watch the session in the iframe below:

Learn more

The most valuable asset of WSA is its global network of entrepreneurs with a desire to make a positive impact on the world. The new ix3 format aims to enhance interactivity within the community by providing WSA winners with a platform to share their stories and engage in meaningful exchanges. For the WSA network to thrive, it requires constant interaction among its members, fostering engagement and connections while showcasing the network's power, impact, and purpose to the world. The theme for this round of ix3 was Women in Tech.

This ix3 event was an interactive live online session specifically featuring three women who are all WSA alumni telling their unique stories and insights. The speakers were followed by a moderated group conversation.

Live Stream

The recording of the live stream is available in the iframe below

Tech Trailblazers - Women leading the way

Thursday, July 4, 3pm (CET)

with:

The discussion will be moderated by Odeta Iseviciute.

Trinidad López Beckett

Laboratoria - Regional Partnerships Coordinator

Trinidad López Beckett is the Regional Partnerships Coordinator at Laboratoria, a Latin American organization that empowers women who dream of a better future to start and grow a transformative career in the digital economy. In her role, Trinidad is responsible for developing strategic partnerships, managing outreach programs, and leading fundraising initiatives.

Trinidad also worked as an Alumnae Coordinator, where she connected with women from all over Latin America in search of benefits and better opportunities for the professional growth of graduates. She has experience as a clinical psychologist and community facilitator, having worked in various wellness and development initiatives for individuals and communities.

She is passionate about increasing access to quality educational opportunities and fostering dialogue and partnerships among diverse communities and cultures. Her international experience and commitment to empowering women in technology motivate her to continue promoting positive change through education and collaboration.

Kaja Posnik

Girls Global Ready Program - Program Director

Kaja Posnik is a Program Director of the Girls Global Ready Program (by the Girls Future Ready Foundation), named the 2023 European Young Innovator Champion by the World Summit Awards. Kaja is also a neuroscience student at University College London. Having been a Project Leader of one of the biggest student-led conferences in the United Kingdom, UCL Leaders, she has experience working with international communities and embracing diversity. She shares her work towards women and youth empowerment as a panelist at youth events and conferences, as well as at institutions such as the Senate of the Republic of Poland.

Kaja is a scholar of the British Alumni Society, Clinton Global Initiative University and Miracle Corners of the World (MCW) Global, as part of which she is working on developing a youth program focused on increasing awareness about mental health through the performing arts. She is the founder of the ’Breath of Art’ podcast, where, together with her guests, she discusses the subjective nature of the arts and their impact on various areas of our lives. Kaja is the author of several neuroscience articles, published among others in ’The Harvard Brain’ and European Journal of Educational Innovation, Partnership and Change.

Lilit Shakhulyan

Safe YOU - Chief Operations Officer

Please note that the workshop times are CET (Central European Time), please make sure to add them to your calendar to transfer it to your time zone.

The WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event 2024 marks two decades since the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) set a vision for global digital cooperation. Held from May 27 to 31, 2024, this event will reflect on the progress since the Geneva Plan of Action in 2003 and address current challenges and opportunities in building people-centric, inclusive, and development-oriented information and knowledge societies. Co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, and UNCTAD, and co-hosted by ITU and the Swiss Confederation, the forum will see substantial contributions from the World Summit Awards (WSA), particularly in youth engagement.

Those interested can register for free, both online or in person.

Register now

Mobilizing Collective Intelligence to Harness Innovation for Connectivity & Applications

One of WSA’s significant contributions will be the session titled “Mobilizing Collective Intelligence to Harness Innovation for Connectivity & Applications” on May 28, 2024. This multistakeholder session, co-convened by WSA, the Geneva Innovation Movement, and Partner2Connect, will explore the achievements and future directions of WSIS Action Lines C7 and C8. The discussion will focus on bridging digital divides and designing cross-sector collaboration to support social impact ventures. Moderated by WSA Chairperson Peter A. Bruck, the session aims to leverage collective intelligence to produce actionable outcomes and map out future steps for enhanced connectivity and ICT applications.
Learn more

Youth Engagement Around WSIS Action Lines

The critical focus on youth will be highlighted in the session “Youth Engagement Around WSIS Action Lines” on May 29, 2024. This session underscores the indispensable role of young people in advancing the Tunis agenda, particularly in Action Line C7. Given that youth are key users and innovators in technology, their engagement is essential for shaping an inclusive and just knowledge society. This session, also moderated by Peter A. Bruck, will emphasize providing young people with skills and opportunities in the digital economy through access to global professional networks, capacity building in impact entrepreneurship, and digital literacy.
Learn more

Participants will have the opportunity to share best practices on integrating youth into ICT policymaking and hear firsthand from WSA Young Innovators. The focus will be on how young digital entrepreneurs are implementing WSIS Action Lines through digital solutions, addressing issues such as climate change and citizen participation.

As WSA takes the stage at WSIS+20, its sessions will underscore the importance of youth engagement and cross-sector collaboration in leveraging ICT for sustainable development. This event presents a platform for young innovators to shape the future of digital cooperation and contribute to global development goals.
Register now

Youth engagement in the European Elections is crucial for shaping the future of Europe. As the next generation of leaders and decision-makers, young people bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a strong sense of social responsibility to the political landscape.

In supporting youth and democracy across Europe, WSA will be contributing to 4GameChangers Festival in Vienna.

Leading African Innovation | May 14, 13:15 | Main Stage

African entrepreneurs possess immense untapped potential, offering innovative solutions for global challenges. Recognizing and supporting these talents not only benefits Africa but also fosters global learning and collaboration. Let's embrace Africa's innovation hub to drive transformative change for a sustainable future.

Two notable members of the WSA community will be speaking:

• Nkemdilim Begho
• Moses Aquah

Learn more

Engaging Youth for Europe's Future | May 16, 18:20 | Silent Stage

This fishbowl session invites you to engage and contribute to a compelling forum for those interested in Europe's future. Together with some pre-selected panellists, we will explore three key themes: European solidarity and values, engaging young people in European elections, and countering populist and anti-European movements.

Participants from diverse backgrounds will engage in dynamic discussions on upholding European values amidst geopolitical challenges. They will brainstorm innovative strategies to inspire youth participation in European politics and confront populist ideologies threatening European unity.

The fishbowl session will be moderated by

• Peter A. Bruck - WSA Chairperson

Peter A. Bruck will be joined by:

• Fabienne Landerer - UNESCO 
• Nathalie Moritz - SOS Kinderdörfer
• Paul Freysinger - Bundes Jugend Vertretung  
• Rüya Buga - Europa
• Sophie Drescher

Learn more

Are you ready to showcase your digital innovation to a global audience?

The World Summit Awards give participants a chance to pitch their solution to a global network of national experts, building valuable connections in the process. The winners will get win the chance to join WSA in Hyderabad India for the 19th WSA Global Congress. This will give winners the chance to:

• Connect with likeminded people including partners, investors, and fellow impact entrepreneurs
• Join the knowledge society of thought leaders, innovators and stakeholders in a community that fosters collaboration over competition
• Access unique opportunities through WSA's global network
• Learn globally and act locally - get to know specialists solving similar problems to you, and transfer their learnings to your local ecosystem

How to participate

• To enter the global contest, your solution must be nominated by your country's National Expert - National Experts are members of the WSA network who have a good understanding of the local startup and impact ecosystems.
• To participate, select your country in the dropdown menu and follow the instructions. Rules, timelines and guidelines may vary by country, so it is important that you select your country before submitting your solution.
• If your project is nominated by your country's National Expert, you will be informed via email. 

Timeline

• May 15, 2024: WSA will be accepting nominations starting on this date
• October 15, 2024: This is the deadline - WSA will no longer accept nominations after this date
• November 2024: The Online Jury will evaluate the nominations to select the shortlist
• January 2025: Shortlisted solutions will be announced
• February 2025: The Grand Jury will evaluate the shortlist to select the winners
• April 6-9, 2025: Winners will be presented and awarded at the WSA Global Congress in Hyderabad, India

Learn more

Rules

Before you dive in, make sure to familiarize yourself with the rules and guidelines for nominations.

• All solutions must be submitted through the local National Expert
• All solutions must be submitted through the appropriate category
• Deadlines may vary locally depending on the National Expert
• All submissions must be market ready - no drafts, prototypes, demonstrations or unfinished projects
• All submissions must be digital solutions aligned with the UN SDGs
• If the majority of your team is under 26, consider applying to the Young Innovators Award instead
• Check out the Rules & Conditions for a more comprehensive guide

Contact the WSA team for questions