About WSA
WSA (World Summit Awards) is a unique award system that selects and promotes local digital innovations aimed at improving society in line with the UN SDGs. Through a series of international events and a global network of startups, social entrepreneurs, mentors, jurors, speakers, experts, government leaders, academia, and civil society, WSA serves as an international platform showcasing how communication technologies can positively impact society.
With 22 years of experience, WSA is a quality seal for digital content that drives societal impact across 182 countries.
What is WSA?
The Mission
Global network
WSA taps into a global network of startups, mentors, entrepreneurs, jurors, government reps, ICT experts, and international organizations to ensure broad multi-stakeholder transfer.
Innovation
WSA promotes digital innovations with a positive societal impact and fosters young entrepreneurship worldwide.
UN context
WSA supports the UN Post-2025 Sustainable Development Agenda by aligning with UN agendas and reporting national digital developments to the UN WSIS process.
Regional & global events
WSA hosts 15+ events, workshops, and meetings annually, offering platforms for multi-level knowledge exchange.
182 countries
WSA connects with a growing network of innovators, entrepreneurs, government officials, and young founders across 182 countries.
45 winners
WSA selects 40 winners annually through a competitive, inclusive award system.
+ 5 WSA Young Innovators
WSA also recognizes 5 Young Innovators as winners each year.
Facts & numbers
- The WSA is a highly diverse and democratic award system that selects and promotes the world’s best digital innovation with an impact on society.
- WSA was initiated in 2003 in the framework of the UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS). It contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals Agenda by recognizing local digital content with an impact on society, demonstrating the richness and diversity of innovative applications.
- To date, 182 Countries are actively involved, making the World Summit Awards a global hub for everyone who values the crucial importance of local content to make today’s information society more inclusive.
- Be it an app to help the blind use smartphones or a website reanimating history, the WSA offer a platform for those who think beyond the box.
Objectives
Selection and promotion of innovative, locally relevant digital solutions with content depth and user value from all UN member states.
Contribute to the UN WSIS agenda and SDGs by highlighting creative digital innovations.
Fostering knowledge exchange, inspiring platforms, and strengthening a global multi-stakeholder network.
Global visibility of WSA through national experts, media partners, and strategic collaborations.
WSA is organized by
WSA is conducted by ICNM, an Austrian not-for-profit organisation based in Salzburg and Vienna, Austria.
ICNM organizes national, regional and global competitions to demonstrate the richness and diversity of digital media with societal impact. ICNM was founded by Prof. Peter A. Bruck in 2002.
Video message by WSA Chairman Peter A. Bruck
