WSA Rules & Conditions

Important notice by the WSA Board of Directors for participants from the Russian Federation: Policy Statement. By submission of a digital solution, producers accept the Rules and Conditions of the WSA contest!

Below WSA Terms and Conditions apply for WSA Call 2024. Please get in touch for with the WSA office on questions regarding WSA Terms and Conditions for WSA Call 2024.

 

1) General contest rules

  • The World Summit Award (WSA) highlights digital applications that significantly impact society across eight categories, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). All entries will be assessed using the WSA evaluation criteria.
  • By submitting an application, producers accept the rules of the WSA contests as stated on this page and in the WSA Contest Database.
  • All WSA applicants must comply with the rules outlined in the UN Declaration on Human Rights. Submissions that promote war, violence, fraud, racism, or discrimination will be immediately disqualified. Additionally, entries that infringe upon international copyright laws will also be disqualified.
  • WSA is not liable for received submissions, their contents and rights.

 

2) Eligibility, application and submission of projects to the WSA 

  • Companies, organizations, and individuals from any UN and UNESCO member state are eligible to participate in the WSA.
  • Only projects nominated by a WSA National Expert can enter the Global competition.
  • Applicants must register and submit their solution details online through the WSA contest database.
  • Submitting a solution for evaluation and selection process does not guarantee any benefits to the producer. The decision is final and cannot be legally challenged.
  • Only fully filled out and submitted applications will be considered complete and considered by the WSA Jury.
  • Submission is free of charge.

 

3) Eligibility, application and submission of projects to the Young Innovators

  • Participation in the WSA Young Innovators award is open to entrepreneurs, companies, student groups, and project teams with at least one founder and the majority of the team members under the age of 26 (born on or after January 1, 1998). Applicants must be from any UN or UNESCO member state.
  • Applicants must register and submit their solution details online through the WSA contest database.
  • Submitting a solution for evaluation and selection process does not guarantee any benefits to the producer. The decision is final and cannot be legally challenged.
  • Only applications that are fully completed and submitted will be considered by the WSA Jury.
  • Submission is free of charge.

4) Which projects are suitable for WSA?

  • WSA submissions should include digital content applications that have a significant social impact. Eligible submissions include apps, websites, wearable applications, kiosk installations, SMS-based products, mobile games, and interactive mobile productions. While devices and hardware solutions are acceptable, they must be fully operational. Applicants are expected to provide impact measurement, including their methodology. There are no restrictions on the platforms or channels used by the solutions.
  • Only launched solutions are eligible for submission. Drafts, prototypes, demonstrations, or incomplete solutions will not be accepted. Each solution must be a functional product and show evidence of local impact.
  • Products older than three years at the time of nomination must include updates or new features to qualify.
  • A solution may only be entered in one category. Organizations, companies, and teams making multiple submissions must register each solution separately. Solutions previously nominated for the WSA cannot be resubmitted unless they have undergone significant changes, enhancements, or expansions.

 

5) WSA usage and intellectual property rights

  • By submitting an application to the WSA, producers grant the WSA office the right to use submitted videos, pictures, and other content for non-commercial purposes. These materials may be used to promote the nominated product in print, broadcast media, other media forms, and at events.
  • The producer must hold the copyright for all images, sounds, and other content associated with their solution. Additionally, all software used must be properly licensed.
  • WSA has the right to share promotional material and information about the submitted projects with potential investors and sponsoring partners.

6) WSA contest language

  • Submissions can be in any of the United Nations official languages. However, all details about the producer and the project in the WSA database must be in English. English is the official language of the WSA and must be used for all official communications.

7) Criteria for disqualification and exclusion in the WSA process

  • Submissions that are incomplete or do not adhere to WSA guidelines will be removed from the selection process without notification. No legal challenges can be made against disqualification decisions. The WSA organizers reserve the right to reject any submission without further explanation or notice.
  • A solution that malfunctions during the jury evaluation may be disqualified. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their solutions function properly throughout the evaluation process.
  • Additional reasons for withdrawal include: lack of ownership of creative rights, copyright infringement, providing false registration information, or failing to comply with the contest guidelines.

 

8) Category switch

  • The jury reserves the right to switch a submission to a different category if they find it better fitting for the particular solution. Any change in category is determined by the jury.

 

9) Winners selection process

  • Winners in each category (40 in total) will be chosen through the jury process, as detailed on the WSA website. The jury’s decision is final and cannot be legally challenged.