Taking Action on the SDG's | Strictly for People Under the Age of 26 | Market Ready

The WSA Young Innovators Award is an open call for digital solutions (applications, projects, or products) driving positive change, created by young people under the age of 26 from all UN and UNESCO member states.

Eligibility and criteria

• WSA Young Innovators is open to any start-up, social entrepreneur, company, NGO, student group, project team, or individual.
• At least one of the founding members and the majority of the team must be under the age of 26 (born on or after January 1, 1999).
• The solution must have a digital component, but there is no limitation regarding the platforms or channels the solutions work with - submissions can be for example mobile apps, web pages, applications for wearables, kiosk installations, SMS based products, games, and interactive productions.
• The solution should create positive changes in society or the environment and contribute to at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• All submissions must be launched and on the market, with proven social impact. No ideas, drafts, prototypes, or incomplete solutions can be accepted.

Benefits of the Young Innovators Award

• Make connections and get knowledge at the WSA Global Congress!
  At the Global Congress all winners get to present their solutions to a global audience of experts, impact entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors. There are workshops focused on winners' skill-building, and the interactive program gives them many chances to build valuable connections.
• Gain global visibility!
  The world needs to know about your solution! All winning solutions will be celebrated and featured in WSA's communications, including the WSA catalogue, website, social media, newsletters, and press releases. Additionally, you'll get a WSA Winners Seal to show potential investors that your solution has been recognised on a global level.
• Discover global innovations!
  Get to know game-changing innovators and impact entrepreneurs solving social problems all over the world and transfer their solutions and learnings to your local context.
• Join the WSA community of social innovation experts and enthusiasts!
  Join a devoted multi-stakeholder community of changemakers and industry leaders driving positive impact through digital innovation. Be the first to know about amazing opportunities and learn, grow, collaborate, and exchange knowledge with network members.
• Gain competition experience!
  Fill in the application, explain the purpose and impact of your innovation, refine your presentation, and have it reviewed by a global WSA Jury. Attend the Congress and learn how to make the most of network capital to support your and your solution's future.

Timeline

Jury Process

The Jury process for the Young Innovators is a democratic and transparent system to guarantee a fair and diverse selection of digital best practices. After being submitted, the solutions go through a 2-tier Jury process.

The Young Innovators Online Jury starts shortly after the call closes. The Online Jury’s work ends with the decision on the shortlisted solutions. The Young Innovators Grand Jury then convenes to discuss and debate the shortlisted solutions and finally decides the winners. The WSA Young Innovators 2025 winners will be chosen in January 2026.

Learn more

The WSA Young Innovators - check out former winners!