The contest of the WSIS Project Prizes 2013 has been launched. WSIS Project Prizes is a unique recognition for excellence in the implementation of WSIS outcomes.

This initiative is an immediate response to the requests expressed by WSIS stakeholders during the WSIS Forum 2011: to create a mechanism to evaluate and reward stakeholders for their efforts in the implementation of WSIS outcomes.

The contest of WSIS Project Prizes is open to all stakeholders: governments, private sectors, civil society, international organizations, academia and others. The contest comprises 18 categories that are directly linked to the WSIS Action Lines outlined in the Geneva Plan of Action.  

United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution 2012/5 “Assessment of the progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society” reiterates the importance of sharing the best practices at the global level, and while recognizing excellence in the implementation of the projects and initiatives which further the WSIS goals, encourages all stakeholders to nominate their projects to the annual WSIS Project Prizes, as an integral part of the WSIS Stocktaking process, while noting the report on the WSIS Success Stories.

The contest is organized into four phases:

• Phase One
Submission of project descriptions
3 September – 16 December 2012 (TIME: 23:00 Geneva time)
• Phase Two
Voting by the members of the WSIS Stocktaking Platform
14 January 2013 – 15 March 2013 (TIME: 23:00 Geneva time)Geneva time)
• Phase Three
Compilation of extended descriptions of the winning projects and preparation of “WSIS Stocktaking: Success Stories 2013”. The release of publication is schedule to be at the WSIS Forum 2013.
• Phase Four
The WSIS Project Prize Ceremony that will be hosted at the WSIS Forum 2013 on 13 May 2013 followed by Showcasing Roundtable 2013 “Mapping the impact of winning projects” and WSIS Gala Dinner.

The WSIS Project Prizes 2013 contest is an occasion to showcase projects. The 18 winners of WSIS Project Prizes will be honored, recognized and presented with an award at the Prize Ceremony at the WSIS Forum (May, Geneva). The winners will also have the opportunity to network, present and promote their projects at an international level, share knowledge and experience as well as learn about other best practices and models which further the WSIS goals.

For more information please visit www.wsis.org/stocktaking/prizes