Applications are now open for the 2027 ITU Equals in Tech Awards, which recognise efforts at the global, regional, and national levels that use technology to transform the lives of women and girls, with a closing deadline of November 7, 2026, at 23:59 CET.
First launched in 2014, the awards have been renewed under the EQUALS 2.0 framework, and the 2027 edition introduces three award categories aligned with the partnership’s current workstreams. Winners receive recognition from a global, multisectoral partnership committed to gender equality in the digital age, join a strong community of support, and expand their networks.
The Three Award Categories
Equals is seeking applications for initiatives of all sizes, from every region, in the following categories:
Safe and Inclusive Digital Spaces Award
For initiatives that promote safe, inclusive, and empowering digital environments in which women and girls can participate fully and benefit from digital technologies, free from online violence, harassment, and exclusion.
Emerging Tech for Inclusion Award
For initiatives, programmes, products, or services that promote equitable access to and benefits from emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, climate technologies, and other innovative digital tools, for women and girls.
Digital Skills & Leadership Pathways Award
For initiatives that equip women and girls with digital skills, strengthen their leadership capabilities and opportunities, and provide scalable pathways to leadership roles in the digital economy.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open worldwide to civil society and non-governmental organisations, government institutions, international organisations, academic and research institutions, private-sector entities, multi-stakeholder initiatives, social enterprises, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Three conditions govern eligibility:
- Each application must present a specific programme, initiative, or project aligned with one of the three categories
- The programme, initiative, or project must still be ongoing and must not have concluded at the time of application
- Applications seeking recognition for an organisation as a whole are not eligible
What Winners Get
Winning an Equals in Tech Award is less about prize money and more about positioning. Winners join a strong, active community of support and expand their networks among organisations with shared goals.
The award opens doors to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, activists, researchers, and leaders from intergovernmental agencies, academia, and the private sector. The Equals partnership also frequently asks winners to promote their work through various channels, giving successful initiatives a global platform they would struggle to buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Equals in Tech Awards?
Organisations of all types worldwide, including civil society and NGOs, government institutions, international organisations, academic and research institutions, private-sector entities, multi-stakeholder initiatives, social enterprises, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Can individuals apply?
No. Applications must present a specific programme, initiative, or project, and applications seeking recognition for an organisation as a whole are not eligible.
What are the three award categories?
The Safe and Inclusive Digital Spaces Award, the Emerging Tech for Inclusion Award, and the Digital Skills and Leadership Pathways Award, all aligned with the EQUALS 2.0 framework’s workstreams.
What is the application deadline?
November 7, 2026, at 23:59 CET.
Must the initiative still be running?
Yes. The programme, initiative, or project must be ongoing and must not have concluded at the time of application.
Do winners receive funding?
The award offers recognition, a community of support, network expansion, and promotional opportunities through the Equals partnership’s channels, rather than direct prize funding.
