EQUALS Global Partnership · New York City
Applications are open for the EQUALS in Tech Awards 2027, a global awards programme recognizing initiatives that use technology to improve the lives of women and girls and help close the digital gender divide. The awards welcome applications from organizations and initiatives working at local, national, regional, and international levels.
First launched in 2014, the EQUALS in Tech Awards are organized by the EQUALS Global Partnership, a multisectoral network committed to advancing digital gender equality. Its founding partners include the International Telecommunication Union, UN Women, the International Trade Centre, GSMA, and United Nations University.
The 2027 edition introduces three award categories under the renewed EQUALS 2.0 framework. These categories focus on equitable access to emerging technologies, digital skills and leadership opportunities, and safer and more inclusive online environments. The awards aim to highlight practical solutions that enable women and girls to participate more fully in the digital economy and benefit from technological progress.
The EQUALS in Tech Awards celebrate initiatives that use information and communication technologies to reduce barriers faced by women and girls. These barriers may include limited access to digital tools, insufficient digital skills, underrepresentation in technology leadership, and online environments affected by harassment, violence, or exclusion.
The awards encourage applicants to demonstrate how their work responds to these challenges. Eligible initiatives may be educational programmes, digital products, technology services, community projects, policy initiatives, or other practical approaches that advance digital inclusion.
Rather than recognizing an organization simply for its overall mission, the awards assess a defined initiative or project. Applicants should be able to explain what their initiative does, who benefits from it, what results it has achieved, and how it may be expanded or adapted to other communities.
The awards are open to eligible applicants across countries and regions. Previous finalists may apply again, provided their initiative remains active and the application explains how the work has developed where relevant.
• International recognition from a global partnership committed to digital gender equality.
• Greater visibility for projects that improve technology access and opportunities for women and girls.
• Opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs, researchers, activists, investors, and leaders from different sectors.
• Membership in a community of organizations and practitioners working toward shared digital inclusion goals.
• Opportunities to promote the initiative through EQUALS communication channels and related activities.
• Potential to strengthen partnerships, public engagement, and future opportunities for collaboration.
• Recognition that may help demonstrate the initiative’s impact and potential for wider adoption.
The awards information does not specify a cash prize or guaranteed financial grant. Applicants should therefore treat the programme primarily as an opportunity for recognition, networking, and visibility.
This category recognizes initiatives that help women and girls access and benefit from emerging technologies. Eligible work may involve artificial intelligence, climate technologies, or other innovative digital tools.
Projects should explain how the technology addresses an identified barrier and how women and girls benefit from its development, availability, or use. Strong applications will demonstrate practical relevance and a clear contribution to equitable participation in the digital world.
This category recognizes initiatives that develop digital skills among women and girls and strengthen their opportunities to take on leadership roles in the digital economy.
Relevant initiatives may include digital education, technical training, career development, leadership programmes, mentoring, or other activities that help participants build capabilities and progress into technology related roles. Applicants should describe the people reached, the skills or opportunities provided, and the potential for the approach to grow.
This category focuses on initiatives that make digital environments safer, more inclusive, and more empowering for women and girls.
Eligible work may address online violence, harassment, discrimination, exclusion, or other barriers that prevent women and girls from participating fully in digital spaces. Applications should explain how the initiative improves online participation and supports meaningful access to digital opportunities.
• Applications are open worldwide.
• Eligible applicants include civil society organizations, nongovernmental organizations, government institutions, international organizations, academic institutions, research institutions, private sector entities, multistakeholder initiatives, social enterprises, and entrepreneurial ventures.
• The application must focus on a specific programme, project, initiative, product, or service.
• The proposed work must align with one of the three award categories.
• The initiative must still be ongoing at the time of application and must not have concluded.
• Applicants should demonstrate how their work advances digital gender equality or helps close the digital gender divide.
• Applications seeking recognition for an organization as a whole, without presenting a specific eligible initiative, are not accepted.
• Each application must be submitted under one award category. Separate eligible initiatives may be submitted through separate applications.
• Applicants from all countries and regions are encouraged to participate.
Eligible applications are independently reviewed against the following criteria:
• Impact: The initiative’s contribution to reducing the digital gender divide and the results achieved.
• Reach: The number of women and girls reached and the geographical scope of implementation.
• Scalability and replicability: The potential to expand the initiative or adapt it to other settings.
• Innovation: The originality of the solution, product, service, programme, or approach.
• Collaboration: The effectiveness of partnerships and engagement with relevant organizations and stakeholders.
Applicants should provide clear evidence of their initiative’s activities and results wherever possible. Explaining the problem being addressed, the people who benefit, the approach used, and the potential for continued impact can help reviewers understand the initiative’s value.
The official award information does not provide a complete fixed list of supporting documents in its general announcement. Applicants should use the official application form to confirm all required fields and attachments.
Applicants should be prepared to describe:
• The name and purpose of the initiative.
• The award category that best matches the work.
• The problem the initiative addresses and its relevance to digital gender equality.
• The activities, products, services, or methods used to address the problem.
• The women and girls reached and the initiative’s geographical coverage.
• Evidence of impact, including results or progress achieved to date.
• The initiative’s innovative features and potential to scale or be replicated.
• Relevant partnerships and stakeholder collaboration.
• The initiative’s current status and continuing activities.
These points are useful preparation guidance, not a substitute for the official application form. Applicants should follow the form’s instructions and provide any additional information it specifically requests.
New York City
EQUALS Global Partnership
End of Content.
Do you have a scholarship, job opening, grant, fellowship, or event you’d like to share with a wider audience? Opportunity Desk gives you the platform to reach thousands of students and young professionals who are actively seeking opportunities like yours.
At Opportunity Desk, we go beyond simply sharing opportunities, we make them accessible, relevant, and tailored to your growth journey.
© 2023 Created with Kredibble Creatives & IT Agency
Be the first to comment on this opportunity.