ABOUTWSIS Prizes 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 WSIS Prizes are an integral part of the WSIS Stocktaking Process that was set up in 2004 (Para 120, Tunis Agenda).The WSIS Prizes contest provides the platform to identify and showcase the success stories and models that could be replicated, to empower the community at the local level, to give the chance to everyone to participate in the contest and mainly to recognize the efforts of stakeholders for their added value to society and commitment towards achieving WSIS goals.The contest of WSIS Prizes is open to all stakeholders: governments, private sector, 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.The contest of WSIS Prizes 2016 is organized into five phases beginning on 13 October 2015. The 18 winners of WSIS Prizes will be honored, recognized and presented with an award during WSIS Prizes 2016 Ceremony at the WSIS Forum 2016, to be held from 2 to 6 May 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland

Source: WSIS Prizes 2016