Global Digital Economy Lighthouse Program
Identifying, recognizing, and empowering outstanding examples of digital innovation that drive sustainable progress worldwide.
Why This Program Exists
Project Background
As digital technology and sustainable development become increasingly intertwined, there's a clear demand for a platform that helps share proven solutions and align global standards.
This initiative will be jointly launched by the Digital Economy City Alliance (DEC40), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center (GSLDC), with GSLDC serving as the coordinating body for project implementation.
Our Goal
To find, recognize, and empower outstanding examples, innovative projects, and influential leaders who are using digital tools to drive real, sustainable progress. We're building a premier global network to connect ideas, set benchmarks, and foster collaboration.
Participate
We've designed two distinct tracks to capture excellence across the digital sustainability landscape.
Case Track
For companies and organizations with a proven, impactful digital practice that is ethical, measurable, tied to the UN's Global Goals (SDGs), and can be replicated by others.
Leading Figure Track
For entrepreneurs, academics, and policymakers who have demonstrated significant influence across borders or sectors and have led a flagship project with substantial sustainability impact.
Who Can Apply
Sectors We Care About
We're focusing on ten high-impact areas:
Origin of the Evaluation Framework
The core logic of this evaluation framework is derived from a systematic synthesis and integration of leading global standards for digital economy governance.
Origin: We conducted an in-depth study of the assessment frameworks from 9 international organizations (such as the World Economic Forum's Global Lighthouse Network, the ITU's Digital Skills Framework, and UNCTAD's Green and Inclusive standards), extracting their common requirements and best practices.
Design Logic
Guided by the core principles of 'Value-Driven, Data-Verified, and Inclusive', we have concretized these international standards into a quantifiable and actionable evaluation tool.
Goal Anchoring
Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the fundamental value compass.
Problem-Solving
Addressing pain points in existing assessment systems, such as 'fragmented indicators' and 'lack of regional adaptability,' by designing differentiated thresholds and a dynamic supervision mechanism.
Multi-Stakeholder Coverage
We have innovatively constructed a multi-layered evaluation matrix covering enterprises, project teams, industry associations, research institutions, and thought leaders.
Closed-Loop Verification
Emphasizing 'Data Verifiability', the framework requires cases to provide multiple forms of evidence, such as third-party audits and official data.
What We Look For
All entries must meet both general and track-specific standards.
General 'Must-Haves'
- Directly support at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
- Show a model that can work in at least two different settings or regions.
- Back up claims with real, quantifiable evidence.
Track-Specific Focus
- Case Studies: We assess how mature and well-integrated the technology is.
- Innovation Projects: We look for genuine novelty in approach or tech.
- Leaders: We evaluate the scope of their influence and the significance of their achievements.
Our review is guided by five principles
How We Evaluate
Each track has its own scored framework:
Lighthouse Case
with 12 detailed sub-criteria like use of frontier tech, environmental benefits, and support for smaller businesses.
Lighthouse Innovation Project
across 8 sub-criteria such as regulatory fit and patent ownership.
Lighthouse Leading Figure
covering 7 areas like strategic insight and job creation.
Note: We use a points-based system with clear cut-offs. Bonus points are available for elements like using generative AI or demonstrating cross-border success.
The Process & Key Dates
The journey from application to award has four stages:
Submit via one of four official websites.
Our team checks for completeness and basic fit. We expect about 40% of applications to not proceed past this stage.
Stage 1: Paper Review (Experts score anonymously; about 30% advance). Stage 2: Deep Dive (For finalists, includes checks like site visits; about 15% are filtered here).
The "Global Digital Economy Conference""AI for GOOD"(hosted in Geneva and Beijing) announces winners, presents awards, and publishes a collection of the best cases.
The Benefits of Being Selected
Selected participants gain
Prestige
Official recognition from DEC40, awarded in the form of a certified certificate presented by representatives of UN agencies (ITU, ITC).
Visibility
Featured in global reports, at the summit, in media, and in our online showcase—connecting them to potential partners worldwide.
A Voice in Shaping the Future
Priority access to forums that discuss new industry standards and policies.
Contact Us
Join the Global Digital Economy Lighthouse Program
Be part of a global movement to recognize and scale digital innovations that create real impact.