The UN Development Programme (UNDP) revealed the finalists for the 2023 Future of Government awards, featuring digital innovators from over 50 countries. The diverse categories encompass digital advocates of the year, open source creation, open source adaptation, and the leadership award.

The awards aim to showcase emerging digital government trends and solutions, fostering connections among governments globally. Notably, digital solutions are now integral across various government functions, extending beyond digital teams to policy, frontline service delivery, and operations. The diverse shortlist includes nominees from different government bodies, showcasing applications in justice, health, and public service delivery.

The selection committee, composed of 17 members from various backgrounds, will assess nominees based on impact, behaviors promoting digital transformation, and potential for scale. The winners will be announced on February 15, 2024.

Why does it matter?

Initiatives ranging from digital government and GovTech agencies from Papua New Guinea, Madagascar, and Bhutan, as well as individual programs like the 'Tekwill in Every School' initiative, which aims to equalize IT education opportunities in the Republic of Moldova, and the Digital Identity Directorate team in Brazil, showcase a global recognition of innovation and the broad spectrum of areas where digital solutions can be effectively applied. They also contribute to the dissemination of best practices, allowing governments globally to learn from successful initiatives and potentially adopt similar strategies to enhance their own digital governance.