Seoul Smart City Prize 2026: Applications Now Open

The Seoul Smart City Prize, a globally recognized initiative celebrating innovative urban solutions, is now accepting applications for its 2026 awards. Launched by the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) in collaboration with the City of Seoul, the prize aims to identify and promote impactful smart city projects from around the world.

About the Seoul Smart City Prize

Since its inception in 2023, the Seoul Smart City Prize has become a key platform for sharing best practices in smart city development. The prize emphasizes “practical problem-solving capacity” as a benchmark for successful urban innovation, attracting over 200 submissions annually from approximately 50 countries [SMG]. The initiative welcomes participation from cities of all sizes and fiscal capacities, fostering inclusivity in the global smart city movement.

Prize Categories

The 2026 Seoul Smart City Prize features several categories to recognize diverse achievements in urban innovation:

• Human-Centricity: Recognizing projects that prioritize the needs and well-being of citizens.
• Tech-Innovacity: Highlighting projects that leverage cutting-edge technology to address urban challenges.
• Leadership: Awarding visionary leaders who champion smart city initiatives.
• Special Mention: Acknowledging exceptional projects that demonstrate unique innovation.

Eligibility and Application Details

Local and regional governments are eligible to submit projects that demonstrate measurable impact and innovation in areas such as mobility, safety, environment, welfare, digital governance, and urban services.

Key Dates:

• Application Period: February 13 – May 29, 2026 [SMG]
• Award Ceremony: October 6, 2026, at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu [SMG]

Benefits of Winning

Winning projects will receive international recognition, opportunities for global promotion, participation in capacity-building programs, and potential collaboration opportunities [WeGO].

How to Apply

Detailed information about the call for applications and the application process can be found here.

Looking Ahead

The Seoul Smart City Prize continues to play a vital role in fostering a global community of smart city innovators. By recognizing and promoting impactful solutions, the prize contributes to building more sustainable, resilient, and citizen-centric urban environments worldwide.