eNorth East 2026 — Header
info@enortheast.in
October 23–24, 2026 · Shillong, Meghalaya
9th Edition — Nominations Open
9th eNorth East Award 2026
9th Edition · Nominations Open

9th eNorth East
Award 2026

"Sustainable & Resilient Internet Governance in the Himalayan Region"

October 23–24, 2026
NEHU Campus, Shillong, Meghalaya
Nomination Deadline: 30 September 2026
Submit Nomination View Categories How It Works
Nomination Deadline
30 Sept
2026
Last date for all nominations
Event
Oct 23–24, 2026
Venue
NEHU Campus, Shillong
Edition
9th eNorth East Award
Categories
15 Award Categories
Nominate Now →
9thEdition Since 2010
200+Innovations Documented
15Award Categories
8Northeast States
About the Award

Celebrating Digital Innovation for a Better Northeast

eNorth East Award
9th Edition · 2026
15Categories
2026Edition Year
200+Past Innovations
UN SDGsAligned Framework

The eNorth East Award is India's premier platform for identifying, recognising, and celebrating digital innovations that are transforming lives across the eight states of Northeast India.

Since its founding in 2010, the Award has documented over 200 digital innovations in areas spanning education, health, agriculture, livelihood, culture, governance, and the environment — all within the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 framework.

The 9th edition invites nominations from government departments, private companies, civil society organisations, academic institutions, startups, and individuals whose work is creating measurable impact in the Northeast region. Innovations are evaluated by a panel of expert judges across 15 categories.

Winners receive a Certificate and Scroll of Recognition signed by the expert screening panel, and are invited to join the North East Sustainable Development Advocacy programme — gaining a platform to connect with government, private sector, donors, and CSR partners.

Who Can Nominate
Government departments, private companies, NGOs, academic institutions, startups, and individuals from all 8 NE states.
Deadline
All nominations must be submitted by 30 September 2026. Late entries will not be considered.
Award Categories

15 Categories Aligned with UN SDGs

Nominations are invited across 15 categories reflecting the breadth of digital innovation needed for sustainable development in Northeast India. Each category is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 framework.

01
Government & Citizen Engagement
Digital solutions improving delivery of government services, citizen entitlements, and public accountability.
02
Learning & Education
Technology-driven solutions enhancing access to quality education, learning outcomes, and skills development.
03
Health & Well-being
Digital innovations improving healthcare access, patient outcomes, and public health in the Northeast region.
04
Agriculture & Rural Development
ICT solutions empowering farmers, improving agricultural productivity, and supporting rural livelihoods.
05
Livelihood & Enterprise Development
Digital platforms and tools supporting employment generation, skill building, and enterprise growth.
06
Social & Financial Inclusion
Solutions bridging social and financial gaps — reaching the last mile with banking, welfare, and digital identity services.
07
Women Empowerment
Technology-led interventions that advance gender equality and expand opportunities for women across NER.
08
Culture, Heritage & Tourism
Digital solutions preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge, and tourism of NER.
09
Environment & Climate Change
ICT innovations addressing environmental challenges, climate resilience, and sustainable natural resource management.
10
Smart Settlements & Urbanisation
Digital solutions for smarter, more sustainable urban and peri-urban development across NE cities and towns.
11
Micro Entrepreneurship & MSMEs
Technology enabling micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses to scale, formalise, and access markets.
12
Mobile for Development
Mobile-first solutions delivering services, information, and empowerment to communities across NER.
13
Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure
Innovations expanding internet reach, community networks, and digital infrastructure in remote Himalayan areas.
14
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Digital solutions advancing access to clean water, improved sanitation, and hygiene practices in NER communities.
15
Emerging Technologies for Development
Applications of AI, ML, blockchain, IoT, and other emerging technologies for social and development impact in NER.
Eligibility

Who Can Apply

The 9th eNorth East Award is open to a wide range of organisations and individuals working on digital innovation for development in the Northeast region.

Who Can Nominate
  • State and central government departments and agencies
  • Private sector companies and technology firms
  • Civil society organisations and NGOs
  • Academic institutions, universities, and research bodies
  • Startups and social enterprises
  • Community-based organisations and SHGs
  • Individual innovators and practitioners
  • Organisations from all 8 Northeast states
What Can Be Nominated
  • Digital products, platforms, apps, and services
  • Technology-driven programmes and initiatives
  • Innovative use of ICT for community development
  • Demonstrated impact on target communities
  • Solutions operational for at least 6 months
  • Self-nominations and third-party nominations both accepted
  • Innovations already awarded in previous eNE editions
  • Innovations with no demonstrable community impact
Process

How the Award Works

The nomination and selection process is designed to be open, transparent, and multi-stakeholder — from submission through to recognition at the Forum.

01
Submit Nomination
Fill the online nomination form with details of the innovation, impact evidence, and supporting materials. Deadline: 30 Sept 2026.
02
Initial Screening
All nominations are reviewed by the eNorth East secretariat for completeness and basic eligibility criteria.
03
Expert Jury Review
A multi-disciplinary jury of experts evaluates shortlisted nominations on impact, innovation, scalability, and relevance to NER.
04
Recognition at Forum
Winners and special mentions are announced and recognised at the 9th eNorth East Forum on Oct 23–24, 2026 in Shillong.
Selection Criteria
Innovations are evaluated on: community impact, innovation & creativity, scalability & replicability, sustainability, and relevance to Northeast India's development priorities.
Documentation
All recognised innovations are documented and published in the eNorth East Award Book — contributing to a permanent repository of NER's best digital practices.
Recognition

What Winners Receive

The eNorth East Award offers more than a certificate — it opens doors to advocacy networks, policymakers, and development partners across the Northeast and beyond.

🏆
Winner
Certificate & Scroll of Winner signed by expert screening panel judges. Formal recognition at the award ceremony in Shillong before a multi-stakeholder audience.
🎖️
Special Mention
Certificate of Special Mention recognising outstanding innovations that demonstrate strong impact and innovation even if not selected as category winners.
📄
Certificate of Participation
All shortlisted innovations receive a Certificate of Participation signed by panel experts — acknowledging their contribution to digital development in NER.
📢 Advocacy Platform
Join the North East Sustainable Development Advocacy programme and represent your innovation at national dialogues.
🤝 Stakeholder Network
Direct engagement with government bodies, private sector companies, donors, and CSR networks working in NER.
📖 Published Repository
Your innovation is documented and published in the eNorth East Award Book — a permanent reference for researchers and policymakers.
Submit Your Nomination

9th eNorth East Award 2026

Fill in the form below to nominate a digital innovation for the 9th eNorth East Award. All fields marked with * are required.

Thank you! Your nomination has been submitted successfully. We'll be in touch soon.
Nominator Details
Innovation Details
0 / 600
0 / 600
Before You Submit
  • Ensure your innovation has been operational for at least 6 months
  • Prepare a brief description (max 600 characters) and impact evidence
  • Choose the most relevant award category from the 15 available
  • Self-nominations and third-party nominations are both welcome
  • One organisation can submit nominations in multiple categories
  • All submissions are reviewed by an independent expert jury
Key Dates
  • Nominations Open: Now
  • Nomination Deadline: 30 September 2026
  • Shortlist Announced: October 2026
  • Award Ceremony: October 23–24, 2026
  • Venue: NEHU Campus, Shillong, Meghalaya
Need Help?

For queries about the nomination process, categories, or eligibility, contact us at [email protected] or visit our contact page.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to nominate?
Any government department, private company, NGO, academic institution, startup, community organisation, or individual working on a digital innovation for development in the Northeast region can nominate. Both self-nominations and third-party nominations are accepted.
Can an organisation nominate in multiple categories?
Yes. An organisation can submit separate nominations for different innovations in multiple categories. Each nomination is evaluated independently. However, the same innovation cannot be submitted under multiple categories.
Is there a nomination fee?
No. The eNorth East Award nomination process is entirely free of charge. There is no fee to submit a nomination or to participate in the award process.
What if my innovation operates across multiple NE states?
Multi-state innovations are welcome and eligible. Select "Multiple NE States" or "Pan-NER" in the state of operation field. Innovations with a broader Northeast India impact are encouraged to apply.
How are nominations evaluated?
A multi-disciplinary expert jury evaluates all shortlisted nominations on five criteria: community impact, innovation and creativity, scalability and replicability, sustainability, and relevance to Northeast India's development priorities.
Will I be notified about the outcome?
Yes. All nominators will be notified by email about the status of their nomination. Shortlisted nominees will be contacted with further details about the award ceremony and participation requirements.
Does the nominated innovation have to be from NER?
The innovation must primarily operate in and serve communities in the Northeast region. The nominating organisation can be based outside NER, but the innovation's impact must be demonstrably in the Northeast states.
Can past eNorth East Award winners re-apply?
Innovations that have already been recognised as winners in a previous eNorth East Award edition are not eligible for re-nomination in the same category. However, an organisation can nominate a different, new innovation.