The innovation competition is open to anyone who can respond to the above topics with a project that is already in operation but needs to be developed or a digital solution that is about to be implemented.

In the Digital Education category, one can apply entries that make learning and education easier, more efficient, or more enjoyable for students, teachers or parents through technology.

In the Digital Health category, Vodafone Foundation expects solutions that – with the help of technology – contribute to making healthcare more efficient or support the popularity of digital devices in the health sector.

In the Planet and Sustainability category, innovative digital solutions are expected that contribute to the widespread dissemination of environmental awareness and the protection of the environment.

“In defining this year’s categories, we have taken into account the existing and emerging challenges of our society, including the issue of environmental protection as well as the difficulties posed by the pandemic in the fields of education and health. The recent period has highlighted the need to act more effectively in these areas and, in addition to our own corporate activities, to encourage individuals and businesses to embrace these areas, which are vital to the functioning of our society. ” – said Anita Orbán, external affairs director of Vodafone Hungary, member of the board.

Applications for the Vodafone Digital Award are expected by both individuals and businesses – including non-profit organizations and startups. The total prize value of the competition is HUF 15 million.

"As a result of the pandemic, telecommunications and technology play a more important role in our lives than ever before, as they allow us to keep in touch with our loved ones, to learn and to work. Our lives may never be the same as before, but this change is also an opportunity to create a better, more sustainable digital world together. That is why great innovators who use their digital solutions to improve education and health and to create sustainability have a huge role to play," said Amanda Nelson, CEO of Vodafone Hungary.

In 2021, digital education, health and sustainability experts join the Vodafone Digital Award jury. Alongside with Károly Balázs Solymár (chairman of the jury, Deputy Secretary of State for Digitalization, Ministry for Innovation and Technology) and Anita Orbán, Gergely Litkai (owner and production manager of Dumaszínház), Veronika Pistyur (managing director of Bridge Budapest), Katalin Sipos (country manager of WWF Hungary), Sándor Erdős (Digital Hospital angel), and Dorka Váczi (Digital Education angel) as well will evaluate the incoming applications.

Károly Balázs Solymár commented, "There has been an unprecedented increase in the needs of professionals working on the field of digitalization, who are able to see through this complex system from different perspectives and develop solutions that make our lives better and more efficient. Our key task is to make Hungary one of the firsts in the development and use of infocommunication-based 5G services, and for this we need highly qualified professionals. Future is created by such young IT experts, who are fexible, innovative and able to constantly improve their ideas. I think we are on the right track, as initiatives such as the Vodafone Digital Award serve to achieve these goals."