The UfM launches “Women in AI Awards” to support women-led innovation in artificial intelligence
7 April 2025. The Women in AI Awards is an initiative aimed at celebrating and empowering women-led AI projects. Organized by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in partnership with allWomen and supported by the German Agency for International Development Cooperation (GIZ), the awards seek to elevate the visibility and impact of women innovators shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI). By recognizing groundbreaking projects that tackle pressing challenges and drive innovation, the initiative contributes to a more inclusive and diverse AI ecosystem—one where ideas thrive, collaboration strengthens, and opportunities multiply.
Despite the growing contributions of women in AI, they continue to face significant barriers, including underrepresentation, limited access to networks, funding, and visibility. These awards aim to support women-led AI projects by providing recognition, resources, and a platform to amplify their impact.
Women originally from Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Palestine, Tunisia, and Türkiye are invited to participate, including those living abroad in one of the UfM member states. The awards are open to both individuals and teams, provided at least 80% of team members identify as women and are actively involved in the technical development and/or hold leadership roles (including C-level positions) in the project. Entrepreneurs, startups, and teams within companies of all sizes are encouraged to apply. Projects, products, or services that have been implemented and are creating an impact, as well as those still in development with a clear vision and tangible progress, are eligible for submission.
The awards will recognize projects across three categories: Most Disruptive Innovation, Most Socially Impactful Project, and Most Sustainable AI Initiative. For each category, four finalists will be selected and invited to be fully sponsored to Istanbul for the awards ceremony and a capacity-building workshop. In the case of team applications, one representative will be invited.
Applications open on 7 April 2025, with a submission deadline of 21 April 2025. Finalists will be announced on 5 May 2025, leading up to the award ceremony on 27 May 2025 morning, followed by the capacity-building workshop in Istanbul, Türkiye.
