About the opportunity
The WTPO Awards, organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC), celebrate excellence, share good practices, and strengthen the global trade promotion community. For nearly 30 years, these awards have recognized innovative and impactful initiatives that strengthen exports, enhance SME competitiveness, and contribute to sustainable economic development across three main categories: Best Use of Partnerships, Best Use of Technology, and Best Initiative for Inclusive and Sustainable Trade. New for 2027, the awards also introduce the special TPO Trailblazer Award to recognize organizations implementing concrete changes aligned with their TPO Roadmaps for Excellence.
Funding and benefits
- Gain international recognition for outstanding export development achievements
- Demonstrate impact to governments, partners, and key stakeholders
- Benchmark initiatives against leading Trade Promotion Organizations worldwide
- Share innovative practices with the global trade promotion community
- Increase visibility through International Trade Centre's international communication channels
- Receive expert feedback to help strengthen future initiatives
- Connect with peers, ministers, policymakers, and the private sector at the TPO Leadership Dialogue and Global SME Ministerial
Who can apply?
- Open to Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs) from around the world
- Organizations may apply for the three main WTPO Award categories (Best Use of Partnerships, Best Use of Technology, Best Initiative for Inclusive and Sustainable Trade)
- Organizations may also apply independently for the special TPO Trailblazer Award
Required documents
- Application submission via the online form
- Details and documentation as outlined in the official Application Guide
When to apply
- Call for Applications / Launch: 21 September 2026
- Stage 1 Application Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Qualifying applicants confirmed and informed: 21 December 2026
- Stage 2 Application Deadline: 26 February 2027
- Shortlisted Finalists announced and informed: 4 May 2027
- Winners announced at the Global SME Ministerial & TPO Leadership Dialogue: 25 May 2027
How to apply
- Download and review the official Application Guide to check detailed requirements and evaluation criteria
- Prepare the submission materials for the chosen award category
- Submit the application online through the International Trade Centre benchmarking platform portal before the deadlines
Additional information
- Organizations can apply for both the standard WTPO Awards and the TPO Trailblazer Award independently without affecting eligibility for either.
- For questions regarding the awards or the application process, inquiries can be sent to wtpo-awards@intracen.org.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Your organization is a national or regional Trade Promotion Organization with proven export development or SME competitiveness initiatives.
- You have implemented impactful programs focusing on partnerships, digital technology, or inclusive and sustainable trade.
- You want to benchmark your institutional achievements against global peers and gain high-level international visibility.
- You plan to attend or engage with the global trade and investment community at the TPO Leadership Dialogue and Global SME Ministerial.
What should you think carefully about?
- Submissions require adherence to a strict two-stage application timeline ending in November 2026 and February 2027.
- Preparing a competitive, evidence-based submission requires internal data collection and documentation of initiative outcomes.
- Participation involves meeting specific criteria detailed in the official application guides for either the main categories or the Trailblazer award.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This opportunity is ideal for Trade Promotion Organization leaders looking to validate their institutional impact, showcase successful export strategies internationally, and connect with global policymakers and trade experts.
Our take
Eligible Trade Promotion Organizations with strong, innovative trade development initiatives should seriously consider applying to gain global recognition and join an international network of leading trade bodies.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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