Global Lighthouse Network

Application Resources

Thank you for your interest in applying to be a member of the Global Lighthouse Network – we are excited to learn more about your 4IR journey, and the exceptional innovations and learnings you have developed that can help shape the future of manufacturing and value chains across the globe.

This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about the application process. If you need further information about the Network or require additional clarification, please contact us at: LighthouseNetwork@weforum.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Please find here an overview of frequently asked questions before, during and after the Global Lighthouse Network Application Process.

Guiding Principles

Please find below the guiding principles for the Global Lighthouse Network. 

Lighthouses are physical sites / locations where physical outputs are produced or transported as part of the real economy
  • Companies eligible to apply operate sites with physical output and transport, including for example factories, construction sites, warehouses, utility facilities (power, water), etc. 
  • Lighthouse impact is measured relative to the operations of, or products flowing through, the designated site or value chain.
Lighthouse solutions are replicable ‘building blocks’ that have proven impact on operations
  • The Global Lighthouse Network does not endorse specific products or services. It recognizes solutions and approaches with proven financial and/or operational impact 
  • For example, A product or design innovation is not a solution; instead, the product twin or process that enabled the design innovation or the technology use case that enabled the manufacturing of the innovation is the solution. 
Lighthouses implement multiple solutions and unique approaches for holistic, transformative impact within their award domain
  • Significant and holistic impact on multiple key KPIs must be achieved based on the ‘impact area’ (e.g., a ‘Decarbonization’ Lighthouse is expected to achieve a deep impact on scope 1-3 emissions & energy consumption) 
  • Usually, 10-30+ solutions are implemented (4IR use cases, workforce programs, sustainability interventions, etc.), with the ‘top’ solutions assessed during the Lighthouse application and evaluated by an independent expert panel. 
Lighthouses, once designated, are expected to learn from and share learnings with the community
  • A ‘Lighthouse award’ is a commitment to participate in sharing programmes, follow-up interviews, and to attend related community events / sharing calls in the year after achieving a Lighthouse designation.
  • Non-Forum partners can be granted access to select events for a defined time after Lighthouse designation. 

Global Lighthouse Network

A World Economic Forum Initiative
© 2026 All rights reserved
Privacy Policy & Terms of Service