Nominations for first NGO awards targeting institutions, celebrities and journalists rolled out

The nominations will be open from today, August 28 to September 30, to organisations and individuals who wish to nominate themselves or other parties ahead of the awards ceremony on November 29.

According to a statement from the Awards board, the ceremony will recognise outstanding contributions in 23 categories, with winners receiving various prizes and a permanent badge to use in online and offline communication materials.

"The categories will honour diverse organisations and people- from NGOs, journalists, celebrities with humanitarian causes to changemakers- with an aim of recognizing the tireless efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to improving lives, making a lasting impact on society," reads the statement in part.

The categories include the best in;

HealthCare, children, education, disability inclusion, humanitarian, agriculture, environment and climate change, women and girl child empowerment, governance and Human Rights, water and sanitation and campaign of the year.

Other categories include the best fundraising team of the year, boss of the year, celebrity champion of the year, best journalist in coverage of NGOs, best use of social media, people’s hero, NGOs partnership, government partnership, corporate partnership, best use of technology and digital transformation, NGO of the year and lifetime achievement award 

The initiative is led by NGOs regulator the Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority (PBORA), formerly the NGOs Board. 

PBORA’s acting Director General Lindon Otieno expressed the importance of the awards adding that the sector received Ksh.196 billion in funding in 2023 and employed 79,350 people indicating the sector's significance in Kenya's development.

A report released by the authority in 2024 showed that North America formed 45.2% of the total inflows for NGOs followed by Europe with 38.6%

while 21.7% of the funds received came from Africa.

The report, which is based on NGOs' annual returns to the authority in 2023, showed that organizations that focus on health received 33.4% of the total funds donated and those focusing on Children and Relief followed at 11.1% and 10.23% respectively.

Nairobi had the highest number of NGOs implementing projects at 1,192 NGOs among them 421 in Kisumu, Nakuru (385), Bomet (67) and Elgeyo Marakwet (71).

Applicants have been advised to submit their nominations to www.ngosawards.com.