NGO Awards 2024: Kenyan Workers, Celebrities And Organisations To Bag Awards After KSh 196b Funding

• The inaugural NGOs Awards 2024, scheduled for November 29, will take place in Nairobi, Kenya
• The organisers of the first-ever event in the NGO sector chose the country's capital as a hub for most NGOs
• NGO regulator, the Public Benefit Organisations Regulatory Authority, announced the commencement of nominations

Nominations for the inaugural NGOs Awards 2024 have kicked off and will run until September 30, 2024.

The much-anticipated event, scheduled for November 29th in Nairobi, will bring together the finest non-governmental organizations, journalists, celebrities, donors, public benefit initiatives, and community champions across Kenya.

Organisations and individuals can log in to the awards website to nominate themselves or others.

NGO Awards 2024 categories

The awards ceremony will be held on November 29, 2024, and will recognise outstanding contributions in 23 categories. Winners will receive different prizes and a permanent badge for use in online and offline communication materials.

The categories include Best in HealthCare Award, Best in Children Award, Best in Education Award, Disability Inclusion Award, Best in Humanitarian Award, Best in Agriculture Award, Best in Environment and Climate Change Award, Best in Women and girl child empowerment award, Best in Governance and Human Rights, Best in Water and Sanitation,

Campaign of the Year, 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 2024, NGOs Partnership of the Year, Government Partnership of the Year, Corporate Partnership of the Year, Best use of Technology and Digital Transformation, NGO of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.

The categories will honour diverse organisations and people, from NGOs, journalists, celebrities with humanitarian causes, and changemakers.

The awards aim to recognise the tireless efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to improving lives and making a lasting impact on society.

Benefits of NGO awards

The NGOs regulator organises the award, the Public Benefit Organisations Regulatory Authority (formerly the NGOs Board)

PBORA’s acting Director General Lindon Otieno shared the significance of the awards, adding that the sector received KSh 196 billion in funding in 2023, employed 79,350 people, and is thus a significant player in Kenya’s development.

A report released by the authority this year showed that North America accounted for 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, based on NGOs' annual returns to the authority in 2023, showed that organizations focusing 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, Kisumu (421) and Nakuru (385). Bomet (67) and Elgeyo Marakwet (71) had the least number of NGOs implementing projects there.

“The NGOs Awards 2024 thus offer a unique opportunity to shine a light on the incredible work being done by NGOs across Kenya. This is not just a celebration but a call to action, encouraging others to join in the mission of transforming our communities," said Otieno.

The regulator has partnered with Awesome Concepts Limited to hold the event.

Mr Leonard Ndungu, the Managing Director of Awesome Concepts Limited, the event's organisers, said Nairobi was chosen because it is the hub of NGOs in the region and the core of humanitarian efforts.

“Changemakers are vital in society and their stories of resilience, innovation, and dedication serve as an inspiration to all Kenyans. This event aims not to just recognise changemakers and tell their stories, but also reward them,” he added.

The awards are generously sponsored by leading organizations such as Public Benefit Organisations Regulatory Authority, Kenya Yearbook, Bonfire Adventures, Qatar Airways, Plan International, World Relief, Reel Informatics and Awesome Concepts Limited.