CAPAM AWARDS

Progress of any kind begins with innovators who challenge the status quo and continuously seek to change reality for the better.  These creative thinkers have the vision to grasp new ideas and the drive to adapt them to long standing public service challenges.  Establishing change, especially in large organizations like the public service, requires tact to overcome the inertia of complacency, tenacity to learn from inevitable setbacks, and commitment to sustain the task of bringing new concepts into reality. 

What are the CAPAM International Innovations Awards?

The CAPAM International Innovations Awards celebrates the spirit of innovation in the public service by recognizing organizations that have made significant contributions to improving governance and services in the public sector.  In so doing, the award hopes to inspire and encourage innovators to improve public service governance, and the quality of life of citizens, communities and nations. 

Each year, we receive submissions from across the Commonwealth countries in all sectors of the public service.  The CAPAM International Innovations award is the only international public sector award that recognizes and celebrates innovation in the public service.

How are the winners selected?

The CAPAM International Innovations Awards are adjudicated by an international panel of esteemed public service professionals typically representing at least 10 different Commonwealth countries.

Celebrating Public Service Innovation in 4 key areas:

1)  Innovations in Public Service Management

In many countries, the Public Service is the largest organization in terms of employment, budget and impact on society.  Effective administration of this large and complex enterprise is an essential element in the development and growth of the Nation.  With the diversity of circumstances and socio-economic situations, fundamental principles of good management, leadership, and transparent accountability require innovative adaptations for effective implementation.

2)  Innovations in Government Services and Programmes

The fundamental role of the Public Service is to enhance the welfare of its citizens.  Services and programmes range from strategies to control disease, extending healthcare and educational services, to facilitating routine transactions with government organizations.  With limited human and financial resources, optimizing government investments for the greatest public good will require innovative policies, pioneering strategies and inventive implementation.

3)  Innovations in Citizen Engagement and Dialogue

Democratic societies place a high premium on engaging citizen dialogue to foster mutual understanding and to mediate decisions.  With the plurality of citizen interests based on geographical, societal and economic differences, maintaining an open dialog with citizens and sustaining effective democratic processes require innovative strategies and processes.

4)  Innovative Use of Technology in the Public Service

Despite two decades of advancements in information and communications technologies (ICT), their rate of growth is still accelerating.  While there have been many successes in adapting these technologies to serve the Public Service, there have also been spectacular failures.  Innovations are needed in managing these technologies to harness their potential for effective Public Service Operations.

How are submissions evaluated?

The following criteria are used to evaluate all submissions to the awards programme.

1)   The Innovation

Innovation is about putting new ideas into useful practice.  Particular attention will be paid to:

• What is the element(s) of the idea that makes it new, unique and innovative?
• How does the idea change thinking and perception about a problem and its solution?
• How does this new understanding translate into useful practices that are of benefit to the Public Service and the citizens that it serves?

2)  Effectiveness

Not all innovations or new ideas have enduring benefits.  Has sufficient time passed to demonstrate results, and thereby the initiative’s effectiveness?

Particular attention will be paid to:

• Independent assessments on the results achieved from the innovation.
• the costs of implementation and quantifiable benefits achieved

3)  Long Term Significance

Does the innovation change how specific challenges and opportunities are perceived?  Are there opportunities to adapt or expand the application of this innovation to other domains? 

Particular attention will be paid to:

-       How the innovation has changed the understanding and analysis of similar challenges?

-       The potential benefit of the innovation for the sponsoring country, the region and across the Commonwealth?

4)  Transferable Lessons Learned

What are the lessons learned in the identification, formulation and implementation of the innovations.  Particular attention will be paid to:

• Valuable insights into the innovation process in the public service.
• Strategies for maximizing benefits while minimizing risks in the implementation of new ideas and change in the Public Service.

Submissions must also include:

-        A 50 word Executive Summary of your project

-       Approx. 100 words that outlines the context in which your innovation has been implemented and any factors that should be considered by the jury.  Particular emphasis should be placed on strategies that are adopted to adapt the innovation to local circumstances, and lesson learned and approaches used to overcome difficulties in the implementation process.

-       A 1500 - word description of the project that fully addresses the criteria above

Awards Schedule

Deadline for Submissions (March 31, 2012)

Short list of semi-finalists (June 2012)

Finalists for each category (July 2012)

All finalists will be invited to make presentations to the Jury at the 2012 CAPAM Biennial Conference, Delhi, India (October 24 – 26, 2012)

Winners (1 for each category, 1 overall gold medal winner) will be announced at the President’s Banquet at the end of the conference.

Click below to access the complete awards brochure:

http://www.capam.org/_documents/brochure_iia_2012.pdf

For more information, please email capam@capam.org.

This year, we will be accepting submissions online (preferred), please click on the link below to access this form:

http://www.capam.org/awards/application/

Past Awards Winners and Jury Members:

 2010 CAPAM International Innovations Awards Winners

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

1998