Submissions are now open for the tenth edition of the Sharjah Government Communication Award taking place from May 24 to August 15

The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) has announced that submissions are now open for the tenth edition of the Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA), which will take place from May 24 to August 15. The award is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. The first-of-its-kind prize seeks to entice communication visionaries and trailblazers from a variety of professions, both locally and on a regional and global level. The SGCA is seeking entries for 31 newly selected categories, 14 of which are geared exclusively for the Arab world and 17 of which are open to participants from all around the world.

The SGCA acknowledges and recognises exceptional communication practises with measurable effect across the government, semi-government, and commercial sectors as well as individual excellence. It has seen amazing growth and resounding accomplishments for more than a decade. The success has paved the way for a dynamic and competitive environment in the field of government communication, encouraging creativity, excellence, and innovation through a variety of categories that cover every facet of contemporary communication, from notable individuals, artistic creations, reputation and crisis management, and academic research to creative campaigns, youth and sports initiatives, Arab identity and values.

Members of the Higher Jury Committee, a select group of luminaries from the media and many academic areas, direct the review process with their experience. Five subcommittees—the Programme, Public Practise, Official Spokesperson, Personal Practise, and Campaign Jury Committees—are part of the careful review procedure that is successfully supervised by the upper committee.

Arab Category:

The 14 Arab award categories are aimed for people, groups, communication projects, and public, semi-public, and private businesses. Best Integrated Communication Campaign, Best Spokesperson, Best Government Communication Team, Best Social Responsibility Campaign, Best Communication Strategy Using Sports, Best Campaign Celebrating Arab Culture with Sub-categories, Best Campaign Supporting the Arabic Language, Best Campaign to Reinforce Arab Values and Identity, and Universities Challenge are included on the list.

The categories for Best Youth-Targeting Communications include Best Youth Initiative in Government Communication, Best Communication Programme to Support Youth Entrepreneurship and Projects, and Best Campaign for Positive Impact on Youth Awareness and Practises.

Global Categories:

Best Communication Strategy for Crisis Management, Best Food Security Programme Communication Plan, Best Communication Practises or Campaign Addressing Developmental Challenges, and Best Innovation in Communication, which includes two sub-awards: Best Innovation in Government Communication and Best Initiative within the Annual Youth Challenge, are among the 17 global categories included in this year's competition. Additionally, they include Best Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Communication to Serve Community and Best Communication Initiative or Media Content to Promote Environmental Awareness.

The SGCA has designated categories to recognise the best applied scientific research in government communication for academic and educational governmental institutions and researchers, which include two sub-award categories: Best Writer or Author in Government Communication Sciences; Best Communication Practise in Volunteer Campaign; Best Communication through Media Content; Best Visual Content for Traditional and New Media; Best Drama Work; and Best Positive Social Impact Driver. Best Individual or Group Research Award. Best Research Award from Government, Semi-Government, or Private Entity.

Application process: 

On the website www.igcc.ae, interested parties must submit an online application to be considered for the SGC Award. A Word document with the entity's name, logo, a brief description of the initiative, the submission date, a table of contents, and a preface should also be included with the application. The introduction video for the initiative should be no more than five minutes. The Word document must also contain, in no more than 200 words, details regarding the strategy, objectives, and outcomes associated with the particular award category.

The Sharjah award, the first of its type in the area, was introduced by SGMB in September 2012 with the goal of honouring exceptional government communication and media practises. With an emphasis on societal value and developing global collaboration, the prize honours people who have had a major contribution in the sector. The SGCA promotes innovative concepts that embrace cross-society cooperation to accomplish long-term objectives.