BudgIT opens awards to promote transparency

A civic tech organisation, BudgIT Foundation, has called for nominations for its 2023 Active Citizens Awards.

The award recognises individuals and organisations contributing to social change and good governance in their communities.

The firm, during a press briefing on Monday at Yaba, Lagos State, said the award was to promote transparency and accountability in governance.

This year’s edition, themed, ‘Trailblazers of Change: Pioneering Solutions, Shaping the Future,’ will hold on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

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BudgIT said it had introduced two new categories “to acknowledge and appreciate diverse forms of civic engagement and innovative approaches to addressing societal challenges.”

The two newly introduced categories are the Health Activism Award and Climate Change Activism Award, aside from the existing 11 categories.

According to the foundation, the new categories will encourage and reward innovative approaches addressing contemporary challenges in governance and sustainable development.

The Country Director for BudgIT Foundation, Nigeria, Gabriel Okeowo, said, “The Active Citizen Award is not an award that we are running to generate profit; it is not an award that is paid for and it is not sponsored by any private firm or individual, it is strictly to recognise organisations and institutions making impact in the lives of people and making impact in our governance space in Nigeria.”

Interested individuals and organisations are encouraged to submit entries through BudgIT’s official website or contact the dedicated awards committee.

Following the nomination phase, a panel of judges consisting of experts from various fields will review the submissions and select the finalists for each category.

The firm said candidates are expected to have demonstrated “exceptional commitment and achievements in promoting transparency, accountability, citizen engagement, digital innovation, or environmental sustainability.”