The first ever public sector communications awards have been launched for public sector communicators in the UK to have their hard work recognised.
They’ve been developed and awarded by the leading public sector professions Government Communication Service @UKGovComms, LG Comms, FirePRO, Association of Police Communicators with media partner the Guardian Public Leaders Network.
The new awards celebrate excellence in public sector communications campaigns and programmes for 2013/14. They are free to enter and open to all public sector communications professionals, central and local government, health, emergency services and wider organisations in the UK.
Winning entries will be selected by a panel of senior communications professionals drawn from public sector organisations, professional bodies, academia and media sponsor the Guardian Public Leaders Network.
About the awards, categories and criteria
There is only one category for the awards – excellence in public sector communications campaigns and programmes.
Regardless of discipline, budget or channel, the “best of the best” is being sought. This is everything from large budget TV campaigns, to grass roots community engagement or organisational change communications – excellence is the key factor.
A panel of senior public sector communications professionals will assess entries against the Government Communication Service professional competency framework the 4 I’s – Insight, Ideas, Implementation and Impact.
Celebrating Excellence – the winners
Ten winners will be selected with the opportunity to present to peers at a special event as part of Comms Academy 2014, Manchester, 11 -13 June 2014, one overall winner will be awarded at this event.
Government Communication Service, LG Comms, FirePRO, Association of Police Communicators will profile winners and feature case studies throughout 2014. I’ll keep an eye out and will let you know when I spot them, and share on.
Media partner the Guardian Public Leaders Network, will feature nominees and winners with subsequent profiles and follow-up articles. Winners will also benefit from the opportunity to take part in the Guardian Public Leaders Network panel discussions and events.
How to enter
It’s being kept simple – use the Public Sector Communications Excellence Awards entry form and email to tell them about your exceptional communications programme. Email it to GCSawards@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk by 17 April 2014.
Rules for entry – ensure:
- Your entry has been signed off by the Director or Head of Communications for your organisation
- That you are content for this information to be shared with the participating professions and media partner the Guardian Public Leaders. Material from entries may be used in post-event publications and digital content to promote excellence and best practice in public sector communications. Where applicable entrants should clearly mark any sensitive information or parts of their entry as ‘not for publication’
- Entries should be for campaigns and programme activity undertaken during financial year 2013/14. Activity which is ongoing is eligible for consideration
- You have completed all sections of the form and return your entries by 17 April 2014 as incomplete entries will not be accepted
- Include a named contact (include email and telephone) for any follow-up queries.
Best of luck if you enter the awards.
Don’t forget that all internal communicators can benefit from The IC Space which has been launched by @UKGovComms. It’s a dedicated website jam-packed full of resources that are available for all communicators to access. See my article on it here for full information.
Rachel
Post author: Rachel Miller.
