Impact in Action Awards 2026 — nominations close 14 November 2026. Nominate now

Impact in Action Awards 2026

Judges & Governance

A transparent process that builds trust in the integrity and independence of the Awards — from eligibility screening to the final decision.

The judging panel

An independent panel — to be announced

The judging panel brings together experienced practitioners from investment, development, enterprise and civil society. Members will be published here once formally confirmed, together with their conflict-of-interest declarations.

How judging works

The process

From nomination to decision

1

Eligibility screening

Every nomination is checked against the category's eligibility rules.

2

Verification checks

Claims and evidence are verified where needed, including with nominees.

3

Independent assessment

Judges score nominations against the six criteria, declaring any conflicts.

4

Panel decision

The panel deliberates and agrees recipients through a documented process.

Assessment criteria

Six criteria, applied consistently

Scoring weights are approved and documented by the Awards committee before judging begins.

01

Impact & outcomes

Evidence of positive change and relevance to category.

02

Innovation

Originality, practicality and effectiveness.

03

Sustainability

Continuity, resilience and long-term value.

04

Inclusion

Reach, accessibility and consideration of underserved groups.

05

Scalability

Potential to expand or be adapted elsewhere.

06

Leadership & governance

Accountability, ethics and quality of execution.

Governance safeguards

Our commitments to a fair process

  • Judging panel
    An approved panel with documented roles and a designated chair.
  • Scoring weights
    Criteria weights approved and recorded before assessment.
  • Eligibility screening
    Consistent screening against published eligibility rules.
  • Conflict-of-interest declarations
    Judges declare conflicts and recuse themselves where required.
  • Verification checks
    Evidence and claims are verified proportionately.
  • Confidentiality rules
    Nominations are accessible only to authorised reviewers and judges.
  • Documented decisions
    Decisions are recorded through a clear, auditable process.
  • Complaints route
    Concerns can be raised in writing to info@stonezero.com.