Nominations for first NGOs Awards rolled out as the NGO sector attracts Sh196 billion in funding

NGOs, civil rights leaders, journalists and celebrities with humanitarian courses to be honoured in inaugural event

Nairobi, Kenya – August 28, 2024- The much-anticipated NGOs Awards 2024 are set to take place on November 29th in Nairobi, bringing together the finest non-governmental organizations, journalists, celebrities, donors, public benefit initiatives and community champions across Kenya.

Nominations for the inaugural NGOs Awards opened today and will run through September 30th, 2024. Organisations and individuals can log in into www.ngosawards.com to nominate themselves or nominate others. The awards ceremony will be held on November 29^th and will recognise outstanding contributions in 23 categories (see below) with winners set to receive different prizes and a permanent badge for use in online and offline communication materials.

The categories will honour diverse organisations and people- from NGOs, journalists, celebrities with humanitarian causes to changemakers- with an aim of recognizing the tireless efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to improving lives, making a lasting impact on society.

The NGOs regulator, the Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority (formerly the NGOs Board) is at the forefront of this initiative. PBORA’s acting Director General Lindon Otieno expressed the importance of the awards adding that the sector received Sh196 billion in funding in 2023 and employed 79,350 people and is thus a significant player in Kenya’s development. A report released by the authority this year showed that North America formed 45.2% of the total inflows for NGOs followed by Europe with 38.6% while 21.7% of the funds received came from Africa.

The report, which is based on NGOs annual returns to the authority in 2023, showed that organizations that focus on health received 33.4% of the total funds donated and those focusing on Children and Relief followed at 11.1% and 10.23% respectively.Nairobi had the highest number of NGOs implementing projects at 1,192 NGOs, Kisumu (421) and Nakuru (385). Bomet (67) and Elgeyo Marakwet (71) had the least number of NGOs implementing projects there.

“The NGOs Awards 2024 thus offer a unique opportunity to shine a light on the incredible work being done by NGOs across Kenya. This is not just a celebration but a call to action, encouraging others to join in the mission of transforming our communities, he added. The regulator has partnered with Awesome Concepts Limited to hold the event.

Mr Leonard Ndungu, the Managing Director of Awesome Concepts Limited, the organisers of the event, said Nairobi was chosen because it is the hub of NGOs in the region and is at the core of humanitarian efforts.

“Changemakers are vital in society and their stories of resilience, innovation, and dedication serve as an inspiration to all Kenyans. This event aims not to just recognise changemakers and tell their stories, but also reward them,” he added.

The awards are generously sponsored by leading organizations such as Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority, Kenya Yearbook, Bonfire Adventures, Qatar Airways, Plan International, World Relief, Reel Informatics and Awesome Concepts Limited.

Categories of Awards