The category reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which places people at the heart of the development process and makes improving their quality of life a central objective of government policies, services, and initiatives.

The category targets entities that have successfully used government communication to support initiatives, policies, and services related to quality of life, translating institutional objectives into tangible outcomes for members of the community through clear messaging, effective communication channels, and innovative approaches that raise awareness, encourage participation, and contribute to sustainable development.

According to Her Excellency Alya Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the Emirate of Sharjah is rich in programmes and projects aligned with the category designated for the Emirate. She highlighted communication initiatives that have made government services more accessible, raised awareness of important issues, encouraged public participation, and supported policies that have made a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Her Excellency also noted that participation in the category provides government and semi-governmental entities in Sharjah with an opportunity to document their experiences and highlight their impact, thereby helping to transform successful local initiatives into inspiring global models.

The award highlights the impact of government services and policies by enhancing their ability to reach the public, respond to public needs, and engage the public in development processes, while building sustainable relationships based on trust and interaction. It also underscores the role of government communication as a partner in improving services and supporting public policies.

Multiple areas

The “Outstanding Communication Award for a Higher Quality of Life” category welcomes entries on sustainability, food security, public health, education, the environment, and community services, as well as initiatives that use digital technologies to improve public access to government services and information, and projects that engage community members in designing or developing government initiatives.

Entries may also include communication programmes that have contributed to the development of government services and the improvement of the public experience, or have brought about a positive change in public awareness and behaviour, provided that the initiative is linked to the entity’s services, policies, or programmes and that its impact directly contributes to quality of life in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Evaluation is not limited to the initiative’s reach or the extent of its media coverage. Instead, it focuses on evidence and indicators demonstrating the results achieved, including how effectively the initiative reached its target audiences, encouraged community participation, built trust, and improved the public experience.

Judging criteria

The judging criteria allocate 40% to results and impact, assessing the extent to which the initiative has achieved a tangible improvement in quality of life, sustainability, or food security, supported by evidence and measurable indicators.

A further 30% is allocated to strategy and planning, including the clarity of objectives, the communication planning methodology, and the extent to which the initiative aligns with the priorities of the Emirate of Sharjah. The final 30% is allocated to implementation, covering innovation in communication methods, the effectiveness of messages and channels, the level of community engagement, and the use of modern technologies.

Participation in the category provides government and semi-government entities in Sharjah the opportunity to document their experiences, showcase their teams’ efforts, and transform successful local initiatives into inspiring institutional models, demonstrating how government communication can support development, enhance services, and improve the quality of life for members of the community.

The award’s website, gca.sgmb.ae⁠, provides details of the 13th edition of the award, including its categories, participation requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission process.