Vetting Criteria
& Process
A transparent, rigorous, and fair assessment process — because the integrity of the awards depends on how we judge.
The Assessment Journey
From your first entry to the ceremony — here's exactly what happens.
Submit Entry
遞交申請Complete the entry form and upload supporting documents via the application portal.
Eligibility Check
資格審核HKCSS secretariat verifies eligibility and completeness within 2 weeks.
Round 1 Assessment
第一輪評審Panel scores your submission against published criteria via the judging portal.
Shortlist & Notification
入圍及通知3–5 finalists per category notified. Shortlist publicly announced.
Round 2 Presentation
第二輪評審Finalists present to the panel. Q&A coordinated via the judging portal.
Feedback
評審反饋All finalists receive structured written feedback from judges.
Ceremony
頒獎典禮Winners announced at the annual Champions for Good Gala Ceremony.
What the Panel Looks For
All categories are assessed against five core criteria. Weightings shown are indicative — category-specific rubrics are in the Award Guidelines.
Impact & Outcomes
30%Measurable, documented results for beneficiaries. Clear evidence that the programme makes a real difference. Quantitative and qualitative data both valued.
Innovation
25%Novelty and effectiveness of approach. Not just "doing more" — but finding smarter, better, or entirely new ways to address social challenges.
Collaboration
20%Working with others — across teams, organisations, sectors, or communities — to amplify results beyond what any single actor could achieve.
Sustainability
15%Long-term viability of the programme — financially, operationally, and in terms of continued relevance to the community it serves.
Learning & Sharing
10%How the organisation contributes to sector knowledge. Sharing learnings, documenting failures, and enabling peers to learn from their experience.
Fairness & Transparency
The awards process is designed to reflect the same values we celebrate: integrity, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Independent Judges
All judging panels are composed of independent professionals from outside the nominating organisations.
Conflict of Interest
Judges declare any conflicts of interest before the process begins. Affected entries are reassigned.
Structured Feedback
All Round 2 finalists receive written feedback from the panel — regardless of outcome.
Bilingual Assessment
Panels work in both English and Traditional Chinese to ensure no language disadvantage.
How Judges Access the Platform
Judges Portal
Judges access all submissions, scoring rubrics, and Q&A functionality via the secure judge portal. Login credentials are provided by the HKCSS secretariat.
🔐Judge Login ↗Not a judge yet? If you are a social sector professional interested in joining a judging panel for the 2026 cycle, please contact awards@hkcss.org.hk.