The Award may be bestowed upon an organization operating in the Middle East, Africa and Asia regions (as defined under UNHCR’s terminology) for outstanding work on behalf of the forcibly displaced. Organizations can either self-nominate or be nominated by other individuals or organizations.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, organizations must:

• – Be registered as a non-profit organization in their country of origin as per applicable legislation.
• – Be working on social and humanitarian programmes/activities for a minimum of one year prior to nomination.
• – Have declared that their values and conduct are compatible with TBHF and UNHCR’s values.
  1. 1. The organization should not engage in the design, manufacture, sale or distribution of armaments (including land mines and their components)
  2. 2. The organization should not engage in, uses, or tolerates, any practice inconsistent with the rights set forth in the Convention on the UN Rights of the Child
  3. 3. The organization should not violate sanctions established by the United Nations Security Council;
  4. 4. The organization should not be involved in the growing of tobacco or the manufacture of tobacco-related products
  5. 5. The organization shall refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on TBHF and UNHCR and/or the United Nations and from any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations or the mandate of UNHCR to ensure the protection of persons of concern
  6. 6. The organization shall take all appropriate measures to prevent sexual exploitation or abuse of anyone by its employees or any other person engaged or controlled by the organization
• – Be able to provide three references in the nomination form to verify the nominees’ work with refugee or displaced populations.
• – UNHCR current and former staff, as well as UNHCR current and former affiliate workforce, are not eligible for the Award.

Evaluation Criteria

The nominees Evaluation Criteria will be as follows:

• – Impact of their work in bringing about tangible benefits to target communities within refugee and displaced persons operations.
• – Innovative practices within programme and project activities, their implementation and the measures taken to ensure sustainability.
• – Gender sensitivity in the planning, implementation, and impact of the programme/initiative.
• – Sharing of good practices and good policies.
• – Demonstrable ability to address humanitarian gaps, especially in emergency situations and within challenging country contexts.

Selection Process

• The selection process is a collaborative effort between The Big Heart Foundation and The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and an assembly of guest members from various fields including academia, humanitarian, philanthropy, and private.
• The selection process includes various steps of experts advising, analysis and auditing.
• Selection details of the winner and finalists is confidential and information about the selection process remains undisclosed to applicants and the public.