Governance and evaluation
PBO Awards 2026 uses a two-tier evaluation structure: general eligibility criteria, then category-specific evaluation criteria. Every nomination is first vetted against the basic parameters below, then independently reviewed and scored against a structured evaluation matrix.
Eligibility criteria
Every nominated PBO must meet these statutory and operational benchmarks:
- Legal status
- Valid, active registration with PBORA.
- Public benefit test
- A recognised thematic public benefit focus, verifiable target groups and identifiable beneficiaries relevant to the award category, with zero private benefit.
- Statutory returns
- Up-to-date filing of annual reports and audited accounts.
- Governance structure
- A compliant board, with separation of powers (a distinct board separate from management).
- Operational period
- At least two consecutive years of active, verifiable programmatic operations within Kenya and in the specific award category.
- Good standing
- Zero active integrity violations, fraud or criminal investigations, or active sanctions.
How nominations are made
- Self-nomination: organisations may submit their own application with their impact data, compliance records and case studies.
- Peer nomination: sector players, networks or beneficiaries may nominate an outstanding PBO that has shown exceptional leadership or partnership.
Independent evaluation
Nominations are evaluated by an independent, multi-sector judging panel of seven members, including experts in civil society regulation, development partnerships, the private sector and corporate governance. The panel uses an objective 100-point evaluation matrix tied to the strategic pillars to select finalists and winners.
All judges sign legally binding conflict-of-interest disclosures and recuse themselves from nominations or categories linked to past employment or funding relationships. Sponsoring partners have no voting power and are fully firewalled from the evaluation and results. PBORA representatives serve only as ex-officio, non-voting secretariat members with no scoring rights.
Evaluation matrix
The panel scores every shortlisted PBO on five strategic pillars. The highest aggregate score wins the thematic category award.
| Strategic pillar |
Weight |
Evaluation focus |
| Compliance & Governance |
25% |
Baseline regulatory compliance, alignment with the PBO framework, visible institutional integrity, financial reporting and accountability mechanisms, public-facing feedback channels. |
| Socio-Economic Impact |
20% |
Sector-specific outcomes, positive transformational change, collective partnership-driven outcomes or amplified development that a single organisation could not have achieved alone. |
| Sustainability |
20% |
Financial resilience, diverse funding sources, localisation, environmentally conscious programming, and project or partnership longevity beyond immediate donor funding cycles. |
| Cross-Sector Collaboration |
20% |
Active, functional multi-stakeholder linkages, networks, partnerships and resource-sharing involving at least three distinct sectors (PBOs, National/County Government, private sector, development partners, local communities). |
| Innovation |
15% |
Adoption of creative local assets, technologies, operational models, partnership designs or specific solutions that are replicable or scalable. |
Flagship awards
The flagship awards are drawn from the top-performing category winners and cannot be nominated directly.
- Partnership of the Year (Collaboration Exemplar): outstanding performance in cross-sector collaboration involving government, PBOs and the private sector.
- PBO of the Year (New Dawn Exemplar): exceptional scores across all strategic pillars; up-to-date annual returns and audited accounts; a diverse board aligned with the PBO framework; diverse funding sources; active joint frameworks with National/County governments, the private sector or local communities; active contribution to peer learning, sector benchmarking or self-regulation; and impeccable corporate governance and public reputation.
